Special thanks to our Conference Planning Committee
Wendy Potraz | Northwest Technical College
Roxanne Hayenga | Minnesota West Community and Technical College
John Fick | Sanford Bemidji
Sofiya Podberetskaya | Sanford Bemidji
Lucinda Charston | Indian Health Services
Shari Dean | Southwestern MN Opportunity Council
Christine Bullerman | Sanford Worthington
Luz Duvall | Minnesota West Community and Technical College
Emily Matson | Minnesota Community Health Worker Alliance
Rachel Stoll | Minnesota Community Health Worker Alliance
Morning Plenary
Demonstration Grants: Inspiring Results from Three Rural CHW Model Programs in Minnesota
Anne Ganey, MPH has a wide variety of experience working in health care, government, higher education and nonprofits. She has managed regional and statewide programs and organizations; developing, funding, managing, supervising and evaluating them. She is an author of the Minnesota Community Health Worker Certificate Program and has taught it at several community colleges. She is a Senior Consultant with the Minnesota Community Health Worker Alliance.
Tasha Martell is a Community Health Worker from Bemidji, Minnesota, and is tribally enrolled in the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians. She has worked as a Community Health Worker for 1 year and 5 months and earned her CHW certification from Northwest Technical College in Bemidji. Tasha is passionate about empowering communities by helping people gain the knowledge, resources, and tools they need to manage their health and well-being. She is dedicated to building trusting relationships with clients, ensuring they feel heard, respected, and supported, while advocating for health equity and addressing social needs such as housing, food access, transportation, and other barriers to healthcare. Tasha is especially proud of having the opportunity to speak at the Minnesota State Capitol in celebration of Community Health Worker Day and values being able to make a difference in people’s lives through her work each day. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, playing in dart leagues, and simply enjoying time with the people she cares about.
Mohamed Ibrahim, MBBS, CHW, is the Regional Director at WellShare International, where he leads Community Health Worker programs, community-clinic partnerships, and initiatives that improve access to culturally responsive healthcare across southern Minnesota. He earned his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) and worked as a physician in Somalia before transitioning to community and population health leadership in the United States. His experience spans clinical care, public health, care coordination, social drivers of health, telehealth access, and program development for immigrant, refugee, and underserved communities. Mohamed has led the implementation and evaluation of innovative CHW programs that strengthen partnerships between healthcare systems and community organizations. He is committed to advancing the CHW workforce through quality improvement, evidence-informed practice, and sustainable, community-centered models of care.
Breakout Session A Presenters
Changing the Sexual and Reproductive Health
Landscape as CHWs
Ellen Saliares is a grant manager with the Minnesota Department of Health’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Services grant program. She has over ten years’ experience working in community health, sexuality education and sexual and reproductive health including with certified-CHWs delivering sexual and reproductive health services. In addition to training staff in her previous roles as the Director of Sexuality Education at the Annex Teen Clinic and Director of Maternal and Child Health at WellShare International, Ellen has trained educators in evidence-based curricula and provided training on best practices in sexuality education for non-sexuality educators in spaces including SXSWEdu, YIPA, and the MN Beacons Network. She is a trainer for the It’s That Easy! parent education program.
Shari Dean serves as the Health Services Director for SMOC Health Services. She brings over seven years of experience in community health, specializing in sexual and reproductive health education for both clients and healthcare staff. Prior to joining SMOC, Shari worked as a Public Health Nurse with Nobles County Public Health in the Maternal and Child Health program.
Recognizing the significant need for support among young families, Shari collaborated with a Social Services Case Manager to establish a Teen Parent Group, providing education, resources, and support to adolescent parents. Since joining SMOC, she has further developed her understanding of the vital role Community Health Workers (CHWs) play in improving access to sexual and reproductive healthcare, health education, and community-based support services.
Shari is passionate about advancing health equity, reducing barriers to care, and empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their health and well-being through education, collaboration, and compassionate care.
