HELEN KYLE
HELEN KYLE
Gift Officer
helenkyle@ecumen.org 651-766-4385
Helen Kyle joined the philanthropy team in June of 2016. In her time at Ecumen, she has supported the success of fundraising events, managed our donor database, and increased donations to Ecumen programs. In her current role as a Gift Officer, Helen works with Ecumen communities to support site-specific giving programs and events. She meets with Ecumen’s generous donors and invites them into continued partnership. Helen graduated cum laude from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. She has a B.A. in Sociology/Anthropology with a concentration in Family Studies. She lives in St. Paul, Minnesota.
TAMI ALLENSON
TAMI ALLENSON
Director - Philanthropy Programs
Tami has been an employee with Ecumen for over 7 years. Her background is in Marketing and her current role as Director of Philanthropy Programs allows her to continue building relationships throughout the organization, and strong partnerships in the greater community on behalf of Ecumen. This includes hosting the annual golf tournament and partner events, in addition to working with our community leaders to identify and foster donors dedicated to furthering Ecumen’s mission. Tami studied Psychology and Business Administration at University of Minnesota – Duluth, and Organizational Leadership at Bethel College. She lives with her husband and daughter in Ramsey, MN.
HEIDI FREISINGER
HEIDI FREISINGER
Vice President of Philanthropy
Heidi Freisinger leads Ecumen’s philanthropic fundraising efforts through major and planned gifts, foundation and corporate giving, government grants and special events. She joined Ecumen in 2019 from the YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities, where she was Senior Director of Annual Giving. Heidi began her career at the YMCA and held several key jobs, including Director of Events Planning and Business Manager. She has a B.S. degree in Kinesiology from the University of Minnesota and brings over 15 years of fundraising experience to Ecumen.
Melanie Sullivan To Join Ecumen as Senior Vice President, Chief People Officer
Melanie (Mel) Sullivan, Ed.D., has been named Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer at Ecumen, effective April 1.
Ecumen Among Top 5 Senior Living Operators in the Twin Cities
Ecumen is recognized as one of Twin Cities' top five Largest Senior Living Operators by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.
Lakeshore Everyday Heroes Save a Stranger’s Life
Two Ecumen Lakeshore caregivers answered a desperate knock on the door in the middle of the night -- and they saved a life.
Ecumen Lakeshore Receives “Best of the Best” Honors in Duluth News Tribune Poll
Ecumen Lakeshore was voted “Best Retirement/Assisted Living” in Duluth in the Duluth News Tribune’s “Best of the Best” reader poll. Also, Lakeshore’s Crest independent living apartments received third place in the “Best Apartment Community” category.
Honoring Everyday Hero Margee Polanka — A 40-Year Ecumen Employee
Ecumen honors Margee Polanka for her 40 years of dedication and service to others.
In Memoriam: A Marine Comes Home 74 Years Later
This was a special Memorial Day for Mary Hagen, a resident of Ecumen Lakeshore in Duluth, who recently learned her brother is coming home after 74 years.
Ecumen Lakeshore Nurse Hanna Norman: A Lifelong Journey into Nursing
Ecumen Lakeshore Nurse Hanna Norman, RN, was recently featured in a cover story in Career Impact magazine, published for the community, alumni and friends of Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College.