2026 MNDONA Fall Conference Speakers
| Julie Apold, PhD As Vice President of Quality at LeadingAge Minnesota, Julie Apold develops programs and strategies that help aging services providers implement and sustain quality improvement, safety, and performance excellence practices. Julie leads the association’s quality initiatives, supports the Quality and Technology Work Groups, and contributes to the work of the LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation. With more than 20 years of experience in healthcare quality and safety across the continuum of care—including over a decade as Senior Director of Patient Safety and Quality at the Minnesota Hospital Association—Julie brings deep expertise in systems improvement, human factors, and organizational performance. Julie holds a PhD in Human Factors and Ergonomics from the University of Minnesota. |
 | Nicole Barnett Nicole Barnett is a Board-Certified Geriatric Pharmacist, LTC clinical consultant and ASCP recognized Age-Friendly Pharmacist with focus on medication optimization and deprescribing. Nicole is experienced in supporting long-term care teams through educational initiatives and clinical resources to improve medication safety, navigate regulatory compliance and support survey readiness, all with the same goal of improving overall quality of resident care. |
| Lyla Burkman, RN Lyla Burkman is a registered nurse with 30+ years of long-term care experience. |
| Sandy Delgehausen, RN/BSN/PHN SD Quality Consulting, LLC - Owner/Operator
Today, as the sole owner/operator of SD Quality Consulting, she partners with skilled nursing facilities to strengthen quality systems, improve survey readiness/outcomes, reduce organizational quality risk, and build sustainable processes that support excellence in resident care. Her mission is to help long-term care organizations navigate complex regulatory environments while achieving high standards of clinical quality, operational effectiveness, and resident satisfaction. Prior to starting her own consulting business, she served as the Regional Director of SNF Clinical Support and Quality Metrics for Cassia. Recognized for her depth of knowledge, practical leadership, and commitment to continuous improvement, she remains a trusted advisor to skilled nursing organizations seeking to elevate quality performance and create lasting success. |
| Kari Everson Kari Everson, is Vice President of Clinical Services for LeadingAge Minnesota and owner of EverCare Consulting. As a registered nurse, licensed nursing home administrator and licensed assisted living director, Kari brings experience across nursing homes, assisted living, and home care. She has served in roles from bedside nurse and nursing supervisor to director of nursing and organizational leader, giving her a practical, system-wide perspective on quality, compliance, and operations. Kari partners with senior communities to navigate surveys, align with regulatory and governance standards, strengthen clinical programs, and optimize staffing and competencies all in service of resident well-being. She serves on the faculty of the University of Minnesota’s Health Services Management program. A frequent speaker on clinical, operational, and regulatory topics, Kari is known for translating complex requirements into actionable practices that elevate care and support the professionals who provide it. |
Shannon Gilb, LNHA, MBA Shannon Gilb has been a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator for over 14 years. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in long term care administration and finance and a Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration. Shannon is currently a Regional Operations Manager with the Minnesota Department of Health in the Health Regulations Division and oversees evaluation, rapid response, and case mix teams. |
| Kristi Huber, MBA Kristi Huber, MBA is a seasoned executive leader, ICF certified executive coach, strategic advisor, and the founder of Perspective Shift Consulting. She brings over 20 years of experience leading mission-driven organizations and high-performing teams, including serving as a non-profit President & CEO and EVP & Chief Marketing Officer for a multi-billion dollar insurance company. With a track record of navigating complex change, Kristi is known for her ability to build trust, inspire alignment, and drive strategic transformation. Kristi lives in West Fargo, North Dakota with her husband, Gregg. |
| Robert Rodè Robert Rodè is the President of Rodè & Coffin and practices in the areas of health law, civil litigation, employment law, and administrative law. Rob has a special emphasis on elder care providers including Nursing Homes, Assisted Living, home health, rehab, adult day, hospice and housing and the licensed professionals in all settings. Rob represents and advises clients on issues including regulatory/legal compliance, surveys/appeals, complaint investigations, behaviors, discharges/evictions, contracts, dispute resolution, employment, CHOW and start-ups, licensing, ethics and accounts receivable. Rob is a frequent speaker, arbitrator, adjunct professor, active with various state and national provider and legal associations, has been designated a “super lawyer” and named as one of the “50 for the next 50” innovative leaders in older adult services. |
| Kelly Thorson Kelly Thorson is a registered nurse with more than 30 years of service to the State of Minnesota, and she’s spent that time making a meaningful difference in the lives of the people she serves. She got her start at the historic Kirkbride building in Fergus Falls, working at the Regional Treatment Center, where she had experience in long term care, chemical dependency, and mental health. Those early years shaped her understanding of the diverse needs Minnesotans face. Kelly served as a lead nurse at the Community Addiction Recovery Enterprise (CARE) facility and eventually stepped into the role of Nursing Supervisor. Whether she was supporting recovery, guiding care teams, or helping build services that make treatment more accessible, Kelly has always kept her focus on what matters most, the people. Her passion for making sure Minnesotans receive compassionate high-quality care has been the driving force behind every role she’s taken on, and it continues to inspire her work today. Currently, Kelly serves as a Regional Evaluation Supervisor, leading a team of nurse evaluators conducting regulatory surveys for assisted living and state-licensed home care providers throughout the St. Cloud area. |
| Colleen Toebe, RN-MSN CWCN RAC-MTA -RAC-MT, DNS-MT Pathway Health Services - Vice President of Clinical Services Ms. Toebe has 35 years of nursing experience, including critical care, long-term care, assisted living, and home care. In addition, Colleen is a Master Trainer for the American Association of Post-Acute Care Nurses and provides certification classes on the topics of MDS, Medicare Specialist, and Director of Nursing. Colleen is compassionate in promoting a standard of excellence in caring for older adults and is a Certified Trainer on the Positive Approach to Care. In Ms. Toebe’s role as a Nurse Consultant with Pathway Health Services, she has excelled in her performance in interim leadership roles in long-term care and assisted living, developed educational programs, and served as a National Clinical Reimbursement Specialist. She aspires to promote quality of care and has a Six Sigma Green Belt in Health Care. Colleen’s passion is to promote excellence in long-term care through education, mentoring, and ongoing quality improvement. |
