Leadership

Candice Daulton has held multiple leadership roles across St. David's since she joined over 20 years ago. She started in Therapeutic Recreation via the Adventure program, moving her way up to supervise the program. From there, she went on to lead HR, then our Early Childhood Education program for nearly a decade. Recently, Candice stepped fulling into her current role of Organizational Development. Candice has had the opportunity to support many leaders and programs at St. David's, improving program sustainability, innovation, and cultivating leaders' growth and mentoring emerging leaders. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children in Blaine - whether being outside, exploring local events, or simply relaxing together. 

Carissa began her career at St. David's in 2007, and has worked in some capacity of Health Information Management since then. Over her time at St. David's, she has built a centralized Medical Records Management Department, held oversight of Intake and Scheduling for nearly a decade, acts as St. David's HIPAA Compliance Officer, and is actively pursuing her certification in Healthcare Privacy & Security. 

A proud native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Joy came to St. David's after more than twenty years in the retail industry, where she built a solid reputation for experience within a wide variety of marketing sectors. She's passionate about building and nurturing communities, and expanding mental health care access to as many people as possible.

Joy received a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California. She lives in Minnetonka with her husband and two children.

As director of facilities and risk management, Jayson puts the safety and security of our clients, staff, and guests as a first priority, and ensures that our buildings and grounds are well equipped and maintained. Jayson has 25+ years of nonprofit operations and management experience ranging from alleviating food scarcity to anti-trafficking work, serving on numerous boards and nonprofit executive teams.

Jayson has a bachelor’s degree in Christian Education, with a Youth Development emphasis, and a master’s degree in Theological Studies. He and his wife, Tarrah, currently reside in Minnetonka with their son and three daughters. 

Lissa Viana joined St. David's in 2024, moving to her current HR Director role in 2025. Lissa has a Finance degree as well as a Master's in International Relations. Her career has spanned HR roles in both nonprofit and corporate settings, beginning in 2006. Her career has provided her the opportunity to support many leaders and departments in creating inclusive, supportive work environments. She is passionate about empowering teams, inspiring leaders, and advancing people-centered practices that strengthen St. David's mission. Beyond the office, she finds joys in life's simple and meaningful moments with her partner and children - outdoor adventures, time with friends, and afternoon of baking, or quiet evenings on the back porch. 

As director of information technology, Emily is responsible for the oversight of St. David's Electronic Health Record and Reporting and IT systems/strategy. Emily began her career with St. David’s in 2007. Since her hire, she has been an asset to many teams, including Policy Training and Talent, Life-Phase Services, and Central Intake. Prior to St. David’s, Emily worked as a vocational rehabilitation specialist, providing workplace case management and support to adults with special needs.
 

Grace Wieczorek joined St. David's in 2021, and oversees recruitment, pipeline development, the internship program and DEIB initiatives. She earned her undergraduate degree and MBA in Organizational Development and Leadership from Southwest Minnesota State. Grace has a strong background in leadership development, compliance, process and project management. 

Jorge Becerra was born and raised in Ecuador until moving to the United States for his undergraduate and graduate degrees. He joined Cargill Inc. in 1999, where he served for 25 years in various leadership roles. Jorge's tenure at Cargill included 17 years of internaltional leadership roles in Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and Vietnam, before moving to Minneapolis in 2017. 

In 2025 Jorge joined Bailey Nurseries serving as Chief Executive Officer. Bailey Nurseries is a leading producer of ornamental, plants, shrubs and trees serving wholesale customers in North America, Asia and Europe.

Jorge's wife, Lulu, is from Mexico, and their sons, Juan Pablo and Diego, were born in Mexico and Singapore, respectively. Jorge is fluent in Spanish, English, and Portuguese. In his spare time enjoys cooking, reading, cycling, walking, and traveling.

Ann Lowry is a Clinical Professor of Surgery at the University of Minnesota, recently retired from practice of colorectal surgery. She maintains her longstanding involvement in surgical education and mentorship. Ann is passionate about high quality healthcare, children, education, and diversity. She and her family have been involved with St. David’s in several ways for over 35 years. Their children and grandchildren have benefited from St. David’s services. Ann and her husband enjoy their enlarging family as well as travel, gardening, and multiple outdoor activities.

Dr. Rafael Vasconcellos is a medical leader with over two decades of diverse experience spanning emergency field medicine, clinical direction, and corporate healthcare strategy. As Director of Medical Affairs for Philips North America, he provides a crucial clinical perspective to one of the world's leading health technology companies.

Prior to his current role, Dr. Vasconcellos served as Medical Director for Hospital Pró-Cardíaco in Rio de Janeiro and spent 13 years as a flight physician for the city's Fire Department Air Rescue Unit, performing over 300 medical evacuations. He began his American corporate career in Medical Affairs at UnitedHealth Group in 2014.

