Meet the Team

Charlie provides strategic direction and leadership to HealthFinders Collaborative. A Minnesota native, he has extensive experience working in health care administration, and with community organizations and families in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Rice & Steele Counties. He has studied public health systems around the world, lived in Mexico and Chile, and is fluent in Spanish. At HealthFinders, he continues to be passionate about engaging communities in their health and rethinking primary care to be more responsive to local needs.

Daisey runs the daily operations of HealthFinders. Her responsibilities include volunteer scheduling, staff management, and office organization. Previous to HealthFinders, Daisey managed adult foster care group homes and served as a Spanish interpreter for Rice County Social Services and the City of Faribault. Daisey believes her biggest reward from working at HealthFinders is the ability to give back to the same community that she grew up in.

Maritza is of Mexican-American descent, transplanted to the Midwest to attend Luther College in Decorah, IA. She moved to Minnesota in 2010 and received her Master of Social Work from Augsburg University. Maritza enjoys helping people work towards a balanced well-being. Before working at HealthFinders, Maritza worked as a Peer Counselor in the Blue Earth county area, helping young Latina girls learn essential skills – from higher education, pregnancy prevention and safe sex education  to healthy relationships, job interviews and  how to talk to parents about difficult topics. She also helped them look toward creating a future for themselves. Working with others to be a better version of themselves than they were the day before fuels Maritza with the passion to continue to do what she loves best: assisting others.

Lee, originally from Mexico and fluent in Spanish, completed his education at Albert Lea Schools and later Riverland Community College in the Human Services program. He furthered his education in the Alcohol and Drug Studies program at Metropolitan State University, earning his licensure. After a commendable 25-year tenure at Mayo Clinic, Lee shifted his focus to HealthFinders Collaborative, where he dedicates himself to assisting individuals struggling with substance use disorder. Lee specializes in providing culturally specific programming for both adults and adolescents. 

Mohamed Ali is a certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist with a passion for helping others and making a positive impact on people's lives. Mohamed blends empathy, understanding, and personal experiences to provide valuable support to individuals on their journey to recovery. Connecting with others during challenging times and offering encouragement, guidance, and a listening ear is incredibly fulfilling. Mohamed's own experiences have significantly influenced his journey and helped shape his perspective and determination to help others in their recovery process. Each day, he strives to create a safe and non-judgmental space where individuals can share their stories and feel empowered to take control of their lives.

Prior to coming to HealthFinders, Toby worked in the recovery field as the Family Recovery Support Program Coordinator and Program Director of Housing and Recovery at the Community Action Center of Northfield. Toby received his BA in Psychology from Luther College in 2001 and his MA in Human Resources/Industrial Relations in 2005. After working in Human Resources for three years, he was the Director of Disability Services and Developmental Education for Mesabi Range College for six years before returning to Northfield. He has also worked as a Mental Health Practitioner at Secure Base Counseling Center in Northfield where he helped build mental health coping skills with children. Toby received his Addiction Studies Certificate from Mesabi Range College in 2022 and is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor.

Born in Brownsville, Texas, Jose spent his formative years in Mexico. Proficient in both Spanish and English, he currently serves as a Youth and Family Engagement Specialist at HealthFinders, collaborating with Northfield schools. Jose holds a license as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor and earned his Bachelor's degree in Addiction Studies and a Master's in Administration of Health Services from the University of South Dakota, Vermillion. With a commendable 25-year career in the field of addiction and substance use disorders and prevention, he has dedicated his expertise to working with youth, adults and families.

Kari specializes in helping older adolescents and adults through a person-centered therapy approach. Kari works alongside patients to uncover strengths, utilizing therapeutic methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Strengths-Based perspective, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Solution-Focused strategies. Kari addresses various issues, including substance misuse, trauma, depression, anxiety, codependent relationships, and life transitions. With a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Dependency Counseling, Kari brings a wealth of education and experience to support clients. Personally, she is a mom of three, enjoys outdoor activities, gardening, making maple syrup, spending time with family and friends, traveling, and participating in community events.

Prior to joining HealthFinders, Denise worked at Rice County Public Health within the Family Child Health Unit. She also recently completed the Community Health Worker program at MN West. Denise has extensive experience working with youth K-12. She has tutored, taught, coached, mentored, and advocated for youth in her previous position at Faribault Public Schools. Denise believes that community collaboration is integral to healthy adolescent growth and strives to eliminate barriers in a culturally-responsive way. She is looking forward to continuing her work with youth and families. 

Dr Ripley is a Family Physician who joined HealthFinders in 2023. She has worked in full spectrum Family Medicine providing preventative care and treatment of acute and chronic medical conditions for patients of all ages. She is passionate about whole person care and lifestyle medicine to promote overall wellness.

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Prior to coming to HealthFinders she practiced for 19 years at the Allina Clinic in Northfield. She received her MD from the University of South Dakota and completed her Family Medicine Residency training through the University of Minnesota.

