Our Staff :

OUR TEAm

Come Join a Team Driven by Social Justice!

Administrative Staff

Katy Armendariz, (She/Her/Hers)

CEO

Katy began her social work career by working in post adoption services, reuniting birth parents and their adopted children. This work was personal and incredibly rewarding due to her own separation from her birth mother and trans-racial adoption. Katy obtained her B.A. in Sociology at Northern Illinois University in 2006 and completed her MSW as a Title IV-E Child Welfare Scholar from the University of Minnesota in 2009. Her professional experience has been in ARMHS services, Case Management, therapist in private practice, Program Director of CTSS and ARMHS, and later as founder and CEO of Minnesota CarePartner in 2013. Her life commitment is centered around advocacy for racial justice and the liberation of Black and Brown people, and actively working to dismantle systems of oppression through collective protest.

Stephanie Calloway (She/Her/Hers)

Billing Manager

Stephanie Calloway is a Minnesota transplant originally from the Magnolia state of Mississippi. She has worked in Revenue Cycle Management for over 15 years with the last 6 years primarily focusing on Mental Health and Substance Abuse here in the Twin Cities. Her experience spans far beyond the billing office as she is a member of various focus groups specifically centered around the impact of MH and Addiction in communities of color. Stephanie is passionate about ensuring that individuals needing services have access without the common barriers of insurance and funding. When not working, Stephanie enjoys hanging out with family, attending live MN Lynx games, traveling, shopping or just spending time reading a go.od book“I am so grateful to be apart of the Leadership team here at MN CarePartner. We are an organization striving daily to walk the walk in regard to our mission. Our staff care deeply about the BIPOC community and make it our business to create change and provide the needed services to help individuals and families live holistic lives by identifying and building upon inherent cultural strengths and addressing social barriers.”

Community Support Program Staff

Koya Siebie

Doula

Koya Siebie is a biologist from Atlanta, Georgia. She earned her degree from Georgia State University and relocated to Minnesota in 2019 to further her healthcare career. Her transition into birth work began in 2019 with the birth of her god daughter and she has since completed training with Enlightened Mama. She is currently pursuing her Master of Public Health at Saint Mary’s University, and Evidence Based Childbirth education certification with Holistic Continuum. Koya’s passion for birth work and accessibility for all led to the creation of Birthin’ Black LLC; a collective of birth workers who emphasize fighting disparities in minority groups. Birthin’ Black services persons of all races, abilities, sexual orientations and socioeconomic backgrounds. I aim to provide my clients with adequate education, advocacy and preparation for their birthing experience.

Trista Miest

Digital Navigator

My name is Trista Miest and I was born in Mason City, Iowa. I moved quite a bit as a child, but I mostly grew up in Minnesota. I completed college in Mankato, MN where I obtained my Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services. I am passionate about human services and I have worked in the field for over 10 years. My most recent experience has been in case management in the Twin Cities. In my free time I enjoy spending time with family/friends, hiking, and photography.

Julia Rodriguez

Parenting Coach/Advocate

Julia was born in Chihuahua, Mexico and moved to the United States when she was 4 years old. She has completed a B.A in Psychology from Winona State University, and is currently enrolled as an MSW student at Augsburg University. Julia is bilingual in English and Spanish, and has worked with the hispanic and other minority communities across several internship and employment opportunities since 2016. She is motivated and passionate in working with youth and adults, and helping them work through mental health issues through a strengths-based lens. When she is not working, Julia is usually studying for her Masters and enjoying hobbies in photography, playing the guitar, and finding new local shops in her area.

