Leadership & Board

Karen Johnston

Karen Johnston

Executive Director

Karen Johnston joined Tasks Unlimited as its executive director in 2009, bringing over 25 years of experience in mental health leadership to the position. Prior to coming to Tasks Unlimited, Karen was deputy director and later CEO for PORT in Brainerd, MN, providing residential services and other resources for at-risk teens. She has also served as program director and director of residential services for Hecla Inc., and as director of administration for the Initiative Foundation.

Heather Simon

Heather Simon

Chief Financial Officer

Heather Simon joined the Tasks Unlimited finance team in 2005, and took the position of chief financial officer in 2008 In this role, Heather is responsible for oversight of all the organization's financials. Previously to working at Tasks Unlimited, she worked at nonprofits that specialized in elder care and immigrant family issues. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration, specializing in accounting and computers, from California State University - Stanislaus and a master’s degree from Bethel University.

Dana Scarlett

Dana Scarlett

Director of Facilities

Dana Scarlett joined Tasks Unlimited in 1987. In his 30 years with Tasks Unlimited and the Fairweather Lodge model, Dana has served Tasks Unlimited in a variety of functions including assistant director of operations, lodge coordinator, job developer, and vocational supervisor. As Director of Facilities, Dana is responsible for purchasing and maintaining all of Tasks Unlimited properties, ensuring safe and well-maintained housing for all our tenants. He is a licensed Residential Remodeling Contractor in the state of Minnesota, and before working for Tasks, Dana was a licensed realtor and a restaurant owner/operator.

Dana Hays

Dana Hays

Development Director

Dana Hays joined Tasks Unlimited as its development director in 2018, bringing nearly 20 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising and grant management to the position. Before coming to Tasks Unlimited, Dana was the development director at Face to Face Health & Counseling Service, Inc., a nonprofit providing health services, and resources to underserved youth. Previous to becoming development director at Face to Face, Dana served in other positions there including managing public funding and overseeing data and evaluation.

Jacqueline McMillan

Jacqueline McMillan

Director of Human Resources, MSHR, PHR, SHRM-CP

Jacqueline McMillan joined Tasks Unlimited in 2017 bringing more than 20 years human resources and benefits experience to the position. Before coming to Tasks Unlimited, Jacqueline was the Director of Human Resources at Fraser, Ltd., and Babcock & Brown New York. Jacqueline holds a master’s degree from Penn State in Human Resources–Employment Relations, is SHRM-CP and PHR certified, and is active in local, state, and national HR association boards of directors.

Jenna Schultz

Jenna Schultz

Director of Contract Management

Jenna joined Tasks Unlimited in 2009, serving in various roles in our vocational services area, such as Jobs Training Program Coordinator and Vocational Area Manager. She started as the Director of Contract Management in 2020 and is responsible for the janitorial contracts, which are crucial to our ability to offer clients successful employment opportunities. She also oversees the supported employment program and vocational specialists that provide vocational services at our worksites. Jenna has a master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy and bachelor’s in Corrections and Sociology. She has previous experience in the mental health field having worked in a group home setting before coming to Tasks Unlimited.

Kassia Janezich

Kassia Janezich

Director of Program Operations

Kassia Janezich joined Tasks Unlimited in 2009. In her current position, she oversees Admissions, Vocational Services (Jobs Training Program, Job Placement, and Retention Services), the Transition Lodge, Fairweather Program, Northeast Outreach and Opportunity Center, and Envision Community. Before taking her current position in 2022, Kassia was a Mental Health Supervisor, Lodge Coordinator, and most recently Director of Vocational Services. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s in public administration from Hamline University.

Liz Mihalchick

Liz Mihalchick

Director of Behavioral Health Services

Since joining Tasks Unlimited in 2021, Liz Mihalchick provides quality control and oversight of all clinical services, including Case Management, ARMHS, Intensive Residential Treatment Services, and crisis and medication management programs. Liz is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Board Approved Supervisor for LPCC and LADC, and Licensed School Counselor. Her wide experience in mental health includes community mental health, school-based therapy and counseling, day treatment, crisis response, consulting, animal-assisted therapy, and private practice.

Alee Tamire

Alee Tamire

Director of Housing

As Director of Housing, Alee supervises our housing programs, including Fairweather Lodges, Transition Lodge, and Housing Stabilization Services. Before accepting this position in 2022, Alee was a Mental Health Coordinator and Case Manager at Tasks. She has over 10 years’ experience working with people with mental illness. Alee holds a bachelor’s degree from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota in Allied Healthcare and Human Resource Management and is working to complete her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, with an emphasis in Co-Occurring Disorders and Addiction Counseling.

  • Paula Callies, Owner/Attorney, Callies Law, PLLC
  • James Cannon, Administrative Law Judge (ret.), State of Minnesota
  • Charles Christiansen, Secretary/Treasurer, Executive Director (ret.), American Occupational Therapy Foundation
  • Marianne Christiansen, Immediate Past Chair, Professor Emerita, Occupational Therapy Assistant Program, St. Catherine University
  • Steve Erickson, Employee, Tasks Unlimited Building Services
  • Bryan Frandrup, Chief Lending Officer, BankCherokee
  • Larry Fraser, Employee, Tasks Unlimited Building Services
  • Kristine Haertl, PhD, OTR, FAOTA, Professor, Occupational Therapy, St. Catherine University
  • Kim Herring, Senior Medical Device Sales Representative, B. Braun Interventional Systems, Inc.
  • Greg Hestness, Chief of Police (ret.), University of Minnesota
  • Rodney Jones, Operations Director, Primal Health, LLC
  • Elaine Love, Governmental Affairs Manager (ret.), Farmers Insurance Group
  • Michael Maus, Chair, PhD, Psychologist, Emeritus
  • J. Paul Seifert, Marketing Executive (ret.)
  • Rodger Skare, Director of Appraisal Services, TaTonka R.E. Advisors | RLS Valuation, Inc.
  • Kyle Van Acker, Workforce Development Manager, Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota
  • William E. Walsh, MD, CMI, Dept. of Otolaryngology, Hennepin Healthcare