Executive Staff
Rebecca Ellenson - Executive Director
rellenson@soarcareers.org
722 -3126 Ext. 2412
Rebecca Ellenson is the Executive Director of SOAR Career Solutions. She has over fifteen years of leadership experience in the non-profit environment. Prior to accepting her current position in September 2004, she worked as a private consultant, specializing in grant-writing, program and curriculum development, and strategic planning and evaluation for local non-profits.
Rebecca worked as project developer at Center City Housing Corp. in Duluth, assisting in a $6 million re-development of a 70-unit apartment complex, advocating for additional affordable housing development in Duluth, and serving on numerous community development boards, coalitions, and networks.
In 1990, Rebecca was ordained as a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and served as a parish pastor for 11 years. In addition to general pastoral duties, she was responsible for supervising numerous staff and large groups of volunteers, developing programs, building coalitions and partnerships, budgeting, and fund development. Rebecca established a network of small group ministry—recruiting, training, and supervising 35-50 leaders a year, marketing those groups, and creating and/or identifying curricula.
Rebecca holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Concordia College, Moorhead, MN, and a master of divinity degree from Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, IA. She is a graduate of the Development Training Institute’s Project Development Program, a 120-hour course on board development, community building, neighborhood revitalization, fundraising, leadership, and managing the affordable housing development process.
She has served on several area non-profit boards and committees, including six years on the CHUM Board of Directors, three as president.
David Mattson - Associate Director
dmattson@soarcareers.org
722-3126 Ext. 2411
David Mattson is the Associate Director at SOAR Career Solutions. He has over 15 years of experience in management and financial planning. He is responsible for the data collection system at SOAR and manages a sophisticated data base and reporting system. David performs all the financial management, accounting, and budgeting functions for the organization. He has been with SOAR since October 2001.
Prior to his current position, David worked for the St. Scholastica Monastery for 16 years, progressively advancing from an unskilled entry-level position as a dishwasher to diet clerk, certified dietary manager, interim food service director, and ultimately as information coordinator/supervisor. In each position, he demonstrated leadership and systems development skills. He was responsible for creating a comprehensive computer program to manage all aspects of the Food Services Department. David aggressively seeks new learning and more efficient and effective ways to complete whatever task is before him.
David holds a bachelor’s degree in history/political science from the University of Minnesota, Duluth. He gained his accounting training at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College and has completed extensive continuing education work in data base programming, office management, and leadership development. David is a "Certified Nonprofit Accounting Professional" (CNAP) as of November 2007.
Administrative Staff
Cathy Lasley - Administrative Assistant
clasley@soarcareers.org
722-3126 Ext. 2401
Cathy Lasley is SOAR Career Solutions’ Administrative Assistant. She has 20+ years experience in bookkeeping, customer service, and assisting business administrations. As the Administrative Assistant, she is responsible for providing administrative and staff support to the general organizational operations. Working under the direct supervision of the Associate Director, she performs all routine administrative duties, is responsible for providing excellent customer service, assisting staff and completing a variety of bookkeeping functions along with assignments of a diverse nature requiring attention to detail and efficiency.
Cathy chose to work at SOAR because she likes the idea of helping people and giving back to the community. She feels she can make a difference by being part of SOAR’s mission to help people recognize their potential and realize their dreams.
Linnea Lebens - Office Assistant
llebens@soarcareers.org
722-3126 Ext. 2409
Linnea Lebens is the Employment Services Office Assistant. She started at SOAR the summer of 2011. She oversees the Computer Resource Lab and assists Career Specialists in coordinating workshops. Linnea graduated from UW-Superior in 2010 with a BA in Broad Field Social Studies. She has experience working and volunteering with non-profits organizations. She is excited to work for SOAR and help people help themselves find meaningful and sustainable employment.
