Reach Staff 

Executive Director

Kate has been with Reach since August 2014 as the Executive Director. Prior to coming to Reach, she was the Executive Director at Rein in Sarcoma, an organization that supports individuals with sarcoma cancer by raising awareness, providing education, and raising funds. Kate also worked for Hammer for 22 years, another provider that supports individuals with disabilities. The most recent position held by Kate at Hammer was the Director of Advocacy & Volunteer Resources, which allowed her to lead advocacy, recreation, and volunteer programs.

In 2018, the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits honored Kate with its 2018 Transformational Leader Award, after she was secretly nominated by a group of Reach staff members, with input from the Board of Directors chairperson.

Kate obtained her MBA from Bethel University in 2014 and received her undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota. Kate lives in Buffalo, MN, with her family and enjoys gardening, reading, watching movies, traveling, swimming, and hanging out with family and friends.

Managing Director of Mental Health

Jessica started at Reach in 2008. She has experience working with adults with disabilities and mental illness. Jessica directs the Adult Rehabilitation Mental Health Services (ARMHS) program as the ARMHS Treatment Director and is also the Assistant Director of Mental Health Services, providing program management and support to our other programs

Assistant Director of Adaptive Recreation & Inclusion

Jesse began at Reach in July 2016. She graduated from Minnesota State University-Mankato, studying recreation parks and leisure services with an emphasis in therapeutic, resources management and leisure planning and management. Jesse spent four summers at Wisconsin Lions Camp in Rosholt, WI, working with children and adults with disabilities. She also did an internship with the National Sports Center for the Disabled in Colorado. Jesse is a registered therapeutic recreational specialist and worked in both our Independent Living Department and Adaptive Recreation & Inclusion Department before accepting this current role in 2019.

Jesse spends as much time as possible with her family in Wisconsin. She also enjoys traveling, being outdoors, snowboarding, skiing, camping, and participating in any sports.

Assistant Director of Community Living

Cassie joined Reach in September 2012 as a Community Living Specialist. In early 2014, she accepted the role of Designated Coordinator, and in early 2020, was promoted to the Assistant Director of Community Living position, which she holds today. Cassie graduated from Metropolitan State University in 2014 with a degree in human services.

She lives in Spring Park with her husband, son, two dogs, and a cat. Cassie enjoys being outdoors—walking, camping, and boating as Minnesota weather permits. On relaxing days, she likes to catch up on her favorite TV shows, read, and cook.

Office Manager

Since October 2015, Roseann has served as the office manager for Reach. She grew up in Waverly, MN, with 12 siblings. Roseann chose to pursue a career in finance, because she enjoys working with numbers. She went to Rasmussen Business College after graduating from Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted High School. Before coming to Reach, she had over 15 years of experience in the finance field, and appreciates the variety involved in her current position at Reach.

Roseann is married and has two boys. They enjoy going to antique tractor shows, and the boys partake in the tractor pulls. Some of her hobbies include gardening, putting together puzzles, and working on sewing projects.

Director of Adaptive Recreation & Inclusion

Emily has been working with Reach since October 2015. She graduated from the University of St. Thomas Graduate School of Professional Psychology with her Master of Arts degree in counseling and is currently pursuing her license in therapeutic recreation. Emily has been supporting individuals with disabilities since 2006 in various capacities, including as the Community Life Coordinator at Hammer Residences, where she planned and facilitated recreation and wellness activities for all individuals and staff. Before coming to Reach, she also practiced family therapy and play therapy with St. David’s Center’s Autism Day Treatment Program.

Emily has a passion for recreation and outdoor adventure and spends her free time planning and participating in fun activities with her family and friends. She loves being outside, traveling, running, playing games, and eating good food.

Development Officer

Jason has enjoyed his time at Reach since starting in March 2016. As the Development Officer, he looks forward to seeing everyone at our events, and he loves promoting Reach to others in the community. At the office, his door is always open (but the room will probably be full of donated stuff and maybe an odd animal or two).

Jason currently lives in Big Lake, is married, and has a step-daughter. They have a cat, two dogs, and three fish tanks with Glo Fish and Angel Fish. He has been a mentor to a fine young man for nearly a decade. Jason enjoys the outdoors and loves hunting, fishing, baseball, and golf.  One of his favorite activities is taking the kids out on the boat and doing some tubing and water-skiing.