Meet the Collaborative Board Members

  • Penny Messer

    Isanti County Health and Human Services, Division Leader

    My name is Penny Messer and I am currently the Health and Human Services Division Leader which encompasses Family Services, Public Health and Veteran’s Services. I have held the director role in Isanti County for almost 14 years. I have been in County Government for 32 years. My passion is collaborating with other entities to produce the best results in services for those that we serve. I am or have been involved in the Children’s Justice Initiative as Chair, Vice President of Northstar Family Advocacy Center, Isanti County Collaborative, Public Health Commission, Outlook Clinic, Correctional Advisory Committee, County Safety Committee as Co-Chair and many other important committees. In my spare time, my husband and I enjoy spending time with family; especially our three grandchildren.

  • Nate Rudolph

    Cambridge-Isanti School District Superintendent

    This collaborative provides a great opportunity to work together on behalf of students and families in our county and region. As a school district, we greatly appreciate the efforts by all of our collaborative partners to support students and families to be healthy, happy, and productive citizens within our communities.

  • Marjanae McGowan

    Isanti County Health and Human Services, Division Operations Supervisor and Collaborative Coordinator

    The amount of good this committee wants to accomplish for Isanti County is remarkable; being able to take part of their important mission and work fuels my passion to create a resilient community that supports one another through challenging obstacles. No family or child should be without their basic needs nor access to services and supports and this committee is truly committed to working to fill those gaps for a stronger tomorrow.

  • Lanie Janke

    Therapeutic Services Associates, Inc: Executive Director

  • Tim MacMillan

    Isanti County Probation Director

    I have been with Isanti County probation since 2008. I like to collaborate around ideas that will have positive impacts on our youth and families in Isanti County. I am also the Chair of the North Branch School Board and was a long time board member of Family Pathways. The Collaborative is important to me because it makes key decisions and the funding helps target services for our at risk youth that face Truancy challenges in our local schools and on-line learning environments.

  • Tanya Tacker

    Rum River Special Education Cooperative, Director of Special Education

    This collaborative is a community. There is a true feeling of fellowship. The individuals in this collaborative share common goals to improve families, schools, and other organizations within the community. It is a true honor and privilege to be a part of it.

  • Mike Warring

    Isanti County Commissioner

  • Kenneth G. Gagner

    Braham Area Schools Superintendent

    Working with the Collaborative is truly rewarding. It’s a group dedicated to improving the lives of our most valuable resource - our people!

  • Julie Hanenburg

    Lighthouse Family and Children Services, Executive Director

  • Denise Stewart

    Lakes and Pines, Executive Director

  • Mark Jensen

    Isanti County Health and Human Services, Fiscal Supervisor

  • Kristi LaRowe

    Isanti County Commissioner

Meet the Collaborative’s Sub-Committee

  • Marjanae McGowan

    Isanti County Health and Human Services, Division Operations Supervisor and Collaborative Coordinator

    The amount of good this committee wants to accomplish for Isanti County is remarkable; being able to take part of their important mission and work fuels my passion to create a resilient community that supports one another through challenging obstacles. No family or child should be without their basic needs nor access to services and supports and this committee is truly committed to working to fill those gaps for a stronger tomorrow.

  • Ahnnica Baade, MA, LPCC

    School-Linked Mental health Program Director, Lighthouse Child & Family Services

    This collaboration is important to me because adults with shared values and hopes need to be interactive in order to meet the needs of community members. The more connected the larger systems are, the more the gaps in needs are reduced. I strongly believe in reducing barriers to any types of supports and services an individual might need.

  • Cassie Diebeler

    Northstar Family Advocacy Center

  • Dawn VanHees

    Community Services Director & Agency Planner, Lakes and Pines CAC, Inc.

    I have worked for Lakes and Pines for 17 years, starting with the Early Childhood Family Department servicing in the Head Start program. I have spent the past 4.5 years working in the COmmunity Services Department as the Director. THis department works with the VITA Tax program, doing application assistance for SSI (for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness), SNAP and MNSure. Our department helps with homelessness and housing programs. We have a Respite program for Seniors who are experiencing Alzheimers and Dementia and a Grocery Delivery program for seniors. I have lived in Isanti for 27 years and my family history goes back to earlier than 1923 in Isanti. I am a wife, mother, and grandmother.

  • Debbie Lawrence

    Isanti County Probation

  • Jenna Furlong

    Northstar Family Advocacy Center

  • Kim Goodmanson

    Early Childhood Coordinator, Cambridge-Isanti Schools

    Being a part of a team that brings people from different agencies together, for a common goal, strengthens our community. We can do so much more together!

  • Lori Auers

    Early Childhood Coordinator, Braham Area Schools

    I am excited to play a part in creating an atmosphere of support for families. Working together, we can help sustain a happy healthy Isanti County.

  • Nicki Knalderud, MAOL

    Manager. Community Engagement. Cambridge Medical Center, part of Allina Health

    I get my energy from building positive relationships in the community. It is important to me to be involved in community projects, committees, and coalitions that impact my community. My passion is to build and support community health initiatives that take a prevention-driven approach to health that focus on mental well-being, life balance, and staying socially connected.

  • Savanna Hall

    Shelter Case Manager, New Pathways, Inc

    I have always been passionate about helping struggling children and families to achieve stability and growth. Helping to teach and guide children while also supporting their parents and guardians can have a lasting and effective impact on their lives and be the difference between thriving and just surviving.

  • Amber Strom

    Cambridge-Isanti High School, Counselor

    I am a high school counselor at Cambridge-Isanti High School and this is my second year at CIHS. I am excited to be a part of this committee because I feel that collaboration with community resources only helps to build a successful support network for families. When I worked in Ogilvie, one of my favorite things to d was to attend various county meetings to build relationships with other providers.