Staff
People in transition or crisis feel isolated and need a welcoming space where they can feel connected and accepted. Our committed and compassionate staff members are essential to making our mission possible each and every day.
Leadership
Molly
Executive Director
Systemic and cyclical poverty require persistent rivalry. Molly has worked in social service program management focused on low-income housing and the unsheltered for over 20 years. She received a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Minnesota and earned a Master of Nonprofit Management (MNM) from Hamline University School of Business. Molly believes in and is committed to being at the table, altering power imbalances and working against injustice.
Mary Margaret
Director of Operations
Our societal challenges range vastly and Mary Margaret has spent the majority of her career working to make a difference for children, families, communities and now for our most vulnerable adults that Listening House serves each day. Mary Margaret has worked in non-profit management for 15 years and grew two successful businesses. She utilizes all of her personal and professional experiences to further Listening House's mission of "Radical Hospitality" for guests, staff, volunteers, and community partners.
Mark
Program Manager
Mark comes to Listening House with a deep understanding of what it’s like to experience being unhoused after spending an extensive amount of time experiencing homelessness as a teenager. During his time as a housing case manager at Handy Helper, he also built an in-depth knowledge of how to navigate the complex maze that makes up the housing support system.
It also explains why he’s come to Listening House. “I wanted to help people deal with some of the things I’d been through.”
A father of two, his own experience, coupled with his work in the housing field, have given him a unique perspective and plenty of practical insights. He sums up his philosophy in a single sentence.
“Giving people hope is sometimes all they need.”
mark@listeninghouse.org
Arantxa
Executive Administrative Assistant
Inver Grove Heights resident Arantxa comes to Listening House after working at a daycare center and volunteering at a children’s hospital. She believes her instinct to help others comes from being the oldest child in her family. “By being the oldest of four children,” she explains, “I think I’ve developed a strong tendency to help others.”
Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family, watching Anime, Lilo & Stitch, and reading fiction — especially by her favorite author, Sarah J. Maas.
Staff
Aaron
Program Advocate
He’s got 40 years of ballroom dancing experience and a knack for gardening. However, it’s the knowledge from years as a sous chef in Chicago and the Twin Cities that Aaron will bring to our kitchen that we’ll most likely use on a regular basis.
A devoted family man, he brings a calm, thoughtful prescience to our guests at Listening House, always willing to offer a helping hand or a kind word.
Alfred
Program Advocate
Alfred has lived experience that he brings to his job every day as a Program Advocate and Custodian at the Listening House since 2021. When our Freedom House location opened, Alfred would spend his days cleaning and caring for the building.
He joined the staff in June of 2021. He brings his experiences of cultural traditions, personal challenges, and his joy of helping people to his job every day. He reminds us all that sometimes, it's okay to let people be — give them space to breathe.
Andrea
Volunteer Coordinator & Program Advocate
After 20 years Andrea has returned to her Listening House roots! Coming back to us after working for the City of St. Paul’s Homeless Assistance Response Team.
Her time with the city opened her eyes to the many gaps and pitfalls our unsheltered community experience, all while navigating mental health complications, chemical addiction, alienation and isolation. Her goal is to use this experience as a building block for opening her own unique shelter designed to break down the walls between all our communities - so she can continue to do her part to provide hope and dignity to our unsheltered neighbors.
Brian
Social Media & Communications
With several years of experience in marketing and communication for non-profits in the Twin Cities, Brian hopes to build on the impressive work that’s already been done at Listening House to help tell the story of the great work that’s being done.
He has degrees in communications and public affairs, certificates in project management and conflict management, and lots of time working in various areas of digital marketing.
HP
Program Advocate
HP is back with Listening House after working with us during our time at Freedom House.
Born in Georgia, HP came to Minnesota with his family when he was eight-years-old. He’s a dedicated program advocate with a strong work ethic and a commitment to fostering positive relationships. In his free time, HP enjoys yoga, exercise, meditation, and designing computer graphics.
Johnny
St. Paul Work Now
Lead Coordinator
Johnny Griffin joined Listening House in the summer of 2018. During his time at Listening House, he has advanced from program advocate to manager.
Tooled with many years of experience supporting unsheltered guests in housing, treatment, and employment services, Johnny is a strong resourced advocate.
Jonas
Custodian
Though he spent much of his childhood in a small town in Kenya, Jonas was actually born in South Dakota to South Sudanese refugee parents.
After a short stay in New York City, he returned to the Midwest, discovered Listening House, and quickly endeared himself to the staff, first by always being willing to help out — and then by standing up and reciting his poetry during Listening House’s first-ever Talent Show!
Kate
Program Advocate
We’re excited to welcome Kate back to Listening House! She’s returning after some time away - she worked with us at Freedom House from 2021-2022. Her full-time position as a homelessness case manager in Hennepin County helps bring an incredible level of in-depth, practical experience to us at Listening House.
With degrees in English and public health and professional experience in childcare, bookstores, food service, hotel event sales, academia, and now social work, her knowledge, experience, and willingness to help out make her a welcome presence.
Her commitment to Listening House is founded in the belief that services for the unhoused should prioritize not just housing but also safety, comfort, and survival; and that, as stated by spiritual teacher Ram Dass “We are all just walking each other home.
Makayne
St. Paul Work Now -
Special Projects Coordinator
Most of Makayne's career has been in the world of education, spending years living and teaching English in Southeast Asia. She firmly believes community has the power to be both radical and transformative and champions the idea that we are stronger together.
Growing up, Makayne's parents always emphasized the importance of service and kindness, instilling in her a commitment to lending a helping hand — a philosophy which has led to her finding joy in building relationships, listening, learning, and supporting others within her community.
Sue
Program Advocate
Sue has built a career in Customer/Guest Services, and those skills and experience shine through every day at Listening House. She has watched throughout the lives of her four grown children and the hard times they’ve had getting apartments or a house, resulting in their living with her for a short time — all of which has led to her becoming passionate about affordable housing and the homeless. “Not everyone has a mom or relative to live with, but they all deserve to have a roof over their head, somewhere affordable and warm.”
Her busy schedule also includes working at a Family Homeless Shelter. She loves helping and visiting with the guests at Listening House everyday, and feels blessed to have their friendship.
Tina
Program Advocate
Outgoing and positive, Tina brings previous experience working with individuals on housing issues during her time with Avivo, Simpson Housing, and Ramsey County.
Her strong desire to help people led her to Listening House. “I love Listening House because you’re able to interact with people,” she explains. “People know we’re here to help them overcome any barriers they may be dealing with.”