Meet Our Team
ProAct’s team has decades of experience enriching the lives of individuals with disabilities.
With four locations in Eagan, Shakopee, Red Wing and Hudson, ProAct serves more than 700 individuals from over a dozen Minnesota and Wisconsin counties.
Executive Leadership
Judie Foster-Lupkin
President & CEO
Melissa Munce
Finance Director
Jo Ann Peine
HR Director & CCO
Doug Cowles
Program Director
Senior Leadership
Amanda Ballard
HR & Administrative Manager
Eagan, Shakopee, Hudson &
Red Wing
RaeAnn Knutson
Program Manager
Employment Development
Eagan, Shakopee & Red Wing
Ali Brown
Senior Program Manager
Day Support Services
Shakopee
Stephanie Osman
Senior Program Manager
Day Support Services
Eagan & Hudson
Jen Cavalier
Production Manager
Eagan
Gloria Solsaa
Senior Program Manager
Day Support Services
Red Wing
Jessica Gruber
Community Employment Manager
Eagan & Red Wing
Deb Ulrich
Program Manager
Employment Support & Individualized Home Supports Eagan, Shakopee & Red Wing
Officers
Brian Knapp
Chair
3M Fall Protection
Mary Ellen Leary
Vice Chair
The MEL Group, “People Solutions”
Charles DeNet
Treasurer
DeNet Kenefick & Associates, P.A
Paul Kramp
Secretary
Alliance Bank
Retired
Board of Directors
Dr. John Christiansen
Past Chair
Intermediate School District 917
Retired
Steve Quirk
Director
Quirk’s Media
Pat Jones
Director
Superior Home Care
Marty Stapleton
Director
Stapleton & McCloughan, PLLC
Retired
James Louwagie
Director
Merchants Bank
Retired
Arleen Sullivan
Director
Tradition Capital Bank
Teri McCloughan
Director
Stapleton & McCloughan, PLLC
Judie Foster-Lupkin
Ex-Officio
President & Chief Executive Officer
- What Year Did You Start at ProAct?
I started at ProAct June 1, 2020 – at the heart of COVID. - What’s Your Favorite Thing About Working at ProAct?
Working for a mission-centered organization and the diversity of my job! There is something new every day – talking with participants, changes in business, meeting community members – all are different and interesting to keep moving ProAct forward. - Where is Your Hometown?
Born in Hood River, Oregon – lived most of my life in Oregon. - What is Your Favorite Movie, Book or TV Show?
I watch a lot of crime shows – nothing like a good “murder and mayhem” series! I also watch HGTV for home projects. My two favorite movies are “The Shining” and “Wizard of Oz.” - What’s One Thing People Don’t Know About You?
I collect Wizard of Oz memorabilia. - What Quote Inspires You?
I love learning new things and one of my favorite quotes is “When you’re green, you grow, and when you’re ripe, you rot.”
- What Year Did You Start at ProAct?
2006 - What’s Your Favorite Thing About Working at ProAct?
Everyday is different and there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t laugh and smile. - Where is Your Hometown?
Cottage Grove, MN - What is Your Favorite Movie, Book or TV Show?
My Best Friend’s Wedding; All the Light We Cannot See; The Bear (currently) - What’s One Thing People Don’t Know About You?
I was a professional actor for many years and now dedicate free time to coaching my kids in youth basketball. - What Quote Inspires You?
“Good done anywhere is good done everywhere.” Maya Angelou
- What Year Did You Start at ProAct?
2006 - What’s Your Favorite Thing About Working at ProAct?
The positive impact we make in people’s lives. - Where is Your Hometown?
Hastings, MN - What is Your Favorite Movie, Book or TV Show?
Law & Order (all sub-versions) - What’s One Thing People Don’t Know About You?
I marched in Drum & Bugle Corps for many years growing up, traveling the United States and Canada. Experience in playing the trumpet & mellophone. - What Quote Inspires You?
“You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore, before you decide to be happy.” – Nightbird
- What Year Did You Start at ProAct?
2001 - What’s Your Favorite Thing About Working at ProAct?
My favorite thing about working at ProAct is the variety with the participants we serve, working with them in all areas of their day. I don’t always get to witness the successes, but hearing about them from the staff who help them achieve their goals is so rewarding! - Where is Your Hometown?
Dodge Center, MN - What is Your Favorite Movie, Book or TV Show?
I have so many of each one that it is hard to choose, but if I had to I would say my favorite movie is Hoosiers or The Sixth Sense. - What’s One Thing People Don’t Know About You?
