Board of DirectorsBeechwood, Inc. was founded and incorporated in Minnesota in 1999. As a nonprofit organization, we are registered with the state and federal government and governed by an independent Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is committed to carrying forth the BeechWood mission of helping all people live independently by providing supportive services, training, advocacy, and supervision.
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Amy Gudmestad - President
Amy joined the BeechWood board in 2019. Currently Amy serves as the Executive Director of Minnesota Independence College and Community (MICC), an organization that educates and transitions adults on the Autism Spectrum and with other learning differences into independent living and employment. She has served in that role since 2012, and has worked for people on the Autism Spectrum since 2004. Amy is a graduate of the University of Iowa, and completed the Institute of Executive Director Leadership at the University of St. Thomas. In 2018, Amy was legislatively appointed to the State of Minnesota’s Autism work group and serves as an Of Counsel member. She has experience in non-profit strategic leadership, fundraising and organization growth. Amy is thrilled to be a part of the BeechWood team, while making a difference in the lives of those touched by the mission.
Amy joined the BeechWood board in 2019. Currently Amy serves as the Executive Director of Minnesota Independence College and Community (MICC), an organization that educates and transitions adults on the Autism Spectrum and with other learning differences into independent living and employment. She has served in that role since 2012, and has worked for people on the Autism Spectrum since 2004. Amy is a graduate of the University of Iowa, and completed the Institute of Executive Director Leadership at the University of St. Thomas. In 2018, Amy was legislatively appointed to the State of Minnesota’s Autism work group and serves as an Of Counsel member. She has experience in non-profit strategic leadership, fundraising and organization growth. Amy is thrilled to be a part of the BeechWood team, while making a difference in the lives of those touched by the mission.
James Falvey - Vice-President
James joined the BeechWood board in 2019. He has been leading Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly (LBFE) since 2015 in their mission to end isolation and loneliness among older adults in the Twin Cities and beyond. James has a degree in management form Concordia University St. Paul, and his professional experience includes leading the United Way in the Greater La Crosse, WI region, major gifts fundraising for a small, private university, and leadership roles in numerous environmental organizations. Currently, he serves as an executive board member for the Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging and has recently completed service as a member the Citizens League Taskforce exploring supportive decision-making for independent older adults who lack the traditional social support of family. With his wife of 19 years and their two children, James lives in Dellwood where he enjoys hiking in nature and an occasional home improvement project.
James joined the BeechWood board in 2019. He has been leading Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly (LBFE) since 2015 in their mission to end isolation and loneliness among older adults in the Twin Cities and beyond. James has a degree in management form Concordia University St. Paul, and his professional experience includes leading the United Way in the Greater La Crosse, WI region, major gifts fundraising for a small, private university, and leadership roles in numerous environmental organizations. Currently, he serves as an executive board member for the Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging and has recently completed service as a member the Citizens League Taskforce exploring supportive decision-making for independent older adults who lack the traditional social support of family. With his wife of 19 years and their two children, James lives in Dellwood where he enjoys hiking in nature and an occasional home improvement project.
Dustin Bystrom - Treasurer & Secretary
Dustin joined the BeechWood board in 2018 after completing a MSW practicum with BeechWood. He graduated from UW-Stout with a Bachelor’s degree in Vocational Rehabilitation and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Social Work at Augsburg University. Currently, Dustin is the Statewide Employment and Reentry Program Manager with Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans; he has been with the agency since 2016. Professional interests include: social justice, equality, housing, and economic security. A firm believer in providing opportunities for all to live the life they desire, Dustin is passionate about the mission and values of BeechWood. In his free time he enjoys browsing record shops, woodworking, and repairing vintage electronic equipment. He lives with his wife, son, and two great danes in Saint Paul MN.
Dustin joined the BeechWood board in 2018 after completing a MSW practicum with BeechWood. He graduated from UW-Stout with a Bachelor’s degree in Vocational Rehabilitation and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Social Work at Augsburg University. Currently, Dustin is the Statewide Employment and Reentry Program Manager with Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans; he has been with the agency since 2016. Professional interests include: social justice, equality, housing, and economic security. A firm believer in providing opportunities for all to live the life they desire, Dustin is passionate about the mission and values of BeechWood. In his free time he enjoys browsing record shops, woodworking, and repairing vintage electronic equipment. He lives with his wife, son, and two great danes in Saint Paul MN.
Linda Brathen - Director
Linda Brathen joined the BeechWood board in February 2016. Her life work has been coordinating caregiver support groups and volunteer visitation. She is a wonderful grandmother and lived in Norway for several years.
