We have highly trained teams providing compassionate care.

Meet the Leadership Team

  • Kelly Tronstad, Executive Director

    Kelly has extensive experience as a Family Support Coach with Children’s Home Society and has also served as the co-leader of Bellis' innovative Tuesday morning peer-support group for women addressing the grief of no longer parenting their children. She was recently appointed to the inaugural State Board of Appellate Counsel and Training in MN. Kelly has an M.Ed. degree with licensure in Parent and Family Education (U of M Twin Cities) as well as a Graduate Licensure in Secondary Education from the University of St Thomas.

  • Vanessa Mullenix

    Vanessa Mullenix, Director of Operations

    Vanessa has over a decade of experience in communications, research, and operations. From her previous role at Orman Guidance, Inc. as VP of Consumer Engagement, Vanessa's career encompasses both public and private sector impacts on health, wellness, and education with focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Skilled in data collection and interpretation, storytelling, and event management, Vanessa's creativity and empathy is at the heart of her approach. Vanessa has served as a volunteer at Bellis, providing presentations in classrooms, communities, and professional organizations to help elevate the Bellis mission, sharing her own story in the process.

  • Tracy Murphy, Board President

    Tracy is President of Mount Olivet Rolling Acres, a Minnesota nonprofit offering care and services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Prior to nonprofit leadership, Tracy worked as an executive at Target Corporation for more than 25 years, in the U.S., Canada and India, with a focus on Enterprise Business Architecture. She has also served on the boards of Keystone Human Services International and the Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery.

  • Kristine Moser, Board Vice President

    Kristine is Senior Vice President Human Resources at Project for Pride in Living. Former human resources lead at CARE Counseling, Fraser, Volunteers of America, and Jeremiah Program. She is a Society for Human Resource Management, Senior Certified Professional. Her corporate experience includes Target and Apple in the U.S. and Asia. She volunteers with the Gustavus Mentoring Program.

  • Mary

    Mary McKeown, Treasurer

    Mary is the retired CEO of Keystone Community Services, a St. Paul-based non-profit that provides a variety of support services for low-income neighbors, including Meals on Wheels, food shelves, afterschool and older adult programs, and case management services for older adults and people with disabilities. She holds an MA in non-profit management from St. Mary's University. Mary has served on the boards of the Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging, the Senior Services Consortium of Ramsey County, and the Suburban Ramsey Family Collaborative.

  • Kate

    Kate Bottiger, Board Member

    Kate is Executive Director at Reach for Resources, Inc., a nonprofit that empowers people of all-abilities to reach their full potential by providing individualized services that maximize independence, boosts community engagement and improves physical and emotional well-being. She has an MBA from Bethal University and has also served on the boards of the National Neutropenia Network and the Minnesota Alliance for Volunteer Advancement.

  • Monique Lindqust, Board Member

    Monique is Senior Controls Engineer at Prime Data Centers. She is skilled in Control Systems Design, Management, Renewable Energy, Engineering, and Energy Management. Monique has a Master's Degree focused in teaching from Hamline University. She volunteers with Nimbus Theatre in Minneapolis, teaches youth hockey, and plays on Minnesota’s first LGBTQIA Queer League.

  • Elif McCain

    Elif McCain, Board Member

    Elif is a healthcare operations executive currently serving as Chief Administrative Officer – Specialty Healthcare at Fraser. She started her healthcare career at Mayo Clinic and was at HealthEast Care System, currently part of M Health Fairview, prior to joining Fraser, where she held various key leadership roles including program leadership in Population Health, and overseeing shared services like RN triage, clinical messaging and scheduling. Elif holds a Master of Arts in Health and Human Services Administration from St. Mary’s University in St. Paul, MN. She received her B.A. in Business Administration (with honors) from Dogus University in Turkey. She is currently a member of American College of Healthcare Executives and Women’s Health Leadership TRUST.

Meet the Clinical & Outreach Team

  • Paola Schnabel, MSW, LICSW, MPH

    Facilitator

  • Kelly Tronstad, M.Ed., Licensed Parent Educator

    Facilitator

  • Kjersta Hoffman, LSW

    Facilitator

  • Bethany Janson Gilmer, M.Ed., Licensed Parent Educator

    Facilitator

  • Tessa Lasswell, MPH, RDN

    Program Evaluator

  • Katie

    Katie Danielson, MSW, LGSW

    Facilitator

  • Mary Kane, LSW

    Support Line & Welcome Coordinator

Stronger Together Peer Support Model™ participants say…

  • “I’m at a loss for words on how to explain my experience other than I ABSOLUTELY LOVE this group. I recommend it so much!”

  • “The facilitators had safe vibes from the start. Thank you sooo much for being non-judgmental and very accepting and open with us as a group and individually.”

  • “This group was exactly what I needed in my journey.”