I have had reconstructive surgery on each knee, blowing out my ACL and cartilage tears from playing high school basketball and college softball. - What Quote Inspires You?
“Five players on the floor functioning as one single unit: team, team, team – no one more important than the other.”
- What Year Did You Start at ProAct?
I started at IRC (ProAct) in 1994. - What’s Your Favorite Thing About Working at ProAct?
I love that no two days are the same. I also love when our participants show such excitement for doing new things and having new experiences. - Where is Your Hometown?
Webster, SD - What is Your Favorite Movie, Book or TV Show?
I am obsessed with the series, Ted Lasso. I’m also a big fan of Disney movies and love going to see musicals. - What’s One Thing People Don’t Know About You?
I love to bake, especially cookies….(and then giving them away so they aren’t at my house!) - What Quote Inspires You?
I love the conversation in the movie Evan Almighty, when God tells Evan’s wife to think about things that happen in life as opportunities to use the gifts he has given.
- What Year Did You Start at ProAct?
I started at ProAct in 1996 part-time, when I graduated high school I started full-time. - What’s Your Favorite Thing About Working at ProAct?
The participants. They make me laugh everyday. - Where is Your Hometown?
Burnsville, MN - What is Your Favorite Movie, Book or TV Show?
My favorite movie is The Usual Suspects. It’s from the 90s, but I’ll still stop and watch it every time it’s on. I’ll read anything mystery or suspense, and my favorite TV shows are anything cooking related. - What’s One Thing People Don’t Know About You?
I love to cook and make food from scratch. - What Quote Inspires You?
“Don’t worry when you are not recognized but strive to be worthy of recognition.” – Abraham Lincoln
- What Year Did You Start at ProAct?
2000 - What’s Your Favorite Thing About Working at ProAct?
Interacting with the participants! - Where is Your Hometown?
Eagan, MN - What is Your Favorite Movie, Book or TV Show?
In recent history – I loved Ted Lasso. - What’s One Thing People Don’t Know About You?
I’ve run 7 marathons! - What Quote Inspires You?
“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
- What Year Did You Start at ProAct?
I started at ProAct in 2020, took a short break, and happily returned in 2023. - What’s Your Favorite Thing About Working at ProAct?
The best part is the people— the participants who make a difference and my amazing coworkers who feel like family. - Where is Your Hometown?
I’m from Lincoln, Nebraska. Go Big Red! - What is Your Favorite Movie, Book or TV Show?
I’m a fan of all the 90-Day Fiancé shows. - What’s One Thing People Don’t Know About You?
I enjoy karaoke! - What Quote Inspires You?
“Make every effort to change things you do not like. If you cannot make a change, change the way you have been thinking. You might find a new solution.” — Maya Angelou
- What Year Did You Start at ProAct?
2005 - What’s Your Favorite Thing About Working at ProAct?
The participants! - Where is Your Hometown?
Waterloo, Iowa - What is Your Favorite Movie, Book or TV Show?
Dances With Wolves. - What’s One Thing People Don’t Know About You?
I am terrified of spiders! - What Quote Inspires You?
“Live like you were dying.”
- What Year Did You Start at ProAct?
1982 - What’s Your Favorite Thing About Working at ProAct?
Every day is a different adventure! - Where is Your Hometown?
Vermillion, MN - What is Your Favorite Movie, Book or TV Show?
I like watching 20/20, Dateline & other shows of that nature. - What’s One Thing People Don’t Know About You?
Most people don’t realize how long I have worked here.
- What Year Did You Start at ProAct?
2022 - What’s Your Favorite Thing About Working at ProAct?
I have an amazing team! - Where is Your Hometown?
Rockford, IL - What is Your Favorite Movie, Book or TV Show?
The Bear - What’s One Thing People Don’t Know About You?
I minored in music in college. - What Quote Inspires You?
“Real leadership is leaders recognizing that they serve the people that they lead.” —Pete Hoekstra
- What Year Did You Start at ProAct?
2000 - What’s Your Favorite Thing About Working at ProAct?
The people! I love being able to spend time with participants that I’ve supported over the years. It’s like family to me! - Where is Your Hometown?
Hastings, MN - What is Your Favorite Movie, Book or TV Show?
Crime documentaries - What’s One Thing People Don’t Know About You?
I am an MN DNR-certified firearm safety and hunter’s education instructor. I also enjoy teaching kids and adults and helping with other instructors each year to teach a class of 40 students. - What Quote Inspires You?
“Don’t call it a dream, call it a plan!”