Ikal Avila

Parenting Coach/Advocate

Ikal Avila (pronounced E-Call; She/Her/Hers) is from Guatemala and was raised in Los Angeles, CA. She moved to Minnesota in 1999. In 2017, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in both psychology and Chicanx-Latinx Studies. She also did her Pre-Law Scholars Program at the UMN in 2017. Ms. Avila is featured in a documentary called Patient No More (2020) and she was awarded the Community Excellence Award in 2018 for her participation in the planning team for the Queer and Trans Indigenous People and People of Color Conference. She is, currently, working towards her Community Equity Program (CEP) housed out of the Wilder Foundation. Her hopes is that there could be a legislation that could end the trans panic legal defense in Minnesota; and, that Medical Assistance could offer other transgender affirmation/confirmation surgeries; for example, Voice Feminization Surgery to be covered in Minnesota. She is super thrilled to be part of the Minnesota Care Partner. and she will be working as a Mental Health Coordinator. In the long run, she wants to be a either a Counselor or a Therapist in the near future. Ikal is dedicated, innovated, and motivated to raise transgender awareness, and policies that are affecting people of color in their daily lives.

Veronica Swen

Parenting Coach/Advocate

Hello! My name is Veronica Swen and I am currently working as a Parenting Coach in Families Forward position with MNCP. I graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Criminology and a Minor in Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies. I have participated in many groups and community services through which I have come to understand the importance and excitement for helping people. Also, gained other experiences and knowledge from working with people who are mentally impair. Also gained experiences from working with people from different racial groups. I am passionate about helping people and building a meaningful, respectful, and impactful community where people will feel safe and equal without them being judged on the color of their skills, race, sexual orientation, sexual identity, nationality, and so forth. Also passionate about helping people find solutions to their problem. Another fun fact about me is, I am a certified CPR and a Sexual Assault Advocate.

Elizabeth Faison, Enlightened Iridologist, E-RYT 200, CMT

Trauma Informed Yoga Instructor

https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-faison-12a528156/

Roots Recovery Staff

Annette Pearson, LADC, CBIS

Treatment Director

Annette is a Wisconsin native who moved to Minnesota after completing her Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling at the University of Wisconsin. She has been licensed as an alcohol and drug counselor since 1998 and became a certified brain injury specialist in 2000. Annette is passionate about breaking down barriers, changing attitudes and ending the stigma in systems around substance use disorder. She is accomplished in the areas of research, curriculum development, management, outreach, workshop facilitation and teaching. She has built partnerships, developed programming, and provided education to DHS, DOC, DOE and other helping professionals specific for individuals with SUD and cognitive disabilities. Annette reinforces that the client is the expert, and that treatment needs to fit the client, not the other way around. She practices using empowering, strength based, client centered, DBT and CBT strategies. She has taught at universities and conferences all over the US. In all capacities of her work, Annette brings solution focused, fresh strategies and positive attitude. She enjoys sitting with her cat, reading, traveling, music, hiking and has been known to break out in a dance when happy.

Natasha Mitchell, MA

Intake Coordinator

Natasha is a native of Minneapolis, Minnesota. She has served in the Twin Cities for almost 6 years assisting those who struggle with addiction and mental health concerns. Natasha holds a Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology, graduated in 2016. She has helped individuals secure funding while finding placement in both inpatient / outpatient treatment, MAT services and coordination of care.

Mikare Michira, ADC-T

Alcohol & Drug Counselor

Mikare is an Alcohol and Drug Counselor at Roots Recovery Intensive Outpatient Program. Mikare is a recent graduate from Century College in with her Associates Degree in Addiction Counseling. She is currently pursuing her Bachelors of Social Work at Metropolitan State University. Mikare is dedicated to supporting individuals in recovery in a person-centered approach that is genuine with a safe environment for clients to grow in. Mikare is passionate about social justice and being an advocate for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals.

Victoria Lindley, ADC-T

Substance Use Disorder Counselor

Victoria is a California transplant to rural Minnesota. She came to Minneapolis to pursue education and after 6 years here, she has no plans to leave. She holds a Bachelors degree in Alcohol and Drug Counseling from North Central University. Victoria is passionate about serving people and being an advocate for individuals who need it most. She has previously worked with teens struggling with mental health and has been a part of the SUD field for almost 2 years. As a newer counselor, Victoria brings a fresh and welcoming energy to her work and believes in client centered practices.

