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Leadership

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Who We Are
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Leadership

Each member of our leadership team is dedicated to guiding the organization toward our vision of a community where all thrive. 

Janet Gracia Headshot
Janet Gracia
President & CEO
Shad Klukas
Shad Klukas
Chief Operations Officer
thumbnail_edit_Kristen-Neuer-temp-headshot-scaled
Kristen Neurer
Vice President of Advancement
Nick-Contreraz-lg
Nick Contreraz
Vice President of Programs

Directors at Neighborhood House

The managers at Neighborhood House are each passionate about their work and serving the community. 

Johanna Smrcina
JoHanna Smrcina
Director of Housing Stability Program
Cassandra Kienbaum
Cassandra Kienbaum
Director of Food and Family Services
Abigail Dominguez
Abigail Dominguez
Director of Guest Services & Sales
Katrina Benson
Katrina Benson
Director of Education and Enrichment Programs
Nikole
Nikole Shovein
Interim Director of Volunteer Engagement and Special Projects
Elizabeth Wagner 2
Elizabeth Wagner
Director of Social Work and Trauma-Informed Initiatives
WEB(1of1)
Jenn Sansom
Director of Marketing and Communications
WEB(2of2)
Jennifer So, PhD.
Director of Community-based Evaluation and Impact
NH logo 60x60 px
Jacob Petrie
Controller
Michelle Verzall
Michelle Verzal
Associate Director of Foundation Relations and Grants
Board of Directors - Officers

Cindy Carvelli-Yu, Chair

U.S. Bank

Rhonda Arnold, Vice Chair

Seniors Helping Seniors

Danielle Salus, Secretary

Minnesota Housing
Finance Agency

Carlos Tellez, Treasurer

3M

Board of Directors

Cindy Carvelli-Yu (Chair)

U.S. Bank

Rhonda Arnold (Vice Chair)

Seniors Helping Seniors

Danielle Salus (Secretary)

Minnesota Housing Finance Agency

Carlos Tellez (Treasurer)

3M

Courtney Barrett

University of Minnesota, College of Continuing and Professional Studies

Michael Brewer

Securian Financial 

Stephanie Aberle

Van Meter, Inc.

Brittany Clausen

Envision Greatness

Raymond Eby

Private Consultant
(Retired 3M)

Carlo Franco

City of St. Paul 

Member of Saint Paul Board of Education

Mario Hernandez

Career Transition

Joe Huss

Municipal Finance
Retired

Kent Johnson

Andersen Corp.

Kesiah Kolbow

Cristo Rey Jesuit High School

Heidi Lee

City of Saint Paul

Mike MacDonald

Connexus Energy

Nicole McConlogue

Mitchell Hamline
School of Law

Jonathan Miller

Old National Wealth Advisors

Greg Myers

Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP

Luis Rosario

Andros ENT & Sleep Center

Kathleen Schubert

Retired Business Owner &
HR Professional

Khan Shahrukh

Comcast

Amy Slagle

Bridgewater Bank

David Smith

Career Transition

Chris Sullivan

Brillect

Jim Thiher

 Merrill Lynch

Karin Haas

Xcel Energy

Melissa Harris

Andersen Corporation

Elizabeth Mairs

Retired from Xcel Energy

Odell Brown

City of Saint Paul

Sara Swenson

Goff Public

Michael Duran

3M

Honorary Board of Directors

Debbie Bancroft *

Michael Clark

Elizabeth Driscoll

Becky Garthofner

Heidi Gesell

Jim Gesell*

John Hernandez

Tim Johnson

Judy Katz*

Jean King

Darlene Lewis

Eric Levinson

Manuel Lopez

Char Mason

Maureen McDonough

Eileen McMahon

Becky Montgomery

Elsa Vega Perez

Marvin Pertzik

PJ Pofahl

Lee Schafer

Sally Scoggin

Thomas Smith

Terri Thao

Carol Weisberg

Jean West*

Stephanie Wolkin

*deceased

Please fill out and submit the form below to contact us.

