Steven Sichender– Chair of the Board. A long-time local attorney and 40-year resident of the City of Wyoming, Sicheneder retired from his law practice five years ago. He is a past member of the board of directors for the Minneapolis Legal Aid Society and currently serves as president of The Friends of the Giese Memorial Library in Wyoming as well as the Age Well Board of Directors.

Leilani Freeman– Vice-Chair of the Board, has served as a Chisago Age Well Community Connector for more than five years, informing older adults, their caregivers, and community groups about available resources and Age Well educational programs. A long-time area resident, she retired in 2015 from Fairview Health Services. Her 26-year communications and marketing career at Fairview was preceded by 22 years as a reporter and editor at the Chisago County Press. She enjoys exploring local history and has edited and helped write two volumes, the Lindstrom centennial book, Lindstrom on the Lake, and The History of Chisago County.

Rahsa Bale– Treasurer of the Board, A member of the Chisago Age Well Coalition since its inception in 2016, Bale currently serves as the chairperson of both the Coalition and the Chisago Age Well Board of Directors. She moved from Oklahoma to southern Chisago County in 2010 and has been employed with Second Harvest Heartland since 2011. As the Neighbor Services Care Center Supervisor,  Bale has been bringing knowledge of the SNAP program and Senior Food Box program since 2016.

Natalie Matthewson– Secretary of the Board, As Community Development Supervisor with Central Minnesota Council on Aging (CMCOA), Matthewson works closely with community providers and coalitions focused on services and supports for older adults and those who care for them. She is certified in Minnesota as a Licensed Professional Counselor and has worked in the human services field for over 27 years. Matthewson has been part of the Chisago Age Well Coalition since community conversations began in 2016.

Shelley Beckman is a resident of Chisago County and has 30 years of focused experience in public service through community relations and different facets of the judicial system. Currently, Shelley is the Residency Counselor at Gable Pines At Vadnais Heights, managed by Life Care Services; a Motivational Speaker presenting “Joy In the Mourning” providing estate and end-of-life education, advocacy, and empowerment to plan for the unexpected and certainty of death; and an End-of-Life Doula, offering non-medical support to dying people, their families, and their caregivers.

Bryan T. Brown is a Gulf War Air Force Veteran, he served from December 1981 to June 1992. He was in education for 23 years. Five of those years were as a high school principal. Bryan as been the Chisago County Veterans Service Officer (VSO) for five years. He ensures veterans and their families know about veterans benefits and how they might be eligible for benefits. In his free time he enjoys spending time with family including 14 grandchildren.

Emily Carlson– has spent most of her career working with seniors and their families to provide resources and services that help them live a fulfilling and healthy life right here in Chisago County. Emily has been with the Chisago Age Well Coalition since its conception, and currently serves on the board as a community member. Emily also helps plan and coordinate the annual Age Well Expo, and manages the Coalition’s website and social media content. Emily is a lifelong resident of Chisago County, and spends most of her free time with her two daughters. In 2021 she changed careers from healthcare to education, and is now working as a Special Ed Job Coach at the Chisago Lakes High School.

Molly Carlson– has served seniors in the East Central community for more than 15 years in a variety of roles including marketing, sales, community relations and adult day director.  In addition, Molly served on the North 65 Chamber Board for 3 terms and has facilitated a community Alzheimer’s support group for the past 5 years.  Currently Molly is the Executive Director of Rushseba Senior Living in Rush City where she is bringing her experience and expertise not only to residents and families, but to the greater community of Rush City and surrounding areas.

Mariette Eichten Hoefler-was born and raised in Center City Minnesota and moved back 5 years ago. Mariette enjoys spending time with her 5 children; 3 grown and 2 teenagers. Mariette took over her parent’s cheese shop, locally known as Eichten’s. The shop evolved into a deli with specialty sandwiches; and eventually a Bistro. After leaving Eichten’s, Mariette became certified in Business Education and taught in schools.  Mariette went on to become the Director at Sylvan Learning Center. Currently she is a community liaison with Hospice of the Midwest. She offers care advocacy in the Northeast region of MN communicating between family facilities, social workers, and case managers, and the Hospice of the Midwest team on behalf of the patient or resident on our services.  Mariette is honored to join the Chisago Age Well Coalition Board to improve the access to services, events and improve the wellbeing of our precious community members.  

Jordan Thompson– has been working in the senior living landscape since fall of 2015. He worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) for 5 Years, four of those years spent as a float across 20 different Presbyterian Homes Campuses. In Spring of 2020 he graduated from St. Mary’s University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Care Management. In December of 2020 he accepted the position of Housing Director for Riverwood Village, an independent senior living located in Cambridge MN, where he worked until September 2022, when he accepted the position of Sales and Marketing Manager (Senior Living Consultant) for Ecumen North Branch. He is a father of two (age 4 & 6) and set to marry in September of 2024! Jordan enjoys anything outdoors! Fishing, Kayaking, traveling the BWCA, Golfing, Hunting and so on! And he is also involved in two Men’s Ministries (Marked Men for Christ, & Fight Club).