2025 - Best of...celebrating 40 years of a great supervisor conference 

7:15 AM - Morning Walk - Meet at The Coffee House

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6:30 AM - 8:00 AM - Breakfast Buffet - Marina II

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8:30 AM – 9:45 AM  - Keynote, Whitebirch I & II

Mind your Monkeys: How to help others solve their own problems - Jason Hunt

Feeling overwhelmed and stressed? You might have a monkey problem. Monkeys are tasks that can and should be delegated-but too often, leaders take them back, robbing employees of opportunities to learn and grow. This keynote will equip you with practical strategies to empower your team to own their monkeys, think critically, and solve their own problems. Celebrate 45 years of the Minnesota Supervisors Conference by embracing the best practices in leadership that free you to focus on what matters most, while fostering growth and accountability in your team. Lead smarter. Delegate better. Celebrate leadership excellence.

 

Speaker Bio: Jason A Hunt is an engaging keynote speaker and trainer. He has served in many 

leadership positions, including junior high principal and President of NSA Minnesota. 

He has a masters degree in leadership, is certified by John Maxwell, authored of five 

books and is a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP).

 

10:05 AM – 11:30 AM - Breakout Workshops 

Leadership & Balance  - Mai Moua

Whitebirch I

Discover how the Enneagram’s three Centers of Intelligence—Body, Heart, and Mind—shape leadership and relationships. Each center influences how we perceive, decide, and interact, though individuals often rely more heavily on one, leading to imbalances. The Body Center drives instinct, action, and boundaries; the Heart Center fosters connection, empathy, and belonging; and the Mind Center emphasizes logic, planning, and innovation. Effective leadership integrates all three for greater balance and authenticity. Through engaging case scenarios and experiential exercises, participants will identify their dominant center and uncover how it can hijack the others, creating imbalances in leadership and relationships. You’ll gain tools to recalibrate and integrate all three centers for balanced decision-making, relational depth, and authentic leadership. Take these insights back to your team to grow understanding and create opportunities to implement changes in daily practice to honor your own and other’s center of intelligence. 

 

Speaker Bio: Rooted in presence, compassion, and courageous practice, Dr. Mai walks alongside leaders and communities as they awaken to their fullest potential. With a PhD in Leadership Studies and certifications in transformative tools, she weaves leadership, healing, and belonging to help others rise with clarity, purpose, and heart-driven action.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmaimoua/

 

Leading with Influence - Michelle Nelson

Whitebirch II

How can you be a great leader if you have no authority?

People follow courage and integrity not authority. 

By leading yourself, choosing positivity and critical thinking, you can become the great leader you want to be!

 

Learning Objectives:

• Explore values and characteristics of people who lead with influence

• Learn what leading with influence means and why it matters

• Recognize that we all lead in some way, regardless of role or title

• Identify key strategies to help you lead with influence

• Consider how being authentic can expand your impact as you learn to lead yourself and others 

 

Speaker Bio: Michelle has over 25 years of experience leading, managing and training professionals in the human service industry. In addition to her leadership skills, she is well versed in team, program, and organizational development to include strategic planning. Michelle's education includes a Masters in Management, Bachelors in Criminology/Sociology and certificate in Leadership and Change.

Shake it Off: Letting go of ineffective training methods - Josh Westphal

Lakeside Ballroom

Do you want your staff to never miss a beat, and be lighting on their feet? Behavioral Skills Training (BST) offers a practical and competency based approach to teaching your staff how to get there. Break up with inefficient methods of the past and we'll break down the BST model to enhance your current training practices and turn all your staff into rock stars.

 

Speaker Bio: Josh enjoys talking recruitment and retention, staff training, challenging behavior, and soap boxing on the virtues of graphing in Excel over Word, all while making the occasional bad (or great, depending on one’s perspective) dad joke. For more info on Josh, feel free to creep through his LinkedIn profile: www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-westphal-15bb14221 

 

Supervisors Leading Change: Leveraging DEI in the workplace to create positive outcomes for diverse populations - Mary Ngunu

Pelican

Supervisors play a vital role in leading change and shaping equitable workplaces. This workshop explores and provides strategies on how leveraging DEI and cultural competence leads to stronger teams, inclusive environments, and most importantly better outcomes for diverse populations. 

 

Learning Objectives

1. Define DEI and identify steps to launch and sustain effective DEI initiatives

2. Understand the value of culturally inclusive practices and how to apply them

3. Explore how leveraging DEI can drive positive outcomes for diverse populations

4. Learn immediate actionable strategies

 

Speaker Bio: Mary Ngunu serves as the DEI manager for Accra, Minnesota's largest provider of homecare services. Mary is responsible for implementing and executing all efforts regarding diversity, equity and inclusion. Mary's passion for DEI stems from personal and career experiences that she uses to equip individuals and teams with skills to help them connect and work effectively across differences.

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11:30 AM - 12:45 PM - Lunch Buffet - Canopy Deck (Inclement weather Marina II & Dockside)

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12:45 PM – 1:45 PM - Breakout Workshops

Do HARD Things - Jason Hunt

Whitebirch I

Leadership isn't easy-it requires courage and commitment. In this breakout session, we'll explore the best strategies for tackling the tough aspects of leadership. 