Linda Brathen joined the BeechWood board in February 2016. Her life work has been coordinating caregiver support groups and volunteer visitation. She is a wonderful grandmother and lived in Norway for several years.
Dianne Dodge Schulze - Director
Dianne joined the BeechWood board in 2018. She is a graduate from St Catherine’s University and has an RN license and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Dianne is a retired Public Health Nurse and worked at Hennepin County for 27 years. Her clients were young disabled adults and she specialized in clients who had brain injuries. Dianne’s main focus was keeping her clients safe in the community and as independent as possible. Dianne says, “This was accomplished by finding the right housing for them and providing the services they needed. Beechwood was an agency that could provide these services successfully. I enjoy being on the Board at Beechwood because agencies like this are keeping young adults out of nursing homes.”
Dianne joined the BeechWood board in 2018. She is a graduate from St Catherine’s University and has an RN license and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Dianne is a retired Public Health Nurse and worked at Hennepin County for 27 years. Her clients were young disabled adults and she specialized in clients who had brain injuries. Dianne’s main focus was keeping her clients safe in the community and as independent as possible. Dianne says, “This was accomplished by finding the right housing for them and providing the services they needed. Beechwood was an agency that could provide these services successfully. I enjoy being on the Board at Beechwood because agencies like this are keeping young adults out of nursing homes.”
Cynthia Paulson - Director
Cynthia joined the BeechWood board in 2019. She is a retired non-profit executive with a focus on affordable housing issues and small business development. She specializes in organizational development, fundraising, and program and policy development. Her interests include reading and traveling and removing clutter from her home.
Cynthia joined the BeechWood board in 2019. She is a retired non-profit executive with a focus on affordable housing issues and small business development. She specializes in organizational development, fundraising, and program and policy development. Her interests include reading and traveling and removing clutter from her home.
Morgan Kluender - Director
Morgan joined the Beechwood board in 2020. She has over 18 years’ experience in the Revenue Cycle industry. Since 2016, she has worked as Revenue Cycle Director at NUWAY, a non-profit organization serving individuals recovering from co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. Morgan brings experience in the capture, management, and collection of client service revenue as well as payer contracting and credentialing. She is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, and recently achieved her national certification through AAHAM as a Certified Revenue Cycle Executive (CRCE).
Morgan joined the Beechwood board in 2020. She has over 18 years’ experience in the Revenue Cycle industry. Since 2016, she has worked as Revenue Cycle Director at NUWAY, a non-profit organization serving individuals recovering from co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. Morgan brings experience in the capture, management, and collection of client service revenue as well as payer contracting and credentialing. She is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, and recently achieved her national certification through AAHAM as a Certified Revenue Cycle Executive (CRCE).
Noah Gelding - Director
Noah joined the BeechWood board in 2020. Noah's nonprofit career continues to be dedicated to elevating the assets and collective power of communities through his advancement, development, and philanthropy roles. Currently the Director of Advancement for The Sanneh Foundation, a holistic youth development organization that empowers young people and their families through education, social and emotional development, and physical well-being, Noah's passions include children, youth, and families; disability advocacy; environmental stewardship; and animal welfare. Having served in a variety of fundraising and governance roles for nearly 20 years in the Twin Cities nonprofit sector, Noah is excited to help share the story of BeechWood through the lens of those being served.
Noah joined the BeechWood board in 2020. Noah's nonprofit career continues to be dedicated to elevating the assets and collective power of communities through his advancement, development, and philanthropy roles. Currently the Director of Advancement for The Sanneh Foundation, a holistic youth development organization that empowers young people and their families through education, social and emotional development, and physical well-being, Noah's passions include children, youth, and families; disability advocacy; environmental stewardship; and animal welfare. Having served in a variety of fundraising and governance roles for nearly 20 years in the Twin Cities nonprofit sector, Noah is excited to help share the story of BeechWood through the lens of those being served.
Nicole Lussier - Director
Nicole joined the BeechWood board in 2020. She comes to the board with years of fundraising and event management experience. Nicole is currently an Event Manager at Auction Harmony, a company that partners with nonprofit organizations to plan large scale fundraising events. Originally from Los Angeles, Nicole is a graduate of Luther College in northeast Iowa and is grateful to serve on the BeechWood board.
Nicole joined the BeechWood board in 2020. She comes to the board with years of fundraising and event management experience. Nicole is currently an Event Manager at Auction Harmony, a company that partners with nonprofit organizations to plan large scale fundraising events. Originally from Los Angeles, Nicole is a graduate of Luther College in northeast Iowa and is grateful to serve on the BeechWood board.