ELEVATE HOPE HOUSE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Melinda McDermott – Founder/President
Melinda@elevatehopehouse.org – 612.615.8824 (text/call)
Melinda McDermott founded Elevate Hope House in 2017 and is passionate about serving her community. She enjoys spending time with her family—fishing with her husband, attending her son’s baseball games, having tea parties with her daughters, and visiting her parents’ cabin in Wisconsin.
Melinda has been in leadership roles since high school, starting in retail and then working with metro area businesses and families. She earned her Business Management degree and MBA from Bethel University. During her MBA program, she discovered her calling to work with families and children, leading her to focus on ending homelessness in Anoka County. She also has 10 years of experience in the child care industry.
Her goal is to guide mothers toward self-sufficiency through faith-based support. In 2020, Melinda and the Leadership Team opened the first Elevate Hope House home for young homeless mothers and their children. In 2025, the organization partnered with Spring Lake Park High School to open a second affordable housing home. Melinda also cast the vision and launched alongside community leaders the Called Weekend Women’s Conference to build community among women across Minnesota.
While leadership is a priority, Melinda’s overwhelming desire is to help guide the moms we work with on a path of self-sufficiency through Christ. “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” (I John 3:16-18, NLT)
Wendy Thorson – Board Director (Finance)
wendy@elevatehopehouse.org
Wendy Thorson serves as Elevate Hope House’s Finance Director, bringing over 15 years of experience in strategic planning, budgeting, and data analysis from her time at Wells Fargo. She is passionate about using her gifts to support Elevate’s mission of helping young, single mothers build stable, hope-filled futures. More than just a numbers expert, Wendy leads with heart, deeply rooted in faith and a desire to make a lasting impact.
Wendy’s passion for this work is personal. Just one month after welcoming her first daughter, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer—a season that challenged her faith and left her feeling isolated. It was the prayers and support of family, friends, and even strangers that carried her through and renewed her hope. Now, she feels called to be that source of hope for other mothers walking through difficult seasons.
Outside of Elevate, Wendy loves spending time with her husband, Josh, their two daughters, and their goldendoodle, Ben. She enjoys days at the lake or pool, serving in the children’s ministry at Andover Christian Church, and cheering from the sidelines at dance competitions. Wendy is a faith-filled, always-on-the-go mom who embraces the chaos—and the car snacks—that come with it.
Favorite Scripture:
“Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name… who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion…” — Psalm 103
Shelby Ruppert – Board Director (Property Management)
Bio Coming Soon!
Renee Hanson – Board Director (Community Outreach)
renee@elevatehopehouse.org
Renee Hanson has been part of the Board of Directors since 2023, and we are incredibly thankful for the joyful, servant heart she shares with our leadership, mamas, kiddos, volunteers, and community every day! She has been married for 51 years, blessed with 3 children, and 5 grandchildren. Her home church is Oak Haven Church in Ham Lake, MN and she has been attending since 1978. From serving in children’s ministry to hospitality to women’s ministry to quilting and more – Renee has a heart to serve where she feels called. Prior to retirement and joining Elevate Hope House, her career was in retail and then dentistry. At the end of the day, everything she does and has done is about building relationships with the people God brings into her life. Her hobbies include gardening, reading, crafting, and in the summers you will often find her and her husband in their ’69 Camaro at car shows.
When asked why Elevate means to her, she shared “I want to be part of giving a hand up to a young family in need. Being a part of offering them hope and a future. I had those who stepped in and stood beside me when I was young and uncertain of my future. My favorite part of being on the Elevate Team is that God is first in all things. We are his hands and feet.”
Pam Rassatt – Board Director (Volunteer Experience)
Pam@elevatehopehouse.org
Pam Rassatt grew up in Ham Lake and Anoka and has resided in Ramsey with her husband Ryan and 4 children for the past 21 years (Madison-5, Murphy-9, Marshal-18, Morgan-21). She has been a member of Northgate since they opened volunteering in many roles, teams and small groups over the years. She has a passion for working with families and children. Her family has been a “host family” and “family friend” through other organizations that support single moms, and she has served as a board member in the past with local MOMS clubs doing a variety of service projects. She has been a stay-at-home mom, had an in-home childcare, and very recently acquired her LPN diploma so is now working as a substitute school nurse at elementary schools within the district and for PACT. Pam and her family enjoy camping or “glamping” as they call it, at their seasonal spot at a family friendly campground. She also enjoys dabbling in fairy gardening, home improvement/DIY projects, and thrift shopping.