Rashad Hameed, MA LADC

Substance Use Disorder Counselor

Rashad is a native of Harlem, New York and a recovering heroin addict with over 30 years of sobriety. He has served the twin cities and surrounding areas for more than 30 years through his work as a Licensed Alcohol & Drug counselor/manager in a community based culturally-specific treatment organization and as a Supervisor in Adult & Juvenile Probation in Dakota and Ramsey Counties respectively. Rashad holds the professional license of LADC, which he uses to support individuals, couples, families and communities with Substance Use Disorder services. In all capacities of his work Rashad brings a culturally specific perspectives and clarity of vision that empower clients to reach new milestones in their growth and development. Rashad is passionate about social justice and repairing the harm that institutional racism has created in the communities he serves and lives in.

Jimmy Quach, LADC

LADC / Clinical Trainee

Jimmy is a Colorado native who has been living in Minnesota for the past 8 years. He attended the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities for both his undergraduate and graduate degrees, recently graduating with his Master's degree in Integrated Behavioral Health. He has been in the mental health and treatment field for the past four years and has been a licensed alcohol and drug counselor since 2018. Jimmy is currently working on his Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor track. He utilizes a person-centered, strengths-based framework to support individuals (adults and children) of all ages, backgrounds, and cultures. Jimmy has areas of interests including healing from trauma, perfectionism, and addressing mental health/substance use through a holistic approach. In his free time, Jimmy enjoys science fiction, video games, and spending time outside hiking, running, and camping.

Susie Pierce, BS, CPRS

Certified Peer Recovery Specialist

Susie is from Superior, Wisconsin, but has now been in the cities for more years than she lived in her hometown. Susie received a BS degree in Business Administration and Psychology, from the University of WI-Superior. She worked for over 25 years in Retirement Services before making a career change in 2016. After attending IOP programming herself, she discovered her true calling was in helping others in recovery. She went through Peer Support Training in 2017 and received her certification. She worked as a Peer Support Specialist, meeting with peers, facilitating peer groups and co-facilitating a family group at her last job. Susie has several years experience working with peers with co-occurring disorders. Susie loves working with Peers and helping them find their own pathway to recovery. She shares her own lived experience, providing emotional support and helping connect peers to recovery resources. She meets with clients and can accompany them to support groups as well as other activities that may arise. In her off time Susie loves reading, movies and swimming. She loves all animals, with a special fondness for cats. While she has three cats of her own she is adamant that this does not mean she is a "crazy cat lady".

J Gold

Intern

J (they/them) grew up in the Chicago area. They have worked in chemical health and community education in the twin cities since 2016, and are pursuing their MSW and LADC at Augsburg University. J brings an intersectional feminist and community strengths-based approach to working with individuals, families, and groups. J believes that social oppression and historical trauma impact our mental health and relationships, the stories we tell shape our lives and relationships. When J is not working they enjoy crafting, gardening, and spending time with their cats, Dount and Xan, and their dog, Paul.

Rosmarie Dauth

Rosmarie is a native of Bavaria, Germany. After living in England for 5 years, while completing her graduate work in chemistry, she moved to Minnesota in 2002. She spent a decade in research and another decade serving the general public, before starting a dual master’s program in social work and alcohol and drug counselling. During her foundation year internship, she served clients with severe persistent mental illness in a supported employment program. The frequency of co-occurring chemical use disorder within her client constituency reinforced her resolve to integrate chemical and mental health in her practice. After her internship she welcomed the opportunity to serve in the transitional housing program of the same agency. This gave her an opportunity to learn more about how mental illness shows up differently in the in an individual’s vocational life, group life, and their housing life. Her therapeutic interests lie in trauma, somatic, and wilderness intervention methods. She loves exploring the outdoors by foot and canoe, enjoys arts, and entertaining. Her superpower is napping.