The Art and Science of Vaccine Conversations
Sarah Spah is a nurse specialist in the Vaccine Preventable Disease Section at the Minnesota Department of Health. She provides vaccine clinical guidance, consultation, education, and various outreach activities. Sarah completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at the Viterbo College in La Crosse, WI, and her Master of Science in Nursing at the University of Minnesota. She has over 30 years of nursing experience, mainly in public health nursing. She has worked in the areas of immunizations, cancer prevention, tuberculosis, health screenings, and was integral in the initiation and partnership of a nurse managed clinic at the Salvation Army’s homeless shelter with Viterbo College. She has served as a nurse manager in public health and in occupational and employee health for the Mayo Clinic Health System. Sarah has a passion for health prevention and promotion in which she brings to both her professional and personal life.
Lizz Wenzel (she/her) currently serves as the Immunization Quality Improvement Coordinator at the Minnesota Department of Health, providing consultation and support for providers working on increasing their clinic’s immunization coverage rates. Lizz also supports provider organizations’ use of the Minnesota Immunization Information Connection (MIIC), the state’s Immunization Information System (IIS). Lizz has prior experience working with individuals from historically underserved communities, providing health education and coordinating care. Lizz received her bachelor’s degree in Community Health Education from the University of St. Thomas and is currently pursuing a master’s in public health degree. Besides work, Lizz enjoys coaching youth hockey and hiking with her dog.
CHWs and Age Friendly Care
Dr. Wendy Potratz is a Master Certified Health Education Specialist with more than 13 years of experience leading the Community Health Worker (CHW) program at Northwest Technical College. She has played an integral role in the development of the Gerontology & Aging Care program, helping expand educational opportunities focused on supporting older adults and strengthening the healthcare workforce. Dr. Potratz recently co-authored the article Community Health Workers and Age-Friendly Care of Rural Older Adults: Exemplary Programs to Inform Further Expansion for the National Rural Health Association, contributing to ongoing conversations around innovative strategies to improve care for rural aging populations.
Angie Stevens, MCHES, is a public health advocate and community driven catalyst. Much of her work centers around authentic, cross-sector collaboration. Currently, she is grateful to be a full-time mom and adjunct instructor at Northwest Technical College, in the Community Health Worker Program. Her previous experience includes outreach at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and supporting FQHCs through interdisciplinary practice facilitation and systems change at the Minnesota Department of Health in the Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Division. Stevens organized hundreds of partner outreach events and served with CHWs coming alongside the community, equipping and empowering one person at a time.
Breakout Session B Presenters
Co-designing CHW Training and Workforce Development Models: Identifying Employer and Learner Needs for Frontline Workforce Integration
Kristen Godfrey Walters, MPH, is the CHW Initiatives and Community Engagement Unit Director at the Minnesota Department of Health where she leads statewide efforts to strengthen and expand Minnesota’s CHW workforce training, infrastructure, financing, and sustainability, and advances community-clinical linkages and community engagement across programs. Kristen’s past experience includes working directly with CHWs as a CHW program manager, supervisor, and CHW ally, with a focus on integrating CHW services across health care, public health, and community.
Shandy Potes Mangra also works for the Minnesota Community Health Worker Alliance as the Workforce Development Manager. In her role she supports CHWs and CHW employers alike to create, strengthen, and grow CHW programs that are aligned with evidence-based workforce models for the profession. As a CHW and health equity champion, she uses her perspective and an Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging framework to center strategies that reimagine systems as community-led and focused.
Linda Kopecky, MPH, serves as RHTP CHW Initiatives Planner in the CHW Initiatives and Engagement Unit at the Minnesota Department of Health where she provides implementation support for rural health systems, Tribal Nations, and community partners in implementing evidence based sustainable CHW workforce models that improve access to equitable, community-centered care. Linda brings experience across local and state public health, including rural and frontier health settings, and has contributed to CHW workforce development efforts in MN. Her work is grounded in a commitment to advancing rural CHW workforce capacity and sustainable implementation.
Problem Management Plus (PM+): Practical Tools for Managing Client Stress and Adversity
Rick Gertsema began his career in Behavioral Health over 40 years ago, with the last 25 years being at Essentia Health. He is a Master’s Level Licensed Psychologist who specialized in working with teenage boys. He is an author of a parenting book, has done extensive public speaking and worked in nearly all possible behavioral health settings.