Carrie Sowada | Child Development Specialist

Carrie comes to Neighborhood House as a recent graduate of the U of M’s Family Social Science program, where they graduated with distinction. They have more than five years of experience working with and mentoring children in St. Cloud area youth programs, as well as customer service and restaurant experience. Additionally, Carrie has experience in community building, advocacy, and working with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. In their spare time, Carrie enjoys crocheting. It’s their favorite hobby. 

Valerie Dorschner | Early Childhood Instructor

Valerie has worked at Neighborhood House since 2004.

Valerie leads the Skills for School preschool program and is responsible for the curriculum. She has over 20 years of experience in early childhood working with parents and children, and has training and experience working with neurodiverse and dual language students.

  • Valerie is a licensed teacher with a bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of St. Thomas.
  • She holds licenses in elementary education and in early childhood education, and has several years of experience
    teaching elementary school.

Valerie enjoys her free time with her five children and one grandchild.

Victoria Campoverde

Victoria Campoverde is the program manager of Neighborhood House’s Latino Leadership Program. She is originally from Peru and was a licensed high school teacher in her home country.

Her extensive experience within the education sector exemplifies her commitment to education and families.

  • Currently, she serves as the Cultural Liaison between Columbia Heights School District and Anoka-Hennepin School District.
  • In 2008 Victoria began working with The Amherst H. Wilder Foundation’s Latino Leadership Program on adapting their curriculum for the Latinx community. Since then, she has continued working in the Latino Leadership Program after its 2020 transition to Neighborhood House.
  • Coauthor of Education: Our Best Legacy (EOBL), a school success program designed for parents or caregivers with one or more children in middle school. EOBL is part of the Partnering for School Success project (PSS) with the University of Minnesota’s Extension program.
  • Lead teacher and Program Director at Joyce Preschool.
  • A 25 on the Rise, Latino Leader recipient from the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 2006.
  • Facilitator with different Latino parent programs in the Twin Cities.
  • President of Kuyayki Peru MN Cultural Association.

For Victoria it is important to value ones culture and cultivate ones heritage. She believes in the importance of empowering the community through her work with Neighborhood House and the Latino Leadership Program. During her free time Victoria enjoys dancing.

Winter / Spring Fresh Produce Distributions Events*

From November–May, all are welcome to come pick up a variety of free fruits and vegetables for family and friends. Distributions take place at Metro State University in St. Paul.

This event is held indoors. Masks are encouraged but not required.

During each event, we distribute approximately 3,000 pounds of food to approximately 75-100 families on average.

No documentation or identification is required to participate.

For additional questions about the Food Markets, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Event guideline and details: Our fresh produce events are open to everyone!

  • Requirements: Nothing! You do not need identification to receive food.
  • Recommendations: You may want to bring your own bags and a cart if you have one. On average, visitors will leave with approximately 40 pounds of fresh produce per event. 
  • Registration: First-time visitors are required to register on site. The registration process will take 5-10 minutes to complete.
  • Parking: You can park in the Metro State ramp parking for $5. Otherwise, street parking is available along 7th St. and Bates Avenue.

Wellstone Center | 179 Robie Street East, St. Paul, MN  55107

 

Location

Metropolitan State University

(Student Center Room)
101 690 E 7th St
St. Paul, MN 55106

TIME – 2:30–4 P.M.

DATES – December 17, 2025 | January 14, 2026 | February 11, 2026 | March 11, 2026 | April 8, 2026 | May 13, 2026

 

* Weather permitting – If there are thunderstorms or excessive heat warnings, we may cancel the event and / or events. For more information and event cancellation updates, please call (651) 789-3630.

Still have questions? Kindly email Nicki Thao, Food Market Site Coordinator.

Summer / Fall distributions* (Summer 2025)

From July to October, all are welcome to come pick up a variety of free fruits and vegetables for family and friends at our St. Paul locations. 

The distributions are held outdoors and are farmer’s market style. No documentation or identification is required to participate.

For additional questions about Food Support, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Event guideline and details: Our fresh produce events are open to everyone!