Stephanie Brey, LPCC

Mental Health Professional

Stephanie graduated from the University of Iowa’s Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling masters program in 2017 and has since worked in mobile crisis outreach counseling, case management, and Assertive Community Treatment, largely serving people with serious and persistent mental health diagnoses. She is passionate about empowering people to see and appreciate their unique strengths, connecting through empathy and curiosity, and building collaborative relationships with the people she serves. She practices using elements of CBT, harm reduction, motivational interviewing, and always person-centered care. You’ll find her laughing, subconsciously singing jingles she just made up, and gazing at the night sky.

Mental Health Practitioners Staff

Kahmiyah Anderson

CTSS Supervisor

Kahmiyah is currently working towards receiving her MA from Saint Marys University and is expected to graduate in Spring 2021. She utilizes a humanistic approach that includes aspects of CBT, strengths-based, and person-centered approaches. Kahmiyah believes it is important for clients to feel empowered in their therapeutic journey and towards reaching their full potential. Kahmiyah is passionate about working with children and families in underserved communities. As well as actively working towards closing the accessibility gap in mental health services and the disparity gap in education in these communities. Kahmiyah enjoys collecting and growing house plants, as well as learning more about plant/nature-based therapy. She is striving towards being able to merge her passion for children and mental health with plants/nature.

Abbi Rawls, LSW

ARMHS & CTSS Practitioner

Abbi was born and raised in Minneapolis, MN. From a very young age, she had the desire to be a Social Worker. She has held her LSW for two years now, and has been working as a Mental Health Practitioner and ARMHS Worker at MN CarePartner for the last 7 months. Prior to that, she was an ILS worker and ARMHS worker at a different company. Abbi is passionate about social justice and police reform, and volunteers her extra time helping those who are unsheltered in our community.

Autumn Wilson, B.A.

Mental Health Practitioner

Autumn was born and raised in the small town of Dalbo, Minnesota with a large family of six brothers and two sisters. She still resides in the area with her four horses and three cats. After graduating from Concordia University in 2018 Autumn began working with Minnesota CarePartner as a mental health practitioner. She travels the north metro area providing children's therapeutic services and supports. Autumn is continuing her education through Saint Mary's University with the goal of becoming a licensed professional clinical counselor. Once she is licensed Autumn hopes to begin practicing Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.

Courtney Pokela (She/Her/Hers)

Mental Health Practitioner

Courtney has been working with Minnesota CarePartner for three years as a Mental Health Practitioner providing home- and community-based services to clients with mental illness. Along with this experience, she has an extensive background in delivering quality care to clients in the home health/group home setting as a Direct Support Professional. The types of clientele that would receive her care had a wide variety of health issues which include both mental and physical needs. Courtney continues to find reward in assisting her clients at Minnesota CarePartner. She will continue to gain knowledge in the field of mental health and offer her professional services throughout the north metro/metro areas. Language or Cultural Specialty: English

Nicole Kjoberg

ARMHS Worker

Nicole is a native of Minnesota. Nicole has been working on the mental health field for over15 years. Nicole works with adults and provides supportive services focused on increasing independence and self confidence for all.

Jonah Busch

Mental Health Practitioner

Jonah is a native of St. Paul, Minnesota and alumni of Central High School. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Jonah is coming directly from a crisis residential setting where he supported many at a time in need. Jonah is grateful for the experience and excited to extend his influence to the youth. Jonah has a strong sense of community and intends to create positive change in his environment. He is passionate about equity and uplifting marginalized populations. Jonah dreams of a career rooted in social and environmental justice. Jonah loves to be in nature, listen to music, experience different cultures and connect with others. Jonah has a deep-seated love for humanity and his Mother Earth!

Pader Yang

Targeted Children's Mental Health Case Manager

Pader (she/her/hers) is a Hmong-American woman, who was born and raised in Minnesota. She graduated from Metropolitan State University and graduated with her Bachelors of Social Work and minor in Child Psychology. She has experience working with children and families for over 3 years as a teacher assistant and adoption social worker. Pader plans to pursue her MSW in the near future. She is diligent in her career work and passionate about social justice, dismantling systematic oppression, and advocating for marginalize communities. Pader is bilingual in Hmong and English.