• First, discover how to Hold high expectations effectively. 

• Then, learn a simple yet powerful 3-step process for Addressing performance issues. 

• We'll also discuss how to Recommend personal improvement with care and clarity. 

• Finally, master techniques to Deescalate emotions and keep conversations productive. 

Master the HARD things and you’ll master how to hold others accountable, positioning you to teach others how to do the same. 

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Situational Leadership - Michelle Nelson

Whitebirch II

Based on Ken Blanchard's and Paul Hersey's work, teaching leaders how to adjust leadership style and strategies based on an employee's readiness and confidence. This model provides a repeatable process for matching leadership behaviors to the performance needs of those being influenced. Unlike other leadership models, Situational Leadership® recognizes that there is no one-size-fits-all approach, allowing leaders to adapt their behaviors to suit the unique needs of each situation. When supervisors take this approach with their teams it will influence how workers are showing up to meet the needs of those they serve with respect, compassion and insight.

 

Speaker Bio: Michelle has over 25 years of experience leading, managing and training professionals in the human service industry. In addition to her leadership skills, she is well versed in team, program, and organizational development to include strategic planning. Michelle's education includes a Masters in Management, Bachelors in Criminology/Sociology and certificate in Leadership and Change.

 

Ready To Build An Impactful and Thriving Team?  Inclusive Leadership makes it possible - Mary Ngunu

Lakeside Ballroom

An impactful, inclusive and  thriving team doesn’t happen by chance—it’s built through intentional, inclusive leadership. This engaging workshop explores what DEI looks like in a team setting, benefits of inclusive leadership, and how key trends are shaping today’s and tomorrow’s future workplace.

Participants will identify key traits of inclusive leaders, recognize how bias and barriers show up in supervision, and gain practical strategies to lead with equity. Whether you're currently leading or preparing for leadership, this session equips you with tools to strengthen team resilience, foster inclusion and create a culture where everyone can contribute and succeed 

Learning Objectives:

1.      Describe what DEI looks like in team settings and its impact on team performance.

2.      Identify the signature traits of an inclusive leader and how to apply them

3.      Explore the benefits of inclusive leadership and the trends reshaping the workplace

4.      Implement practical strategies to lead equitably and build resilient, inclusive and thriving teams.

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PERA - From Hire to Retire - Jenelle Thelen

Pelican

This program is designed for new PERA members, those who are close to retirement, and everyone in between. The PERA pension will be discussed in detail, including how it fits into the overall retirement plan. 

 

Speaker Bio: Jenelle is an Outreach and Education Specialist with the Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA). She is a regular host of PERA webinars and in-person training events where she assists many members as they make decisions regarding their retirement.

 

2:05 PM – 3:05 PM - Breakout Sessions 

Delegate to Elevate: Unlocking Your Team’s Full Potential - Brent Stromme

Whitebirch I

Effective delegation empowers teams while maintaining accountability. 

 

This session covers:

• How delegation boosts productivity and team growth.

• Assigning tasks based on strengths.

• Ensuring accountability without micromanaging.

• Building trust and fostering collaboration.

• Creating a results-driven delegation framework.

 

Walk away with practical tools to delegate confidently, strengthen your team, and

maximize success!

 

Speaker Bio: Brent Stromme inspires and equips you to live your one and only life to the fullest. With 35+ years as a speaker, entrepreneur, and business coach, he shares powerful stories and practical tools to spark hope and drive success in life and business.

www.brentstromme.com / @brentstromme on all socials 

 

Best. Supervisor. Ever! How to Create the Team of your Dreams! - Jennifer May

Whitebirch II

Discover the secrets, traits and habits to make you the best supervisor ever!  While supervisor’s to-do lists are long, we can’t allow paperwork and the constant whirlwind of tasks to crowd out time for cultivating and maintaining good supervisory habits and nurturing relationships. Learn strategies and techniques to create a high-performing team that exceeds expectations.  Explore effective leadership principles, conflict resolution strategies, and performance management techniques that will help improve retention and keep your staff happy. Explore the art of supervision while unlocking your confidence and growing your skills.

 

Speaker Bio: My passion is building successful and positive workplace teams and cultures, knowing well-trained, supportive, confident supervisors are key to solving staffing shortages and increasing retention in the human services field. Participants enjoy my relatable content, style, energy, and authenticity. B.A., M.A., Master Trainer. www.starsvcs.com www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-l-may 

 

The Missing Link: Authenticity and Clear Connection for Self-Care - Amber Perez

Lakeside Ballroom 

This session emphasizes the importance of showing up authentically in both personal and professional interactions, allowing yourself and the individuals you supervise to embody the people they aspire to be. We will explore communication techniques that articulate personal needs, boundaries, and expectations in a clear and respectful manner. We will apply methods for embracing imperfections to cultivate a supportive environment that encourages vulnerability and genuine relationships.

 

Speaker Bio: Amber Perez is a dedicated part of the leadership team at Meeker County Health & Human Services. Her transformative journey through addiction, trauma, and personal development has not only shaped her career but has also fueled her passion for helping others navigate their own leadership styles and personal growth. 