  • Requirements: Nothing! You do not need identification to receive food.
  • Recommendations: You may want to bring your own bags and a cart if you have one. On average, visitors will leave with approximately 40 pounds of fresh produce per event. 
  • Registration: First-time visitors are required to register on site. The registration process will take 5-10 minutes to complete.
  • Parking: You may park on the street at most of our locations. 
 

Locations

The Wellstone Center*

179 Robie Street
St. Paul, MN 55107

Dates

Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday from July to October
Hours: 12 p.m.–2 p.m.

  • 7/10
  • 7/24
  • 8/14
  • 8/28
  • 9/11
  • 9/25
  • 10/9
  • 10/23

Summit Brewing Parking Lot

902 Montreal Circle
St. Paul, MN 55102

Dates

Every 1st and 3rd Thursday from July to October
Hours: 12 p.m.–2 p.m.

  • 7/3
  • 7/17
  • 8/7
  • 8/21
  • 9/4
  • 9/18
  • 10/2
  • 10/16

Flyers

2025 flyer – English

* Weather permitting. If there are thunderstorms or excessive heat warnings, we may cancel the event and / or events. For more information and event cancellation updates, please call (651) 789-3630.

Still have questions? Please email Nikki Thao, Food Market Coordinator.

Food Market Location

Francis Basket

1293 East Maynard Drive #410
St Paul, MN 55116
Phone: (651) 699-0986

Building Hours

Monday

9AM – 11:30AM

Tuesday & WEDNESDAYS

9AM – 11:30AM
1PM – 4PM

Directions

Highland / Sibley Manor

Food Market Location

The Wellstone Center

179 Robie Street
St. Paul, MN 55107
Phone: (651) 789-2500
Food Market Info: (651) 789-3630

Directions

Appointment Required

Make Appointment online: Click Here

Appointment Scheduling Hours

Monday – Friday

9:30AM–4PM

Operating Hours

Monday

TUESDAY–FRIDAY

SATURDAY

  • 1–4PM 
  • 9:30–11:30AM
  • 1–3:30PM

Closed Saturdays until 2026

Wellstone Center Food Market

St. Paul Music Academy

27 Geranium Avenue East
St Paul, MN 55117
Service Connect: (651) 789-3602

Building Hours

Monday – Friday

9AM – 4PM

Directions

St. Paul Music Academy

John A. Johnson Elementary

740 York Avenue
St Paul, MN 55106
Service Connect: (651) 789-3602

Building Hours

Monday – Friday

9AM – 4PM

Directions

John A. Johnson Elementary

Neighborhood House on Montreal

1080 Montreal Ave
St Paul, MN 55116
Service Connect: (651) 789-3602

Building Hours

Monday – Friday

9AM – 4PM

Directions

No appointment necessary

Operating Hours​

MONDAY–WEDNESDAY

  • 9:30–11:30AM
  • 1–4PM
Neighborhood House on Montreal

Dayton's Bluff Elementary

262 Bates Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55106
Service Connect: (651) 789-3602

Building Hours

Monday – Friday

9AM – 4PM

Directions

Dayton's Bluff Elementary

Bruce Vento Elementary

409 Case Avenue East
St Paul, MN 55130
Service Connect: (651) 789-3602

Building Hours

Monday – Friday

9AM – 4PM

Directions

Bruce Vento Elementary

Main Campus

The Wellstone Center

179 Robie Street
St. Paul, MN 55107
Main Phone: (651) 789-2500
Service Connect: (651) 789-3602
Food Market Info: (651) 789-3630

Building Hours

Monday – Friday

8AM – 9PM

Saturday

8AM – 4PM

Sunday

NOON – 5PM

The Wellstone Center

Parking

The Wellstone Center Parking Ramp is located on the west side of the main building. The ramp has three levels with one elevator bank. Take the elevator to the first floor and follow the signs towards the information desk.
Parking is free.

Directions

Note: Building hours may be adjusted due to holidays, emergencies, program changes or weather. Check our website homepage and social media for possible building hour changes.