Originally from Brazil, Dr. Vasconcellos earned his medical degree in 2001. He now resides in Massachusetts with his family.

A North Dakota native, Garrett Tvinnereim graduated from the University of North Dakota with a degree in accounting. He started his career at Deloitte in Minneapolis and worked in their audit practice for 9 years. This was followed by a decade in various accounting and finance roles at two separate manufacturing companies prior to joining McGough Construction, where he has been the Financial Controller since 2019. McGough has been a long-term supporter of St. David’s Center and truly values St. David’s and the services they provide to so many children and families. Garrett lives in Edina with his wife and three sons.

Klerissa Church brings over 25 years of HR leadership and consulting experience, with a career that spans both U.S. and international markets and for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Her work is focused on driving growth, refining objectives, and achieving business results through people-focused strategies, organizational development, and talent management. Klerissa also volunteers her time helping college students and early career individuals navigate the exploration of career interests and prepare to enter the job market. Currently in her second term on the St. David’s Board of Directors, she is serving as the chair of the HR Committee and the Governance Committee. Her  bachelor’s degrees and her Master’s of Human Resources & Labor Relations were earned at Michigan State University. Klerissa and her husband John live in Orono, and enjoy spending time with their four children and four grandchildren. 

Lisa Bailey is a seasoned marketing and strategy executive with expertise in organizational growth, consumer insight, and cross-functional leadership. She has a long-standing commitment to mission-driven work and is passionate about supporting the impactful efforts of the St. David’s Center team. Lisa brings a collaborative, thoughtful approach to board service, drawing on her experience leading teams, shaping strategy, and aligning purpose with measurable impact. She enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and exploring the natural beauty of Minnesota.

Jim Eppel spent a short stint in public accounting upon graduation from St. Thomas University before landing in healthcare — somewhat by accident. He spent forty-four years doing richly rewarding executive leadership work within several healthcare organizations including HealthPartners, UCare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Optum, Allina, Medica, and more. As Jim puts it, he was blessed to have experienced a myriad of wonderful opportunities in mission-driven organizations, experiences he can carry into his work with St. David’s. Throughout this experience, Jim worked with, and has maintained relationships with, a wonderful array of people.  Jim and his wife Barb have two grown children and five grandchildren.

Nate served as the Senior Managing Director at Varde Partners and is a Board Level Investor and Board Member at Unmapped Brewing in Minnetonka. His professional experience includes more than 15 years as a fiduciary managing investments. Nate received his MBA from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Business in 2005. He lives in Minnetonka with his wife and three children.

Betsy began her career in marketing at Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine. In 2004, she moved to San Francisco to take a position with Gap's events marketing team, where she worked until 2006. From 2006 to 2012 Betsy worked at Target Corporation on their events marketing team, promoting the Target brand and their designer partnerships. Notably, Betsy was part of the team that pioneered the concept of the "pop-up" store, which was a strategy they employed in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. In 2012, Betsy decided to leave Target and pursue an entrepreneurial concept called Gusto blow dry bars. Betsy is actively involved in a number of charitable capacities at St. David's Center, chairing their annual gala and serving on the campaign committee for St. David's new center at Westminster Church in Downtown, Minneapolis. Betsy served on the Board of Directors for Planned Parenthood Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota from 2009 to 2014. Betsy is married to Benjamin Van Zandt Hawn and they have two children together.

Chelsea grew up in Orono and attended The Blake School prior to moving to the East Coast to attend Amherst College. She was a swimmer through college and pursued a double major in Psychology and Spanish. After graduation, Chelsea attended Boston College for a Master’s of Social Work degree before returning home to Minnesota to start her career. SHe is a clinical social worker currently working as a mental health clinician in the hospital setting. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her two children and husband exploring the outdoors and doing activities like swimming and hiking together. When she is not with her kids and have the opportunity, she enjoys scuba diving, reading, and creative projects.

Katie Liegel is a lawyer and certified information privacy professional. She studied Economics and International Finance at Tufts University and went on to focus her law school studies around corporate health care law, including serving as an editor of the Suffolk University Journal of Health & Biomedical Law. Katie has served on the Leadership Emergence and Development (LEAD) Project Board and the Minneapolis Club's Young Professionals board and can be found actively volunteering for a number of local organizations focused on children and animal welfare. Katie and her husband Matt live in Minnetonka with their two children, who attended St. David's Early Childcare Education Program.

Matt McDonald is a medical technology sales leader with Medtronic. Matt’s passion for ensuring accessibility to childhood development and family services stems from his daughter, Macy Rae, who has Down syndrome and is a proud daughter, sister to Margot, cousin to many, and grandchild. Inspired by Macy Rae’s unbelievable will to try, Matt and his family are eager to show the community the same support and access they have received at St. David’s Center, while bringing his diverse experience to our board. Matt and his wife Ashley are both graduates of St. Olaf College; Matt received a data-and-technology-driven MBA from Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management. He and his family currently live in Minnetonka.

