Leadership Team
John Estrem
Chief Executive Officer
John joined Hammer in February of 2012. He has more than 25 years of committed service with local nonprofits. Prior to joining Hammer, he served as Executive Director of Episcopal Community Services, and also as CEO of Catholic Charities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
John brings his visionary leadership, passion for service, and gift of collaboration to the Hammer organization. He is influential in upholding the mission and vision of Hammer & NER, as well as keeping resources accessible for the people we support and staff members.
Kyle Fitzwater
Chief Human Resources Officer
Kyle Fitzwater joined Hammer & NER in the Fall of 2022. With over 25 years of service, he has a dedicated career of elevating the human resources function in the non-profit sector. Prior to joining Hammer & NER he served as the Director of Human Resources at the Guthrie Theater and at The Arc Minnesota for 19 years serving as their Chief Human Resources Officer.
Kyle oversees Hammer & NER’s human resources, training, and volunteer team focusing renewed efforts on organizational strategy, culture, team building, diversity, equity and inclusion, talent acquisition, and compliance.
Lin Curran
Chief of Operations
Lin Curran was in leadership for Northeast Residence and joined Hammer & NER’s leadership team as part of the merger in 2020. A thirty-seven year veteran of NER, Lin brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the leadership team having served in numerous roles during her tenure. In her role, she, along with her team is responsible for ensuring the quality of work being done in the homes and keeping operations moving forward.
Sue Walker
Chief Program Officer
Sue has been at Hammer for over forty years, starting her career as a care giver at Hammer. In her role as Chief Program Officer, (CPO) Sue oversees Hammer & NER’s program department and nursing staff. She leads a staff team of close to 500 people, who provide personalized support to the people that Hammer & NER support.
Kristin Pyka
Chief Financial Officer
Kristin has been at Hammer & NER for over ten years in the finance department. In her role as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), she is responsible for all financial functions, including the accounting of all revenue and expenses, finance management, budgeting, and reporting. Kristin leads and manages the finance staff members along with her fiscal responsibilities.
Ellen Timmerman-Borer
Campaign Director
In 1982, Ellen started her career at Hammer as a direct support professional. Since then, she has served in a variety of roles. In 1999, she joined the Development and Communication Department and in 2006, became our Director of Development. She is now the Campaign Director.
Dan Bottiger
Director of Information Systems
In 1990, Dan came to work at Hammer as a direct support professional, serving four adults with traumatic brain injuries. He moved to our IT department in 2000 and has held his current position as Director since 2008. Dan is responsible for the overall vision, development, and implementation of our information and technology systems.
Barbara Brandt
Director of Communication
Barbara has been a communicator and relationship builder for over 30 years with an accomplished background in writing, marketing, strategic planning, and community/public relations.
She leads a Communication team that is responsible for all internal and external communication. She has a deep passion for Hammer & NER’s mission, for the people we support and making a difference in the community.
Tim Eshelman
Director of Environmental Services
Tim has contributed to Hammer’s environmental services team since 1990. As the Director, he is responsible for maintenance, fire safety, and compliance to federal and state codes for all of our sites. Additionally, he oversees the requisition of all goods and services purchased for the organization. Tim is a Registered Accessibility Specialist for the State of Minnesota.
Emily Girard
Director of Customized Support Services (CSS)
Emily joined Hammer & NER in 2015. She supervises two departments: Case Management, which coordinates and authorizes services for over 900 people who are not supported by Hammer & NER homes and Care Coordination, which supports over 500 individuals with disabilities, some of whom also receive Hammer & NER residential services.
Jenna Neal, BSN, RN
Director of Health Services
Jenna started at Hammer in 2014 as a direct support professional and assistant program manager. She became a Program Manager in 2015 and was inspired to go back to school for a nursing degree. She finished up her degree while managing a Hammer home for over two years. Jenna was welcomed to the nursing team in 2018 and accepted the role of Director of Health Services in 2020.
Jenna coordinates the health services of those living in Hammer’s residential programs as well as to support Hammer’s nurses and direct support professionals in providing proficient and person-centered health care. Her experience in the field and as a nurse aids in advocating for optimal health, safety, maximizing independence, and improving quality of life of those Hammer support.
Tom Ryan
Director of Hammer Travel and Community Life
Tom started his career at Hammer Residences in 2000 as a DSP, later becoming a Program Manager. In 2008, Tom co-wrote the business plan for Hammer Travel and was involved in its evolution, which led to his current position of Director of Hammer Travel & Community Life. In this role, Tom manages travel logistics and staff training for Hammer Travel and oversees the day-to-day operations and budget for both departments. Tom also assists with organizing and running various Community Life activities and events, including the Annual Fishing Trip, Trunk or Treat, and game/movie nights.
Cate Saracen Peters
Director of Workforce Development
Cate began her career with Hammer as a Direct Support Professional in the 1980’s. In her 35 plus years she has served in a variety of leadership roles connected to Program.
In 2009 she co-led the development of Hammers Training Department. Cate has focused on key Workforce Development strategies, including: Person Centered Practice, Online Learning Management, and Leadership Development opportunities.
She considers it an honor to collaborate with all teams in working daily to fulfill Hammer’s mission.
Michele Swanson
Executive Coordinator
Michele joined Hammer & NER in 2020. Prior to joining the organization, Michele worked in the healthcare industry, including working at UCare for several years where she supported the Clinical Services department. She also worked for start-up companies in the medical device industry. Michele grew up with family members with developmental disabilities and values the opportunity to work for Hammer & NER because of its strong reputation for providing people with intellectual and other disabilities with the best possible life.
