Club Team

The Highland Friendship Club is committed to offering events that are safe and fun for all of our members. The Club employs four part-time program staff members, all young adults who can relate to the unique interests of members in this age group. A part-time executive director provides fundraising and administrative support. All paid staff members have experience working with people with disabilities and have passed a full background check.

Dusty Thune,
Program Coordinator
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Dusty has been with the Highland Friendship Club since its founding in 2002. Always up for a challenge, Dusty takes the club to new places and heights through outdoor adventures and artistic expression. Members appreciate his infectious smile, jokes and warm personality as well as his ability to engage even the shyest members.

An adventurer at heart, Dusty has worked extensively with young adults, with and without disabilities. He has led out-door adventure trips for young adults with and without disabilities through Wilderness Inquiry that challenge individuals to go beyond mental and physical boundaries. Goods times are had when bugs, nature and self-discovery become the focal points for learning.

Dusty's background experiences reflect his ambition. He has worked as a firefighter/EMT a lifeguard, a canoe instructor and completed a degree at the University of Minnesota. Dusty is currently a personal care provider, and a special education teaching assistant at Bridge View School and is also finishing up a Master's degree in Special Education from the University of St. Thomas.

Katie Thune,
Program Coordinator
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Katie also has been with the Highland Friendship Club since it's founding in 2002. The experience offered more than a job. She met her future husband, Dusty, while both worked with the Highland Friendship Club and they were married in 2005. Katie keeps things organized and is often the first staff person that club members encounter when they sign in at an event or activity. Katie has a knack for remembering details about club members' preferences and goes out of her way to make sure that everyone is comfortable and having fun.

Katie is a special education teacher at Bridge View School with the St. Paul Public Schools and also has experience as a personal care assistant. She is a certified first aid and CPR instructor and has taught CPR classes for Highland Friendship Club members and family. Katie's teaching abilities are not limited to children; she is pursuing a license for the "Adventure Dog," Neo, to become a helper for people with disabilities. Katie is also currently finishing her Master's degree in Special Education from the University of St. Thomas.

Jenifer Josephson,
Music Program Coordinator
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Jen was one of the first people hired by the Highland Friendship Club. She brings her passion for music to our activities by coordinating a music program that is a favorite of Highland Friendship Club members. By the end of the 8-10 week music program, even the quietest members find themselves singing or playing an instrument, thanks largely to Jen's encouraging words and the playful environment she creates. Club members who participate in the music program share their favorite music and, together, the group learns about all types of music - from Jimi Hendrix to Elvis to old show tunes.

Jennifer is a Board Certified Neurologic Music Therapist who works as a music therapist at MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis. She is currently working on her Master's degree in Special Education at the University of St. Thomas.

Beth Engelking,
Music Program Staff
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Beth joined the Highland Friendship Club staff in June 2006 and is our newest staff member. She assists Jen with the music program. Beth is able to coax a smile out of the most reluctant participant. She has experience in both performing and teaching music.

Beth is taking classes at the University of Minnesota to complete her degree in music therapy and hopes to become a Board certified music therapist in the future.

Mary McKeown,
Executive Director
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Mary was hired in November 2005 as the Highland Friendship Club's part-time Executive Director. Mary will answer your emails, coordinate registration activities, promote club events and update the website. She is also responsible for writing grants to support the organization, supervises the program staff, recruits and supervises volunteers and supports the Board of Directors.

Mary has over 20 years of experience working with community-based nonprofits primarily in St. Paul. She is a licensed social worker and has a Master's degree in Human Services Administration from St. Mary's University.

Board of Directors

The Highland Friendship Club is fortunate to have a very active and involved Board of Directors that includes representatives of HFC families and business and community partners. Members of the Board of Directors are:

Pat Leseman, Chair
Parent, Contract Specialist with H.U.D
A co-founder of HFC, Pat is involved in creating opportunities for new partnerships with community organizations, as well as encouraging and supporting the Board of Directors.

Rosemary Fagrelius, Vice Chair
Parent, Independent Consultant
Rose co-founded the HFC with Pat and brings extensive non-profit experience in program development, grant writing and event planning to the board.

Jim LeDuc, Secretary
Director, Focus Beyond Programs, Saint Paul Public Schools (Retired)
Prior to retiring in June 2006, Jim was instrumental in developing programs within the St. Paul Public Schools system to ensure that young adults with disabilities connected with the greater community. He brings invaluable insights to our activities.

Shelly Harris, Treasurer
Executive Director, Highland Business Association
Shelly's experience in operating a small community non-profit is invaluable as HFC continues to grow. She also provides financial expertise as the HFC's volunteer bookkeeper.

Alisha Johnson
Director of Marketing, Highland Bank
Alisha brings the perspective of a community business partner to our strategies and helps HFC develop partnerships with local businesses that provide in-kind and financial support for HFC.

Paul Nyberg
Math Teacher, Cretin-Derham Hall
Our primary link with Cretin-Derham Hall, Paul encourages students and staff to become involved in HFC and coordinates CDH-hosted events and activities such as the yearly spiritual retreat and a dance.