 Vlade and his 5-year-old son are excited to celebrate the holiday season in their new home. After finding sobriety, Vlade and his son found themselves at Dakota Woodlands as he worked on getting back on track. He took advantage of the support and encouragement from staff and case managers to take the steps in the right direction. He accessed support from our District 196 liaison to enroll and obtain a scholarship for his son to attend preschool. His son has loved school and the friends he is making. Vlade said that the structure and support he received at Dakota Woodlands helped him and his son get his priorities in order. He participated in our trauma group, RentWise classes, and budgeting classes where he was able to build the skills he needs for his family. He is currently taking classes at Dakota Institute and continues to make positive choices for his family. While staying here, Vlade helped other clients with his positive spirit and encouragement. Your support helps clients like Vlade on their journey to self-sufficiency. Thank you for making it possible.  Dakota Woodlands' board of directors is excited to introduce Colleena Carlisle as our new Executive Director!
Colleena has over a decade of experience in non-profit leadership and extensive expertise in the for-profit sector as a CEO and Founder. Her career has been rooted in maternal and family services, women’s development, and health, with a passion for helping individuals holistically grow into their best selves, fostering self-sufficiency and purpose-driven lives. Throughout her career, she has held leadership roles such as Director of Client Services, Director of Operations, Interim Executive Director, and Director of Outreach and Marketing. Colleena has supported organizations through strategic planning and expansion, consistently driving growth and operational improvement. Her goal at Dakota Woodlands is to enhance the organization’s day-to-day operations, establishing a solid foundation that will support her vision of leading Dakota Woodlands through strategic growth and expansion. Colleena is pursuing her master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in Leadership and Change Management. She also holds several coaching certifications, including trauma-informed, leadership and development, and a PCC-level certification recognized by the International Coaching Federation (ICF). She earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology, with a focus on law, from the University of Minnesota. In her free time, Colleena enjoys spending time with her family and fitness activities. Please join us in welcoming Colleena to the Dakota Woodlands team! |