advisory council

Kristina Carlson – Tracy, MN 

Kristina Carlson, of Tracy, is a Certified Nurse Practitioner. She is a dedicated and patient-focused nurse practitioner who strives to deliver holistic, relationship-centered care to our aging communities. Carlson understands that rural Minnesota continues to face unique challenges. Particularly, our aging residents may lack capacity, mobility, physical ability, support, resources, or a combination of all to seek care.

A challenge Carlson enjoys is being innovative in the rural area. She enjoys collaborating with the healthcare team to create a solution that works for patients despite the resource limitations we encounter.

When asked what made her interested in serving on the Advisory Council, Carlson highlighted the ability to strengthen our collaboration and advocacy for our older adults across our region while working through challenges faced with our aging population. An area of concern that she recognizes with older adults is around caregiving. Strengthening caregiver support to help prevent caregiver burnout, advance care/goals of care planning, and maintaining long-term care facilities in our region is a goal for Carlson.

Kellian Clink – Mankato, MN 

Kellian Clink, of Mankato, currently serves as a Professor at Minnesota State University-Mankato within the library and has been an active member on campus and in her communities. She has experience volunteering with hospice and at the Connections Ministry. Ms. Clink also has worked with the Blue Earth County Social Services Task Force and acts as a liaison between the student government and the faculty association. A member of the American Library Association and the Minnesota Library Association, Ms. Clink has received awards from Minnesota State University-Mankato and the Being a Difference Award from the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy Center for the Public Trust.

When asked why she was interested in serving with MNRAAA, she responded with, “As with other marginalized populations, it is hard to get it right. Is it hard to age? Yes! Is there much to celebrate in aging? Yes. What are the struggles? How do we, as a community, respond to the needs? With strong listening and research skills, concern, and sensitivity, we can discern the needs, celebrate the triumphs and lived experiences and make our community the best place to age!”

Jackie Edwards – Olivia, MN 

Jackie Edwards, Olivia, is the current Director of the Olivia Hospital and Clinic Foundation and the Regional Marketing and Community Relations for the Olivia Hospital and Clinic. Part of her role includes working to ensure that community members have access to support systems that ease the burden on caregivers. This has included promoting resources for respite care, transportation, food access, and healthcare navigation.

Jackie also advocates for programs that recognize and uplift caregivers, helping them feel seen, supported, and equipped. She is interested in addressing the growing needs of older adults and the family caregivers who support them. Rural communities face unique challenges—limited access to healthcare, transportation, food, and social connection. Jackie is passionate about finding collaborative solutions to bridge those gaps. She is concerned about caregiver burnout and the lack of support systems for those balancing care with work and family responsibilities.

When not working, Jackie serves on the Renville County Housing Committee, assists with the Renville County Daycare Initiatives, and volunteers as an advocate for the Renville County Food Shelf. She is a supporter of youth and wellness through the BOLD Wrestling Club and the Renville County Revolution Wellness Initiative, and participates in the BOLD School Facility Committee.

Leslie Kveene – Willmar, MN 

Leslie is a retired Mental Health Nurse. She worked at Woodland Centers (Willmar) for 35 years. At Woodland, she supervised the Crisis/Detox unit and the Adult Rehab unit. She also taught Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid around the State of Minnesota.

Leslie has been married for 46 years, is a mother to four adult daughters, and a grandma to six grandsons and one granddaughter. She enjoys attending grandchildren’s activities, camping, traveling, and a good cup of coffee!

A reason for Leslie joining the Advisory Council is to assist older adults in remaining independent in their communities, with a primary focus on transportation. As a caregiver herself, she understands the importance of caregiver services to prevent caregiver burnout.

Janet Voges – Slayton, MN 

Janet Voges, of Slayton, is retired after almost 50 years at Minnwest Bank, starting as a teller and then advancing to the Retail Branch Manager position.

She has experience volunteering in the community with the Murray County Food Shelf, the American Cancer Society, Kiwanis, and her church. She enjoys working with the different volunteers and making a difference in her community. 

When asked why she was interested in serving with MNRAAA, she responded with, “I have used the MNRAAA toll-free phone service for helping make decisions on my own Medicare and insurance decisions. When working at the bank, we referred customers to this service numerous times; it is a great resource for our senior citizens. It is important to get the information about available services out to the general public.”

Interested in joining the Advisory Council?

The Board shall appoint individuals from the public to the Advisory Council (the “Council”) for a period of three (3) years. A Council member may serve no more than two (2) consecutive terms. The Council shall be made up of at least 50% older adults. Composition shall include:

  1. Older Adults;
  2. Caregiver(s);
  3. Health Care Provider Organization(s);
  4. Service Provider(s);
  5. Local Elected Officials; and
  6. Individuals with Leadership Experience.

The Board shall appoint a Board member to serve as a non-voting, ex-officio liaison to the Advisory Council. The Council shall advise MNRAAA in the development and administration of the Area Plan on Aging, provide Area Plan updates to their respective communities or associations, conduct public hearings, and represent the interests of older adults and caregivers. The Council shall be given regular updates on the Aging Network with the opportunity for comment.

The Council shall only work with the Area Plan as it relates to the Older Americans Act.

Apply for Advisory Council