Board of Directors
Officers
President
Hennepin County Public Health
Bio coming soon…
Vice President
Madigan, Dahl & Harlan, P.A.
Bio coming soon….
Treasurer
RBC Global Asset Management
Brian Svendahl brings a deep commitment to community impact and equitable housing in his role as Treasurer on the Simpson Housing Services Board of Directors. His connection to Simpson began through RBC Global Asset Management’s longstanding partnership with the organization, where he saw firsthand the meaningful difference Simpson makes in the lives of individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
Throughout his career, Brian has focused on local and impact investing, aligning financial strategies with positive social outcomes. This work has strengthened his passion for advancing safe, affordable housing and promoting social equity—issues he believes are foundational to strong, thriving communities.
Brian is inspired by Simpson’s ability to deliver not just immediate support, but long-term solutions that help people achieve stability and independence. He values the organization’s holistic approach, which combines housing, services, and dignity-centered care. He’s proud to support Simpson’s mission and contribute to expanding access to housing for those who need it most.
Secretary
Community Volunteer
Don Vermillion is a member of the Osage Nation, a United States Army veteran, and a passionate advocate for housing stability and social justice. Inspired by his mother’s involvement in the Civil Rights movement, Don has spent much of his life engaged in activism.
After experiencing homelessness himself, Don connected with Simpson Housing Services through the coordinated entry system and worked alongside a Simpson housing advocate to secure permanent, affordable housing. The support he received allowed him to address the root causes of his homelessness and rebuild his life. Today, Don works with Hennepin County Housing Stabilization as a lived experience advisor. He is committed to advancing the belief that housing is a fundamental human right and uses his voice and experience to advocate for greater compassion, dignity, and opportunity for everyone.
Former Board President
Community Volunteer
Steve Proeschel is a dedicated community volunteer and consultant who serves on nonprofit boards and committees across the Twin Cities and throughout the region. His connection to Simpson Housing Services began through hands-on volunteering, where he witnessed firsthand the compassion, care, and meaningful impact the organization has on people experiencing homelessness.
Inspired by that experience, Steve chose to deepen his involvement through board service, helping to advance Simpson’s mission in a more strategic and sustained way. Before retiring, Steve led the Public Finance Healthcare Group at Piper Sandler and also served as an Aide to the Mayor of Saint Paul. He brings a strong background in public service, finance, and community leadership to his work. He is proud to support Simpson and its dedicated staff, whose commitment continues to transform lives every day.
Members
Malissa Adams joined the Simpson Housing Services Board with a deep commitment to advancing equitable systems that support individuals and families experiencing housing instability. Drawn to Simpson’s unique role at the intersection of direct service and long-term impact, she brings extensive experience in leadership, strategy, and organizational development to support both governance and mission advancement. Malissa is passionate about contributing to meaningful, tangible change—helping ensure the organization continues to deliver compassionate, effective solutions that improve lives.
Simpson’s values of dignity, stability, and community-centered care strongly align with Malissa’s professional and personal philosophy. In her role as Agencywide Development and Learning Supervisor for the Minnesota Department of Human Services, she leads initiatives focused on leadership development, workforce engagement, and organizational culture. With a background spanning public service, nonprofit operations, and equity-focused leadership, Malissa is inspired by Simpson’s ability to pair immediate support with long-term housing solutions—and by the dedicated staff and board members working together to create lasting impact in the community.
Cratè Darden joined the Simpson Board out of a deep commitment to helping others and advancing equity. Inspired by Simpson’s person-centered approach and community-driven mission, she is especially motivated by the organization’s focus on racial equity and its commitment to addressing the systemic causes of homelessness with compassion, dignity, and accountability.
Cratè is dedicated to advancing culturally competent practices, expanding access to underserved communities, and driving equitable outcomes. She is passionate about fostering workplace environments where communities of color can thrive.
She has nearly 20 years of experience in human service delivery systems and programs, and has held leadership roles within the Department of Human Services including serving as a representative on the Cultural and Ethnic Communities Leadership Council, co-chairing the Statewide Black and Indigenous Women of Color Employee Resource Group, and contributing as a member of the Black Women’s ERG Core Team.
Bio coming soon…
Jill Laviolette is deeply committed to supporting individuals experiencing homelessness and strengthening the community through meaningful service. She is inspired by Simpson’s mission to provide dignified, personalized support that connects each guest with the resources they need—recognizing that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to housing instability. She values the opportunity to learn more about the root causes of homelessness while working alongside community leaders and professionals dedicated to creating lasting change.
Jill began volunteering with Simpson more than 15 years ago, initially serving meals and building connections with guests. She later stepped into a leadership role as a meal coordinator for seven years before joining the Board of Directors and finance committee. With a 25-year career at Cargill, Jill brings strong financial insight and organizational experience to her role. She is continually inspired by the resilience and kindness of those Simpson serves and is driven by the ability to make a direct, meaningful impact.
Bio coming soon…
Resource Center
Gracen McDougall joined the Simpson Board to gain insight into board leadership while using her voice to advocate for individuals impacted by homelessness. She is especially inspired by Simpson’s mission to create long-term stability and restore dignity, rooted in the belief that housing is a fundamental human right. She is also moved by the strong community of volunteers who come together to support individuals facing uncertainty, reflecting the compassion at the core of Simpson’s work.
Professionally, Gracen serves as an American Indian cultural navigator in healthcare advocacy, helping patients—particularly those experiencing homelessness—access essential resources and culturally appropriate care. She also brings five years of experience as a full-spectrum Indigenous doula, providing holistic support across pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Through her work, Gracen combines strong advocacy, cultural competency, and a deep commitment to advancing health equity in her community.
Bio coming soon…
Bio coming soon…
Bio coming soon…
Arvind Sharma joined the Simpson Housing Services Board with a clear belief: safe, stable housing is a foundational right for all people. He is deeply aligned with Simpson’s mission and values, especially the bold vision of working toward a future where their services are no longer needed because homelessness has been ended. For Arvind, success means lasting, systemic change.
He finds inspiration in the dedication of Simpson’s staff and fellow board members, all of whom are committed to advancing this mission with compassion and purpose. Serving alongside such a driven team makes his volunteer work both meaningful and rewarding.
Professionally, Arvind works in finance at Ameriprise Financial in Minneapolis. He brings extensive leadership experience through his service on multiple boards, including the Science Museum of Minnesota, Como Friends, and the Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission. He lives in the Twin Cities with his family and is the proud father of two grown sons.
Bio coming soon…
Nate Carter joined the Simpson Board because he believes everyone deserves the opportunity to be seen beyond their hardest circumstances. To him, housing is more than shelter — it is safety, dignity, and the foundation from which individuals and families can rebuild their lives. Nate was drawn to Simpson’s commitment to meeting people with humanity, compassion, accountability, and hope, especially those who too often feel overlooked or invisible.
Nate is a systems strategist, equity executive, and nationally recognized thought leader focused on creating people-centered systems that drive lasting change. He currently serves as Director of Operations Equity at the Minnesota Department of Human Services.