Michele supports the CEO and manages meetings with the Board of Directors as well as other committees. She also oversees day-to-day general office operations.
Email: Michele.Swanson@Hammer.org
Cathy Thoma, CVA
Director of Volunteer Resources
Cathy joined the Volunteer Department at Hammer in 2014, and became its Director in 2017. With a Master’s degree in Human Resources Management, Cathy brings extensive knowledge and experience to her current role. Cathy is responsible for recruiting, vetting, on-boarding and matching volunteers to Hammer’s various volunteer opportunities. She is most passionate about connecting volunteers to those we support, helping them to build strong relationships based on mutual interests.
Cathy has recently been awarded the credential, Certified in Volunteer Administration, and is entitled to use the designation “CVA.” This certification is internationally recognized and she joins a select group of over 1,100 professionals worldwide who currently hold this credential.
Pam Janczewski
Senior Director of Program Services
Pam Janczewski has worked at Hammer & NER for 19 years. Pam leads the majority of our Program team and the Nursing team. She collaborates with our Senior Director of Program Operations and the team on program function, regulations, changes, etc. Pam also works with other members of the Executive team on projects related to the organization as a whole.
Beginning in high school, Pam dedicated her career to working with people with intellectual and other disabilities. She began at Hammer & NER as a Program Manager and later became a Program Director before being promoted to Director of Program Services and now Senior Director of Program Services.
Pam grew up with a brother with disabilities and always knew she wanted to help people with disabilities. Now that he lives in a Hammer & NER home, Pam says she is honored to be an employee and family member here. In her work, she often can see challenges from both sides and finds ways to sympathize as well as explain things from different angles.
Jerry LeVasseur
Senior Director of Program Operations
Jerry Levasseur joined Hammer & NER in 2023 and brings 35 years of industry experience in Minnesota and Wisconsin. He supervises several areas including program teams, licensing, compliance, and case management. He is also Hammer & NER’s HIPAA Compliance and Breach Officer.
Jerry has worked for several providers in Minnesota and the metro area which has allowed him to lead a wide range of services across the disabilities sector including residential (waiver and ICF) programs, day supports, employment, and apartment/ICF. Jerry has pioneered the use of technology in waiver homes; developed three waiver programs for transition age (16-21) adjudicated youth and young adults; downsized large ICFs to multiple waiver homes; and developed an innovative employment support program, which included paid internships, paid training, and an integral collaboration using the Twin Cities Rise “Empowerment Program.”
Jerry says he has always enjoyed supporting others and being a part of their success, however great or small. Working with Hammer & NER allows that to continue.
Email: Jerry.Levasseur@hammer.org
Teri Lutzke
Director of Human Resources
Teri Lutzke joined Hammer & NER in 2022, and as Hammer & NER’s Director of Human Resources, she oversees our recruiters, HR Generalist, and assists in hiring, performance management, strategic planning, and processes for the organization.
Teri brings over 20 years of experience in this field. She began her career as a part-time DSP, working for residential providers and a day program. She also worked as an employment consultant for the day program, helping people maintain their employment and meet their personal goals. A shining moment was helping a young woman get her dream job at the White Bear Lake movie theater.
Working at Hammer & NER has special meaning for Teri: Her brother, Brad, was born with Partial Trisomy 13. At the time there were few cases, and little was known about the condition. Unfortunately, he passed away in 1996 at the age of 7, due to a car accident. Teri says she sees sparks of her brother in many of the people she has worked with over the years, which helps keep his memory alive. Teri uses her voice to advocate for those who can’t always advocate for themselves. She says working at Hammer & NER means the world to her.
Email: tlutzke@hammer.org
Mike Siebenaler
Director of Advocacy
Mike joined Hammer & NER in 2024. He previously held leadership and advisory roles in the offices of a U.S. senator, members of Congress, state legislators, and federal agencies. Mike assists residents, staff, and families with getting involved and making their voices heard in government. He can assist with voting, contacting legislators, and building a bridge to the elected officials who impact Hammer & NER. Mike is motivated to help others become strong advocates for themselves.
Christy Stroud
Director of Workforce Development
Christy Stroud joined Hammer & NER in 2025. She is responsible for programs and courses that promote the growth and development of Hammer & NER staff. Christy oversees the Training department and works closely with Human Resources to provide our employees with opportunities for professional and career growth. Prior to joining Hammer & NER, Christy worked for a nonprofit CAP (Community Action Partnership) agency where she served as the department coordinator for head start programs and provided coaching programs for QRIS early childhood providers achieving their rating.
Christy says she is excited to work with the disability services community as the services we provide resonate with her. Her twins were born prematurely and have cognitive disabilities. She also has a sister with cognitive disabilities. Christy believes training our staff to provide the highest quality services they can to those we support is essential in providing a quality and meaningful life for those who are entrusted to our care.
Email: Christy.stroud@hammer.org
Isaiah Allen
Chief Development Officer
Isaiah joined Hammer & NER in January 2024 and brings over 20 years of experience driving fundraising success, strategic growth, and organizational transformation with mission-driven nonprofits. Prior to joining Hammer & NER, Isaiah was the Senior Director of External Relations at College Possible Minnesota where he led fundraising efforts, external communications, and government relations. Isaiah brings expertise in strategic planning, donor relations, and grant management. He is passionate about engaging donors in mission, building collaborative teams, and fostering cultures of trust.
Email: Isaiah.Allen@Hammer.org