Annie Schwartz has over 20 years of experience in managing public health programs, both domestically and internationally. Annie has worked in over 15 countries implementing community-based programs to elevate health in rural areas. Annie has a MA in Health Policy/Gender from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies and a BA in Business/Spanish from the University of St. Thomas.
Using an Active Postvention Model to Build LOSS (Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors) Teams in Rural Minnesota Communities
Melanie Daas brings 7 years of experience in behavioral health and holds a bachelor’s degree in social work, with a strong focus on coordination and participant-centered support. As a Program Coordinator at SAVE, she strengthens LOSS Team program operations and helps ensure services are clear, equitable, and responsive to community needs. Melanie grew up on a hobby farm in rural Wisconsin and carries a strong sense of pride in the tightly-knit culture and resilience of small midwestern communities. She credits this upbringing with instilling in her the integrity, loyalty, and caring nature she relies upon in her work today.
Katie Zerull has worked with the Bloomington Police Department for over 10 years and currently serves in Outreach and Engagement as a certified Crime Prevention Specialist. In this role, she leads a highly successful Neighborhood Watch program, plans and coordinates small and large community events, and educates residents on strategies to reduce their risk of becoming victims of crime. Her work focuses on proactive policing through strong partnerships between law enforcement and community members with the shared goal of creating a safer community.
Afternoon Plenary
Shifting the Power: Transforming Statewide and Rural Research Through CHW Leadership
Chelsey Kirkland, she/her pronouns, holds a PhD in public health as well as an MPH and community health worker certification. As a researcher within the Center for Public Health Systems at University of Minnesota, School of Public Health she has collaborated on numerous nation-wide, mixed-methods research projects working to support and build-up the public health workforce. Her background is in a variety of public health issues including workforce support and development, health equity, health disparities, social determinants of health, physical activity, and community health workers.
Denita Ngwu is a Family Coach and community health leader with more than 15 years of experience supporting families, survivors of domestic violence, and communities with limited resources. She currently serves as a Family Coach at the Jeremiah Program and provides crisis support to individuals experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking. In addition to her direct service work, Denita contributes to research and workforce development through the SoLaHmo and CEARCH Community Health Worker Research Workforce, where she helps develop training modules that introduce Community Health Workers to research concepts and roles.
BreakOut Session C Presenters
Building the Bridge to Preventative Care: The Critical Role of Community Health Workers in Minnesota’s Child and Teen Checkups (C&TC) Program
Amy Zeitz is the C&TC policy specialist at the Minnesota Department of Human Services. She has dedicated the last 8 years in this role building statewide partnerships to increase program participation around the state. Prior to this, she worked in a Head Start program serving Olmsted and Freeborn counties. Amy is passionate about the health and well-being of children and their families, especially those in rural communities where gaps in care exist.
Jessica Schmit is the Family Home Visiting Supervisor at Nobles County Community Services. She oversees the Home Visiting Program as well as WIC services.
Jessica graduated from Minnesota State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Community Health. Within the last twenty or so years, she has developed a strong background in various areas of social services and public health. This includes experience in corrections, child protection, foster care, adoption, mental health case management, clinic management, grant writing, health education, and licensing at both the state and the county level. Jessica has worked in county and state government in South Dakota and Minnesota, as well as health care facilities. She has been in her current position as the Family Home Visiting Supervisor at Nobles County since September of 2025. Jessica has a passion for public health, shaping systemic change, and promoting the health of entire communities.
Jen was born in Guatemala and immigrated to the United States at the age of nineteen. She has called this country home for almost twenty years now. Jen is passionate about breaking down language barriers and serving as a trusted bridge between local families and the medical community. With a deep understanding of the unique cultural and social needs in the region, Jen specializes in helping families navigate complex healthcare systems. Whether it is scheduling medical appointments, interpreting during clinic visits, or assisting with transportation; Jen ensures that every patient feels heard, respected, and empowered. Before becoming a CHW in Nobles County, Jen worked for the State of South Dakota in the Children and Family Services Unit. This fueled Jen’s commitment to public health.