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Dr. Amy enjoys spending time hiking, gardening and doing almost anything outdoors with her family and Golden Retriever Mayzie.

Emily has been at HealthFinders since 2010. In addition to partnering with patients for primary care in the Faribault office, she provides clinic and community-based services for adolescent sexual health as well as buprenorphine-based treatment of opioid use disorder. Emily's other job is teaching pediatric and public health nursing at St. Olaf College. 

She has a nursing degree from Johns Hopkins University and a doctorate of nursing practice from

the University of Minnesota. Prior to moving to Northfield in 2009, Emily worked at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. 

Emily lives in Northfield, Minnesota with her family.  

Courtney is an adult primary care and women's health nurse practitioner who has been with Healthfinders part time since 2019, providing care in English and in Spanish. Her primary role is at Ramsey County Public Health's sexual and reproductive health clinic, Clinic 555, in Saint Paul. Her previous work experience has been in primary care and sexual health settings, and as adjunct faculty at Metro State College of Nursing. Outside of work, she spends her time coaching and playing ultimate frisbee, getting outside with her partner and her dog Bella, and cooking and eating good food. 

Linda grew up in Northfield with the firsthand experience of the needs of the Latinx community. She also experienced the relief brought by having a nonprofit like HFC. Because of her experiences, she feels passionate about working at HFC with a group of people so highly motivated and equity-oriented.

Laura joined Healhfinders Collaborative in October 2021 as a Certified Community Health Worker. She is a patient/youth advocate, MNsure Navigator, coordinator of care, Mental Health Spanish Interpreter, Obstetrics advocate, and resource locator. Laura has worked previously as a Certified Nurse Assistant in assisted-living and rehabilitation homes. Laura's purpose is to help break barriers for our patients and youth by helping them navigate the health systems.

Reyna is from Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico. Her family moved to California when she was five years old before moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan when she was nine. Reyna lived in Grand Rapids until she got married and moved to Minnesota in 2022.

Reyna went into the medical field out of a desire to help people. She went to school to become a Medical Assistant and did her internship in an Urgent Care Center. She has also worked at an OB & GYN office and at Davita Dialysis until she started working at HealthFinders Collaborative in January 2024.

Reyna loves to travel and meet new people everywhere she goes. 

Wendy serves as HealthFinders' Community Engagement Coordinator. A Faribault native, Wendy received her bachelor's degree in Chicanx/Latinx Ethnic Studies from the University of Minnesota. Wendy believes in empowering underserved communities and supporting patient advocacy. Prior to working with HealthFinders, Wendy was a community organizer in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. She enjoys working with a passionate and driven group of people.

Nichole leads the creative vision for HealthFinders and helps guide the organization's communications strategy and campaigns. She is responsible for the print and digital, web, and video content and also supports the organization's fundraising and advancement efforts. Over the years, Nichole has done everything from broadcast journalism, advertising and magazine publishing to TV and video production, branding, event promotions, and design. Nichole is a graduate of the University of Minnesota's School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Jeny was born in Guatemala and moved to Faribault when she was 3 years old. She has seen the need for her community to better their health and believes she can play a big role in helping that change. Her motto is: never be complacent, strive for what you believe in, and continue to improve yourself.

Liliana is a Care Coordinator and Clinical Supervisor wearing many hats at the clinic. She provides support and ensures the clinic runs smoothly. She also provides interpretation services to our Spanish speakers and is a Certified MNsure Navigator.
Liliana ensures patients get connected to the care they need. She's passionate to serve the community she grew up in and hopes to continue being part of the HealtthFinders team for many years to come.

Kara Millerhagen started with HealthFinders on the gala team and has since broadened her involvement to include development & fundraising and other community events and engagement opportunities.  Kara's background in the performing arts and in youth leadership makes her a natural fit for hosting both virtual and live events.  She is passionate about encouraging people to imagine a more equitable world and to use their gifts, talents and resources to make it happen.    

Fausto Rodela-Rodriguez began his journey with HealthFinders in 2016 as a dental assistant. Through dedication, hard work, and the support of his dental peers, he pursued and successfully graduated from dental hygiene school in 2022 at Normandale Community College. Today, Fausto serves as both the Dental Coordinator and Dental Hygienist, where he plays an essential role in clinic operations and delivers bilingual primary dental care to patients. Drawing from his personal experiences, Fausto has developed a deep passion for helping his community and takes pride in creating meaningful connections with patients, ensuring they feel understood and cared for. Outside of work, Fausto is happily married and a proud father to son, Benjamin, who fills his life with joy and adventure.

Julie is an Advanced Dental Therapist and has been practicing for more than five years. She enjoys working with patients to get them out of pain and help make them smile. Julie grew up and lives in the southern suburbs of Minneapolis. She enjoys being outside, spending time with family and friends and especially her two dogs, a Golden Retriever and German Shepard who keep her active.