Employment Services Staff
Amy Westbrook - Employment Services Director
awestbrook@soarcareers.org
722-3126 Ext 2413
Formerly a Career Specialist at SOAR, Amy rejoined the SOAR staff in June, 2009 after working at Lake Superior College for four years in Customized Training and Continuing Education. She brings valuable expertise in program development, sales and marketing in non-profit work and the private sector, coupled with a deep understanding and commitment to SOAR's programs and values.
Westbrook has a BA in International Studies and Japanese from the University of the Pacific in Stockton,CA.
Jason Beckman - Disabilities Career Specialist
jbeckman@soarcareers.org
722-3126 Ext. 2417
Jason Beckman is SOAR’s Disabilities Career Specialist. He provides career services to all job seekers using a holistic and creative approach, while respecting the core values and talents they have brought with them.
Jason graduated from Metropolitan State University in Minneapolis in 2002 with a Bachelors degree in Psychology and a minor in criminal justice. He has worked in the human services field for more than 15 years, in the areas of counseling, nursing, housing, and now employment. Most recently he was the case manager at the Salvation Army’s Family Transitional Housing Program. He’s pleased to work at SOAR because of SOAR’s mission, philosophy, and excellent previous history with clients.
John Bartikoski - Career Specialist
jbartikoski@soarcareers.org
722-3126 Ext. 2419
John has worked at SOAR since June, 2010 and comes to us with over six years of experience in the nonprofit human services sector. In his role as a Career Specialist, he enjoys assisting clients develop career goals to find ideal jobs. He also teaches the STEPS (Steps to Economic and Personal Success) workshop at off-site locations.
A former volunteer at SOAR, John enjoys helping people find meaningful employment. He holds a BA in Psychology and Communication from UMD. He is a native Duluthian.
Alexis Carlson - Career Specialist
acarlson@soarcareers.org
722-3126 Ext. 2402
Alexis Carlson has been at SOAR since, August 2009 as a Career Specialist. She has worked in the Human Services field for over four years providing customer service to a variety of clients in securing employment. Prior to coming to SOAR; she taught computer training to a diverse population with a nonprofit agency. She brings over 15 years of employment history from both the public/private sector. She also facilitates the new Career Quest workshop. She's delighted to be a part of a team that is "Keeping Our Community Working.
Community Offender Reentry Program (CORP) Staff
Dana Race - Case Manager
drace@soarcareers.org
722-3126 Ext. 2408
Dana Race is a Community Offender Reentry Program (CORP) Case Manager. She offers assistance and resources for persons who are leaving their former lives behind and are ready to become productive and active members of society. Dana also facilitates a Women's Support Group and a Recovery Support Group for the clients of CORP. Prior to her current position, Dana worked in the criminal defense field for over 10 years serving as a paralegal and investigator. Dana holds a BA in Criminology from the University of Minnesota Duluth. Dana has stated, "Being a Case Manager working with individuals and assisting them with overcoming their barriers is her dream job.
Nicole Buehrer - Case Manager
nbuehrer@soarcareers.org
722-3126 Ext. 2404
Nicole has worked at SOAR since February 2011. As a case manager in the Community Offender Reentry Program, she assists individuals coming out of incarceration to meet their goals. Nicole co-facilitates a men's group and hosts the program's mentor activities. Nicole has a BA in Sociology and Criminology from UMD, and is completing her Master's degree.
Americorps VISTA Volunteer
Ryan Hebert
Ryan Hebert is an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer serving as the Mentor Coordinator for the Community Offender Reentry Program (CORP) at SOAR. He also does work involving development of business relationships between SOAR and local employers. Ryan is a recent graduate of UW-Superior, with a B.S. in Sociology and a minor in Global Studies. He joined the team in August 2011 and enjoys matching community volunteers with ex-offenders who are eager to change.
SOAR Career Solutions · 205 West 2nd Street · Suite 101 · Duluth, MN 55802
Phone: (218) 722-3126 · Fax: (218) 722-4617 · Email: info@soarcareers.org
This website was made possible through a grant from the Duluth/Superior Area Community Foundation.