Benjamin Knutson

Mental Health Practitioner

Benjamin is a native to Brooklyn Park, MN. He currently resides in rural Pine City where he provides both individual/family CTSS services to surrounding communities within a 50 mile radius for the last 12yrs. During this time he's established himself within the tri County area (Isanti, Chisago, Kanabec ) as the preferred Practitioner. Benjamin also contributes his time, resources, and energy into developing social skills groups within the communities he serves.

Ravaughn Perry

Mental Health Practitioner

Ravaughn is a native of Minneapolis Minnesota. He has served within the twin cities and surrounding areas for the Minnesota National Guard for six years. Ravaughn has a bachelor's in psychology and is currently enrolled to receive his master's in clinical counseling. Which he'll use to continue to provide mental health services to marginalized communities. Ravaughn is passionate about improving access to mental health care with cultural competency while breaking the stigma against mental health

Therapist Staff

Eric Ly (He/Him/His)

Mental Health Clinical Trainee

I am a native from France and I have been living in the twin cities for over 23 years now. I recently graduated with a Masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University and have been serving the twin cities community for more than 18 years through my work in education, insurance and mental health services. I am currently on track for a LPCC licensure. In my work as a therapist, I use an integrated and systemic approach including dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), focusing on building a safe and positive rapport with my clients. I greatly enjoy working with individuals of a wide variety of backgrounds, ages and cultures, and I have a special interest in trauma work. I also speak fluently Hmong, French and English

Adenike Chon, LGSW

Clinical Therapist Trainee

Adenike is a Licensed Graduate Social Worker raised in Saint Paul, Minnesota, who currently consults on a plethora of diverse projects including: inclusion, leadership development, health, wellness, and mental health supports. She’s a member of the Quality Improvement team at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, a parent leader with Family Voices of Minnesota and passionately involved with other racial and equity building endeavors. Nationally, she has served in the Collaborative for Improvement and Innovation Network and the American Academy of Pediatrics as a Parent Advisor. As a graduate of Class 34, Partners in Policymaking and PACER Family Leadership Training, she also served on the Minnesota Department of Education’s Special Education Advisory Panel and is ZEO of a Wellness at Zeal Life. Adenike holds a bachelor’s in psychology and a masters in healthcare and human services administration.

Jade Wilcek, MS, NCC

Clinical Therapist Trainee

My name is Jade and I identify as a heterosexual Native American and Caucasian female. I am passionate about helping others discover how strong they are even when they don’t see it. This world can be a difficult place with relationships, family, and day to day stress. Having the skills to maneuver through it can be empowering. I want to help my clients to advocate for themselves and know that not being okay, is okay. I have a Masters degree in Mental Health Counseling from Minnesota State University, Mankato. I am a National Certified Counselor (NCC). I am currently working to be a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) and a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC). I have experience working with clients who are dealing with depression, anxiety, substance abuse, trauma, anger, and complications of the criminal justice system.

Demetria McGrone, LSW

Targeted Case Manager

Demetria is a native of Minneapolis, Minnesota. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work and holds the professional license of LSW. She hopes to start graduate school soon to obtain an MSW to be a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW). Her calling is empowering youth through their journey. Demetria believes that children, youth, and their families all have strengths, resources, and the ability to recover from adversities. Demetria utilizes a strength-based approach that allows one to learn, grow, transform, see opportunities, hope, and solutions. Demetria focuses on strengths, goals, desires, interests, aspirations, talents, knowledge, and resiliency. Demetria believes it is essential to collaborate between different community care providers embracing mutuality and partnership. Demetria focuses on viewing communities as an oasis of potential resources instead of an obstacle. Demetria is passionate about promoting social justice, advocating for marginalized groups, dismantling systemic racial oppression, and raising awareness of the importance of mental health. Demetria enjoys traveling, gardening, baking, reading, and crocheting in her free time.