 

Avoid Bad Headlines: Tips to Comply with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act - Dawn Hinkley 

Pelican

Most of the letters, reports and emails public employees collect, create, receive, maintain or disseminate related to the government entity’s operations are data subject to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. This session provides an overview of what staff need to understand about the law to facilitate compliance. As professionals, we hold a responsibility to understand and adhere to legislative guidance; you can share these insights with your team to solidify ethical practices in our work. 

 

Speaker Bio: Dawn Hinkley is  staff counsel for risk control with Minnesota Counties Intergovernmental Trust. She provides risk management advice to MCIT members. Hinkley holds a law degree from the University of Iowa.

 

3:25 PM – 4:30 PM - Breakout Workshops 

Pour from a Full Cup: The Art of Self-Care - Brent Stromme

Whitebirch I

Self-care is essential for strong leadership. This session covers practical strategies to

maintain mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

 

Key topics:

• Why self-care matters for leaders.

• The three pillars: mental, physical, and social well-being.

• Setting boundaries to protect time and energy.

• Simple habits to boost energy and prevent burnout.

• Creating a personalized self-care plan.

 

Leave with actionable steps to stay balanced, resilient, and lead with strength. When supervisors seek to holistically support their teams and demonstrate prioritizing self-care it will bring balance back into the work and life picture and build job satisfaction and retention. 

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Crafting Humor in Supervision - Glen Maloney

Whitebirch II

The use of humor in therapy and supervision can be hard to do well. It’s a common experience to be told to use humor carefully, but we frequently receive little guidance on how to do this. This workshop will begin exploring humor from the ground up, identifying some primary uses in therapy, considering the history of humor in the human species, the various ways we can classify humor, and how humor fits within various modern and prominent theories and interventions. It also looks at when to be the most careful with humor in supervision. This workshop explores the role of our senses of humor within our relationships with our supervisees as well as providing guidance we can offer them for their own uses in humor in their service provision. 

 

Speaker Bio: Glenn Maloney has spoken about humor's role in social work and psychotherapy at many conferences across the state and the country; recent presentations include UCLA and upcoming at the International Federation of Social Workers regional conference in Oslo, Norway. He has received several awards, and resides in Duluth.

mostexcellentpsychotherapy.com 

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DHS Fiscal Updates - Julie Spurgeon

Lakeside Ballroom

Using DHS Financial Quarterly Reports (FOD) to Track Your Budgets
Overview:
This session is designed to introduce social service supervisors to essential financial reports issued by the Department of Human Services (OHS) Financial Operations Division (FOO}. While these reports are typically routed to fiscal supervisors, they also offer valuable insights that can support supervisors in managing and tracking program budgets more effectively.
Key topics include:
• Understanding the structure and content of OHS Financial Quarterly Reports
• Identify which reports are most useful for social service budget tracking
• Learn how to collaborate with your fiscal supervisor to obtain and interpret these reports
For Income Maintenance Supervisors, we will also provide:
• A brief overview of the Income Maintenance Random Moment Time Study (IMRMS}
• Discussion on the impact of accurate and timely staff responses on funding and program outcomes
Participants will have the opportunity to:
• Ask questions and clarify how to use the reports effectively
• Share tips, tools, and local practices for managing budgets in their own counties

 

Speaker bios: Julie Spurgeon and Jen Albjerg are with DHS Financial Operations Division (FOD). They provide technical assistance to the counties and other OHS and DCYF staff regarding accounting and fiscal reporting to OHS. They are considered the "first call for help" people!

 

Julie has been with FOO for 19 years and is very passionate about her role in advocating for the counties and their need for answers and she is still learning with the rest of you!

 

Jen has been with Financial Operations Division (FOO} since October 2024. Her prior experience includes time with the Minnesota Office of State Auditor and with Grant County before they merged with Pope County to form Western Prairie Human Services. FOO is very fortunate to have Jen and Julie feels like she has won the lottery!

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MCIT - Performance Management: Making the Most of Your Human Resource - Sonya Guggemos

Pelican

Issues involving personnel and employment always stimulate concern and can result in litigation. Critical to managing the human resources is the following the county’s approved performance management system. An effective performance management system provider for consistent and uniform treatment and development of employees, and can be an organization's best defence when dealing with an aggrieved employee. This session focuses on performance evaluations, dealing with unsatisfactory performance, discipline and other related issues. 

 

Speaker Bio: Sonya Guggemos is a senior staff counsel for risk control with Minnesota Counties Intergovernmental Trust. She provides risk management advice to MCIT members. Guggemos holds a law degree from William Mitchelle College of Law and a master’s degree in public administration from Hamline University.

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5:00 PM - 6:00 PM - Poker Walk - Fawcett House

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5:00 PM - 7:00 PM - Hospitality Games - Fawcett House

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5:00 PM - 9:00 PM - Dinner options include:

Limited menu @ Marina II, Dockside, Antler (*Reservation required - ext 7162 or use OpenTable App)

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8:30 PM - 10:30 PM - Hospitality Games & Bonfire - Fawcett House