 Yessenia is a licensed dental assistant with 4 years of hands-on experience in the field. She absolutely loves her work with HealthFinders and says helping people maintain healthy smiles is so rewarding. Outside of work, she's a proud mom to a toddler and expecting another little one soon. She says: "Life is busy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way! When I'm not assisting patients or chasing after my little ones, you can find me enjoying family time and making the most of every moment."

Dr. Shannon Held is a highly experienced Doctor of Dental Surgery with nearly 25 years of practice. Driven by a deep passion for helping communities, Dr. Held finds both the challenges and rewards of dentistry to be fulfilling. With a focus on providing exceptional care, Dr. Held is known for combining skill with compassion to ensure each patient receives personalized attention. Outside of the office, Dr. Held enjoys spending quality time with family and cultivating a beautiful garden, bringing balance and joy to both professional and personal life.

Melissa is a passionate Dental Program Assistant with a growing interest in pursuing a career in dental hygiene. With a strong commitment to learning, she is excited about the possibility of starting dental hygiene school. Outside of her work in the clinic, Melissa enjoys spending time with her three dogs—Luna, Duke, and Bell—and her cat, Roxy. She also loves reading, hanging out with friends, and cherishing moments with her family.

Yera began with no dental background but has excelled in learning how to be an outstanding dental assistant. Through hard work and dedication, she has completed the limited radiology certification process, and now has a license to take radiographs. As a dental assistant, Yera assists in all areas of program activities, including volunteer coordination, assisting dentists and hygienists in dental visits, charting and billing support, radiology, and ensuring the clinic is operated according to established policies and procedures.

As a dental assistant, Caryn assists in all areas of program activities, including volunteer coordination, assisting dentists and hygienists in dental visits, charting and billing support, and ensuring the clinic is operated according to established policies and procedures.

As a Clinical Assistant, Victoria helps support the seamless delivery of patient care with timely, complete and accurate information. This entails supporting clinic directors with patient follow-up calls and tasks, and supporting providers during patient visits. Previously Victoria worked as a CNA for many years in San Antonio, Texas. She is excited to be part of the HealthFinders team.

Alessandra is a Clinical Associate at HealthFinders Collaborative. Her role involves checking patients in and out, scheduling medical and advocacy appointments and providing interpretation services for Spanish-speaking patients. Alessandra is also part of the MESA team, working with teen-related referrals, STI/HIV screening, teen clinic/behavioral health and school-based youth clubs. She likes being a voice for youth through the MESA program. Alessandra loves that HealthFinders is a space for patients of diverse backgrounds and allows accessible health for all; she is proud to be part of such a welcoming community.   

As a Clinical Associate, Dalila assists with checking patients in and out, scheduling medical and advocacy appointments, and helps interpret for Spanish-speaking patients.

As a college student majoring in health, Asha is excited to apply her knowledge and skills as a Clinical Associate at HealthFinders. Her role involves checking patients in and out, scheduling medical and advocacy appointments, and providing interpretation services for Somali-speaking patients. Asha believes that healthcare should be accessible to everyone, and is passionate about positively impacting the community she grew up in. Asha is proud to be part of an organization that shares her values, and is grateful for the opportunity to serve the community in this role.

Jael Cisneros is a Clinical Associate at HealthFinders Collaborative. Her role involves checking patients in and out, scheduling medical and advocacy appointments, and providing interpretation services for Spanish-speaking patients

Graciela is a Clinical Associate at HealthFinders. Her role involves checking patients in and out, scheduling medical and advocacy appointments, and providing interpretation services for Spanish-speaking patients. Graciela believes that health care should be accessible to everyone, and is grateful for the opportunity to positively impact the community she grew up in. She enjoys being part of a team that is passionate and driven about the work they do.

Halima is a Clinical Associate and a certified MNsure Navigator. Her drive to help others and further connect with her community is what she enjoys most about her role at HealthFinders. Halima provides language support for Somali patients, preps documents, and sends and retrieves lab orders. As a MNsure Navigator, Halima helps Somali and English-speaking patients apply or renew their health coverage and provides resources for patients. Halima is eager to learn more and advance her knowledge in her work with HealthFinders.

Connie started as a volunteer Nurse Practitioner in 2015 and continues to serve in a monthly capacity on staff. She enjoys medical mission trips and practicing Spanish. She is married with four kids and spends much of her free time hiking or mountain biking in the woods.  

Melissa is a Clinical Associate who enjoys serving her community through her role, and being able to provide interpretation services for the Hispanic and Latinx community. Melissa loves working at HealthFinders because they are helping close the gap between language barriers in health care and increasing access. Melissa is currently pursuing an education in dental hygiene. She also enjoys spending time with friends, family and her three dogs and cat.