Dr. Rhoda Mhiripiri-Reed has served in public education for over 20 years and currently serves as the Superintendent to the Hopkins Public School District. She worked as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal before attending Harvard University's new doctoral program in Education Leadership, which resulted in a doctoral residency with the District of Columbia Public Schools, building a principal training program. Dr. Mhiripiri-Reed lives with her husband Frank and their two children Sterling and Maddie.

Mariam Mohamed with two masters, has more than 30 years of Broad professional experience working with nonprofits, foundations, and public and private organizations. For the past 23 years Mariam has worked as an independent consultant with an expertise in program star-ups and turnarounds; assessments; plan implementation; strategic planning; and development systems implementations.

Undergirding Mariam’s work is her extensive experience of program analysis and evaluation in the private and nonprofit service arena. In addition to her extensive experience, Mariam is known as a trusted team member and builder of collaborative relationships among government, nonprofit, corporate, and community stakeholders.

Mariam is currently serving as a yearly contract consultant for DCYF. Mariam sits on the board of UCare and St David Center. She is also a co-owner of Hoyo, a company founded on the goal of employing and empowering refugee and immigrants. Mariam is a much-called-upon consultant and advisor to government, nonprofit/ profit agencies and local communities.

Colleen Ness is Director of Sales at Blommer Chocolate Company.  She has spent her career focused in food and nutrition, developing strategy, driving transformational change, managing internal and external stakeholder expectations, and developing and growing markets that drive P&L growth.  She is passionate about leadership, the power of influence, and developing and mentoring others to success.  She is a graduate of Indiana University Kelley School of Business.  Colleen lives in Orono with her husband, David, and daughter, Isla, who attended St. David’s Early Childhood Education program.  

James (Jim) Stewart is the Chief Financial Officer for Fusion Risk Management. He has extensive experience leading finance organizations in both public and private equity backed companies, with industry experience in software, services, and manufacturing, including risk and education technology SaaS, video software, human resource software and benefit solutions, voice and data services, and personal computing. Jim received his BSB and MBA in Finance from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management. He currently resides in Eden Prairie.

Chris Simmons is a Senior Vice President in UnitedHealth Group's corporate development group and is responsible for leading all M&A activity for the Company's OptumRx division. Since joining UHG in 2019, Chris has led over 25 M&A transactions across UHG’s Optum platform. 

Prior to UHG, Chris spent a decade at Lazard where he advised private equity firms, investors and entrepreneurs in connection with M&A transactions across a broad array of industries. Before Lazard, Chris was a Vice President at Morgan Stanley where he advised financial institution clients in connection with securitization transactions. 

Chris currently serves on the boards of directors of Education Loan Finance Inc, a bank holding company and student loan originator, in addition to St. Davids. Chris is a graduate of Georgetown University. 

Dr. Sweeney is a passionate advocate for child and family dynamics and development with a strong commitment to promoting the well-being of our community. With a background in psychodynamic psychotherapy, social work, education, and “peopling," she has dedicated her career to nurturing healthy family dynamics and ensuring children and parents have the support they need to thrive. She is particularly interested in all aspects of intergenerational transmission of trauma within individuals, families, communities, and systems. Her experience in organizational reflective practice and community connections has given her valuable skills to bring to her role on the St. David’s board. She is passionate about early childhood care and mental health support, and works diligently to advocate for increased access to vital resources and mental wellness education for families.

Dr. Nate Whittier is a Board Certified Business Psychologist and Partner with SKS Consulting Group. Nate has effectively partnered with a range of client organizations to enhance the quality of decision-making in the critical areas of leadership selection and development. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, and his Master’s of Business Administration and Doctor of Psychology degrees from Wright State University. He lives in Minnetonka with his three children, all who have benefitted from participation in St. David's Early Childhood Education program.
 

Ghia Worcester served as the Executive VP and Chief Growth Officer at UCare, where she spearheaded health care reforms and strategic initiatives across marketing, public relations, provider relations and public affairs.  With over 50 years in Minnesota's health care and nonprofit sectors, she has been a pivotal figure in developing and shaping policies to support disadvantaged communities.  Post-retirement, Ghita continues her impactful work by serving on boards like Portico Healthnet, Temple Israel Foundation and Mill City Commons.  Ghita took on the volunteer leadership role at Hoyo Sambusa, SBC where she currently serves as their CEO, leading the Somali-focused food processing company which employs new immigrant and first time US workers producing authentic Somali foods and sauces.  While Ghita's community-focused leadership earned her recognition, including a dedicated "Ghita Worcester Day' in Minneapolis upon her retirement from UCare, she continues to focus on ways to support the most vulnerable in our communities.  She and her husband Mark make sure to have time for travel and spending time with her five grandchildren.