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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Mark Simpson - President
Mark joined the BeechWood board in 2016. He attended the U of MN for his MSW and is a licensed LICSW. He worked for 31 years as a Hennepin County social worker. His jobs have included working in in-home parent education (the Parent Support Project), adult protection services, mental health case management, and the mobile mental health crisis team (COPE). Since retirement, he still is works at Ramsey County yard waste sites monitoring drop-offs.
Mark joined the BeechWood board in 2016. He attended the U of MN for his MSW and is a licensed LICSW. He worked for 31 years as a Hennepin County social worker. His jobs have included working in in-home parent education (the Parent Support Project), adult protection services, mental health case management, and the mobile mental health crisis team (COPE). Since retirement, he still is works at Ramsey County yard waste sites monitoring drop-offs.
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.”
James Falvey - Director
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.
Amy Gudmestad - Director
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.
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.
Shannon Regan - Director
Shannon joined the BeechWood board in 2017. She received her BA in education at the U of MN and AA in Anthroposophy and Eurythmy in Glencraig, Northern Ireland. She taught high school for 8 years in Chicago and the Twin Cities with an emphasis on Study Skills. Subsequently, Shannon worked for 19 years at Abbott Hospital in the "Park House" program (a day health/mental health facility for people living with HIV/AIDS) as a Volunteer Coordinator, Special Events Coordinator, and Treatment Coordinator.
Shannon joined the BeechWood board in 2017. She received her BA in education at the U of MN and AA in Anthroposophy and Eurythmy in Glencraig, Northern Ireland. She taught high school for 8 years in Chicago and the Twin Cities with an emphasis on Study Skills. Subsequently, Shannon worked for 19 years at Abbott Hospital in the "Park House" program (a day health/mental health facility for people living with HIV/AIDS) as a Volunteer Coordinator, Special Events Coordinator, and Treatment Coordinator.
Linda Woodford - Director
Linda rejoined the BeechWood board in 2020. She is a co-founder of the organization and served as its Executive Director until 2015.
Linda rejoined the BeechWood board in 2020. She is a co-founder of the organization and served as its Executive Director until 2015.