Board & Leadership

Julie has thirty years’ experience in Human Resources as a leader, practitioner, educator, and consultant. Currently Julie serves as Learning and Organization Development Consultant at Metropolitan Council, designing and implement leadership development curriculum and coaching leaders. Julie previously owned and operated a consulting business, Right4Your Business, specializing in providing HR solutions for small to mid-sized businesses. In an previous HR Leadership role at Land O’Lakes, Inc., she led the Corporate HR function and aspects of a $341 million merger, successfully integrating two businesses and achieving objectives and provided executive, manager, and individual coaching and designed and delivered leadership development curriculum.

Julie was full-time faculty for five years and has taught in the Human Resources Management Program at Concordia St. Paul for the past 12 years. Julie holds a Doctor of Management Degree from the University of Phoenix, a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from the University of St. Catherine’s, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources Management from Metropolitan State University.

Alan coaches youth and high school wrestling in the Osseo school district and serves as an ambassador for the I-94West Chamber of Commerce.

"We all could use better tools in our mental health toolbox. I love the Lee Carlson Center's mission, especially when it comes to providing accessible mental health services in the schools. I am honored for the opportunity to serve on the board for this amazing team of professionals."

Alan lives in Dayton with his wife Jen and their son Summit.

Tom graduated from Bethel College (now University) in December of 1999 and continued his 1999 summer internship at Norwest/Wells Fargo as his first professional job in January of 2000.  Tom has spent the last 23 years in commercial banking, which has included doing financial analysis of organizations within many different industries.  His career has helped him understand the importance of strong leadership within an organization, as well as prudent financial management to improve the chances of longevity.

In Tom’s adult life, he has had many volunteer roles at church and in the community. Leadership roles listed below:

• Eagle Brook Church Kids Ministry volunteer role of Team Lead for 10 years and now as a Director since 2021.
• Lino Lakes Economic Development Advisory Committee for two years.
• Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for 6 years & Board Chair for one year.
• Centennial Soccer Club board member for 4 years and head of the Tech Committee for one year.

Northeast Bank has had a long history with Lee Carlson Center for Mental Health and Well-Being.  This connection has always piqued Tom’s interest due to the good that it has been doing in our community.  More recently it has become apparent that we are at a precipice of something big in this environment due to the saturation and impact (some good, some bad) of social media in our lives, as well as the effects of pandemic.  Tom’s eyes have been opened to the significant need for not only self-care, but also professional care of mental health.

Lee Carlson Center for Mental Health and Well-Being has been helping our community with mental and emotional health for many years, while being creative and innovative in its efforts.  These effort have had an impact, and Tom is excited for the chance to help this work continue and grow in its impact in the years to come.

Sue joined our Board in October 2018.  She has over 30 years of experience as Director of Special Education in the Anoka Hennepin School District, the largest school district in MN.

Sue worked closely with agency founder, Lee Carlson for many years and was inspired by her compassion for underserved families from Anoka County.

Sue believes there is hope and healing for all who experience emotional health issues and is passionate and energized by her role as a Board Member.

Captain Johnston has been in law enforcement for 20 years, all of those with the Columbia Heights Police Department. He has worked in several roles to include school resource officer, investigator and sergeant.

Captain Johnston holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Metropolitan State University, St. Paul, and a Master’s Degree in Police Leadership from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul. He currently teaches undergraduate students in Criminal Justice at Metropolitan State University

Captain Johnston has played an important role in the community partnership and success of the Columbia Heights Police Department. The Columbia Heights Police Department has been recognized for its Community Policing initiatives to include the 2012 IACP Community Policing Award, 2015 IACP Community Policing Award Finalist, the DOJ COPS Office L. Anthony Sutin Award for Community Engagement, and others.

Captain Johnston believes in the importance of, and easy access to, quality mental health services and is excited to support the work of the Lee Carlson Center.

Susan provides operations and clinical oversight for all agency programs at Lee Carlson Center. She is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). Susan brings to her work a 30+ year background in program innovation, project management, School linked mental health, In-home therapeutic services, Play therapy, and crisis care treatment. She is currently a member of the American Counselors Association, the Association of Play Therapy, and is active with the child and family services association AspireMN of which Lee Carlson Center is a member.

Katie is Chief Operating Officer. Katie’s therapy style is relationship oriented and insight focused. She enjoys group work and believes group therapy can be a highly effective change agent. Katie specializes in working with adolescents who are in need of a high level services. She is a member of the Association for Specialists in Group Work and has experience working with people who struggle with depression, anxiety, social skills, trauma, self-harm, and suicidal ideation.