Jen partners closely with local clinics, hospitals, and community organizations. Connecting vulnerable families with food, education, and financial security makes an enormous difference in building stronger, healthier communities.
What Do Rural CHWs Need Right Now? A Listening Session for the Future
Shandy Potes Mangra also works for the Minnesota Community Health Worker Alliance as the Workforce Development Manager. In her role she supports CHWs and CHW employers alike to create, strengthen, and grow CHW programs that are aligned with evidence-based workforce models for the profession. As a CHW and health equity champion, she uses her perspective and an Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging framework to center strategies that reimagine systems as community-led and focused.
Rachel Stoll, CHW, works with the Minnesota Community Health Worker Alliance to support workforce development, training, technical assistance, and statewide initiatives that strengthen Community Health Workers and the organizations that employ them. She is passionate about centering CHW voices in planning and decision-making and building resources that reflect the realities of community-based work.
Breakout Session D Presenters
Transforming Veteran Care Through Cross-System Navigation and Population Health Integration
Raeann Murray, LSW, is the Veteran Health Navigator Supervisor with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare Division. She leads the development and implementation of the Veteran Health Navigator Program, a statewide initiative focused on improving Veteran identification, strengthening care coordination, and connecting Veterans to healthcare, benefits, and community resources. Raeann works collaboratively with healthcare systems, Community Health Workers, Veteran service organizations, and community partners to integrate Veteran-informed practices into clinical and community settings. Her experience includes healthcare navigation, social services leadership, population health initiatives, and cross-sector partnership development. Through her work, she helps organizations build sustainable systems that improve outcomes for Veterans and their families, including those living in rural and underserved communities.
Carla holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and brings 30 years of experience in mental health and child and family services. She is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work degree, with a focus on trauma-informed practice and grief work. Carla is passionate about serving others with compassion, respect, and a strengths-based approach. She brings strong communication, advocacy, and relationship-building skills to her work and is excited to support Service Members, Veterans, and their Families in her new role as Veteran Health Navigator with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs.
Beyond the Numbers: Practical Community Health Worker Strategies That Transform Rural Care
Mohamed Ibrahim, MBBS, CHW, is the Regional Director at WellShare International, where he leads Community Health Worker programs, community-clinic partnerships, and initiatives that improve access to culturally responsive healthcare across southern Minnesota. He earned his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) and worked as a physician in Somalia before transitioning to community and population health leadership in the United States. His experience spans clinical care, public health, care coordination, social drivers of health, telehealth access, and program development for immigrant, refugee, and underserved communities. Mohamed has led the implementation and evaluation of innovative CHW programs that strengthen partnerships between healthcare systems and community organizations. He is committed to advancing the CHW workforce through quality improvement, evidence-informed practice, and sustainable, community-centered models of care.
Evan Curtin is the Executive Director of WellShare International, having previously served as the director of WellShare’s Community Health Worker Hub in Mankato, assisting refugee and immigrant communities with medical and social navigation and community based programs. Evan has a professional background in international development, nonprofit startups, and leading nonprofit emergency response organizations.
Closing Plenary
Measuring Success: An update on the Minnesota Statewide Sustainable Plan and How You Can Get Involved
Laura Turek has been with the MN Department of Health in the HPCD Community Health Worker Initiatives and Community Engagement as an Evaluator since 2024. Laura has a background in public health with a Masters’ Degree from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health and years of experience with grant management at the federal (SAMHSA, NHTSA), state, and local level. Her non-profit experience has included program evaluation for community health center, coalition building and community organizing around a collective impact model. In the recent past, she worked with various health related grants to support students and families in Rice County, including literacy, chronic absence, mental and chemical health.
Rachel Stoll was a CHW and then a CHW program manager before coming to work with the Minnesota Community Health Worker Alliance where she supports CHW workforce development, sustainability, and systems integration efforts across Minnesota. She collaborates with CHWs, employers, healthcare organizations, educators, and state partners to strengthen the CHW workforce and advance community-centered approaches to health.