Nate Ruppert – Board Director (Build Projects)
Bio Coming Soon!
Laurie Dvoracek – Board Director (Grace Marie’s Parteas & Boutique)
laurie@elevatehopehouse.org
Laurie Dvoracek serves on the board as Engagement Director for Grace Maries Parteas. Laurie is
driven by a deep passion for faith, creativity, and supporting women on their personal journeys. After
leaving a decade-long corporate career to seek joy and meaning, Laurie embraced new roles as a
devoted grandmother and then a small business entrepreneur, launching her own craft business that
ignited her creative spirit. Through years of growth—navigating both challenges and blessings—she
found strength in her faith, a calling to encourage others, and a love for connecting with women who
share her dreams and struggles.
Laurie draws from a rich well of life experience: single motherhood, overcoming financial hardships,
serving in pastoral ministry, and supporting missions. She delights in offering encouragement,
wisdom, and a listening ear to those who need it most. Today, Laurie continues to pursue her dreams
with excitement, eager to build community with Elevate Hope House and help others move forward
with hope and confidence.
She lives in Prior Lake and has been married to her husband Chad for 31 years. Together they have
3 daughters, 3 sons-in-law and 4 grandchildren. Her favorite verse comes from Jeremiah: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
Caryn Buxengard – Board Director
Caryn joined Elevate’s Board of Directors in 2018. She is an active wife and mom. Caryn works for Mimecast as a Sr. Revenue Operations Analyst is very active in her church. She loves to be outdoors and you will find her with her family in the spring, summer, and fall camping and enjoying God’s creation! Caryn has a B.S in Speech and Hearing Sciences with a minor in Psychology. This education laid a foundation for her life and has supported her strong desire to help children and families be strong and healthy.
Caryn has a passion for Elevate Hope House “because I believe that every human being has value and so often young moms in our community are looked down on or unsupported when they need the support the most. I believe God has called us to support those in need and to be part of helping them break the generational cycles to be self-sufficient for not only themselves, but their children, and to come to know and love God in the process.”
ELEVATE HOPE HOUSE STAFF
Mary Sufka – Family Advocate Coordinator
Mary@elevatehopehouse.org
Mary has been a part of Elevate Hope House since 2019. She has worn a lot of hats within the organization, but most recently became Elevate’s Family Advocate Coordinator for our Ham Lake Families. As one of our first Family Advocates with Elevate Hope House, Mary has learned through hands-on experience what it takes to be a Family Advocate within Elevate Hope House. These Advocates are currently volunteers, and it takes the right person to be willing to walk alongside a young mom in crisis and choose to stay resilient, committed, and showing Christ’s love in all circumstances.
In addition to working with Elevate, Mary is a full-time nurse, mom of two, and wife to a servant-hearted, Christ-following husband. They also have a family dog that keeps them busy! Her family enjoys the outdoors and is often road tripping whenever they get a chance outside of school and work schedules. Mary’s heart for the Lord is overflowing, and we are beyond blessed to have her on our team.
Amanda Jawish – Resident & Volunteer Engagement Advocate
amanda@elevatehopehouse.org
Amanda Jawish serves as Elevate Hope House’s Resident & Volunteer Engagement Coordinator. A wife, mama to three, and passionate follower of Jesus, Amanda has always felt called to ministry. Her heart for young, single mothers comes from her own journey as a young mom — a season that opened her eyes to the deep need for support, encouragement, and community. That calling led her to Elevate, where she helps create a safe, welcoming space for both residents and volunteers to grow, connect, and thrive.
Amanda believes we are called to meet people in their brokenness — to be the village every mother needs. Her role allows her to live that out daily, walking alongside the women at Elevate with compassion, understanding, and unwavering faith.
Outside of her work at Elevate, Amanda enjoys life with her husband and three little ones, embracing the beautiful chaos of motherhood and the grace that comes with it.
