Who We Are

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

BethAnn has been working in Community Services for the last 30 years. She is passionate about celebrating Life and Family and motivated by loving people while helping them in any way that she can. BethAnn feels blessed to use her skills and training to support the amazing mission that is Options Mankato. BethAnn is married to Greg and together they have three children and four wonderful grandchildren.

Education & Credentials:
Bowling Green State University - BS in Child & Family Community Services

FRONT OFFICE MANAGER

Jessica is passionate about celebrating life and overcoming challenges. She has seen the power in sharing stories, and her personal story is what brought her to Options for Women | Mankato.

Jessica graduated high school with her two-year-old daughter, Ashly, by her side. Challenging as it was, she says it has been the best fight of her life thus far. Jessica and her husband, Chuck, have now raised four children together. It is important to Jessica that each person that walks into Options feels cared for, not judged, and safe to process through their own story. Everyone's story is unique and can carry its own challenges. One of the greatest gifts we can give one another is to listen. The second is to provide as much information as they desire. Jessica sees the long-lasting benefit of empowering others to feel confident about their decision going forward. She loves being a part of the Options team and believes in the mission.

Related Experience
Employee and Trainer at Carlson Craft
South Central College - Child Development Course

CLIENT SERVICES COORDINATOR

Crystal is a single mom with 3 adult sons and teen twin daughters. Crystal believes parenting is a journey meant to be shared and all parents need and deserve a positive support system. She serves to create a safe, inviting, supportive space for individuals to share, learn and grow. She believes that providing individuals with useful skills and information can help them be the best parent, and person, they can be.

Education & Credentials:
Rasmussen College, BA Degree in Human Services
REAL Essentials (relationship) Educator
Certified Love & Logic Facilitator
Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician

STAFF NURSE

Jane serves to provide HOPE to women in crisis. She is married to her husband, Dan, and is a mother of four and grandmother of six.

Education & Credentials:
Bethany Lutheran College - AA Degree
University of Colorado - BS/RN Degree
Licensed Public Health Nurse
Licensed School Nurse
Credentialed Nurse Sonographer

Related Experience:
University of Colorado Medical Center Newborn/Medium Risk Nurse
Watonwan County Public Health Nurse
Mountain Lake and Butterfield School Nurse

STAFF NURSE

Nicole is a registered nurse with experience in labor and deliver, triage obstetric care, and postpartum care for mothers and infants. Nicole blends compassionate care with nursing credibility.

Education & Credentials
Credentialed Nurse Sonographer
American Sentinel University - Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing
Rasmussen College - Associates of Applied Science in Professional Nursing
Minnesota State University, Mankato - Bachelor’s of Science in Recreational Therapy with a minor in Psychology

EDUCATION COORDINATOR

Harrison has enjoyed connecting with junior and senior high youth for the past three decades. He has experience working with youth through Churches, Community Organizations and is currently the Group Mentoring Coordinator for the Brother/Sister Program at the Mankato YMCA. Harrison also has experience as a high school teacher with the Maranatha Academy. Harrison enjoys kayaking, biking and hiking adventures with his wife and son, experiencing live music and connecting with people in real and authentic ways.

Education & Credentials:
Bachelor of Arts Degree
Certified Adult and Youth Mental Health Provider
Adult and Pediatric First Aid responder
Certified Narrative Coach Practitioner 
Certified Real Essentials Educator 
2017 Recipient of the Mankato Community Mentor of the Year

REAL ESSENTIALS EDUCATOR

Melissa serves to encourage and affirm people of all ages and personality types. Her passion is educating people about how the body works in mental, emotional, and physical ways. Through her 23 years of being a nurse in Intensive Care, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, Sexually Transmitted Infection roles, and now a Real Essentials Educator for Sexual Risk Avoidance, she is excited for reaching and teaching people about themselves and others! She is convinced that young people are extremely intelligent, and can and do make great decisions when presented with relatable information, in a loving, honest manner! Melissa currently schools her 3 children and helps maintain her and her husband's hobby farm.

Education & Credentials:
Mount Mercy College, Cedar Rapids - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Related Experience:
Real Essentials Educator
STI Nurse Educator, First Choice Pregnancy Services, New Ulm
Sexual Risk Avoidance Specialist
Registered Nurse, 2001 - present:
- Registered Nurse Cardiac Unit
- Intensive Care Unit Clinical Nurse

REAL ESSENTIALS EDUCATOR

Jennifer experienced an unplanned pregnancy as a Freshman in college. Her desire to share her compassion, experience, and dedication to other families led her to Options for Women | Mankato. She has been serving on the Board of Directors of Options for Women since 2017 and was the Treasurer of Options in 2024. But she wanted to do more. After teaching middle school math, she decided to educate middle and high school students about healthy relationships and sexual risk avoidance with REAL Essentials. Jennifer loves being in the classroom with the kiddos and is excited and encouraged by the knowledge her students are gaining!

Jennifer and her husband have 2 adult sons, one biological and one adopted from Honduras.

Education & Credentials:
North Park University, Chicago, IL - Spanish
Ridgewater Community College, Willmar, MN - AA Degree
Minnesota School of Business, Minneapolis, MN - BS Degree in Accounting
St Mary's University, Minneapolis, MN - Masters Degree in Education
Certified REAL Essentials Educator

MARKETING SPECIALIST

With a background as an English teacher and a passion for design, Holly has a keen eye for clear, impactful communication and a deep understanding of how storytelling can drive change. She is committed to ensuring that every woman in need can easily connect with our services. In her free time she enjoys working on creative projects and playing tennis with her husband, Philip.

Education & Credentials:
Bethany Lutheran College - BS in Graphic Design
Martin Luther College - BS in Communication Arts & Literature

CLINICAL SERVICES DIRECTOR

Lisa is a pro-life midwife with a passion for women’s health, obstetrics, labor, delivery, and restoring reproductive health and wellness. Her experiences in clinic and hospital based obstetrics and women’s health have provided a depth and richness to her new role at Options as clinical services director. She looks forward to what God has in store to grow the medical services at Options.

Education & Credentials:
Kaplan University - Bachelors degree in nursing
Bethel University - Master’s degree in midwifery
Bethel University - Doctor of Nursing Practice

Related Experience:
Full scope midwifery practice providing life-affirming care to women in the Mankato Area through Mayo Clinic Health System. Prenatal care, postpartum care, hospital based labor and childbirth, well woman exams, and fertility care with respect and dignity to the female body so intricately designed by the Creator.