Blossoming as a tribute to the vibrant, caring legacy of our late Bethesda board member, Dena Eichelberger.
“Dena’s Day” is designed to empower joyful learning through a day of continuing education for Bethesda staff.
The day will be filled with speakers and entertainment for our team members, as was Dena’s wish to enhance the lives of those who live Bethesda’s mission of “Serving others together in faith, community, and life.”
Jerrid Sebesta – JerridSebesta.com
You might not know this from a quick glance at his website, but Jerrid Sebesta’s life has been a tapestry of challenges and transformations. Born into the complexity of divorced parents, he grew up in a trailer home amidst the quiet landscapes of rural Minnesota. Summers were an escape to Wyoming and Colorado, bonding with his father amidst nature’s vastness.
From an early age, Jerrid felt like a by-product of the world’s chaos, wrestling with deep-seated insecurities that led him down the path of chronic perfectionism. This drive pushed him to play college basketball as a walk-on at the University of North Dakota, seeking validation and happiness in achievements.
Climbing the career ladder, Jerrid landed a high-profile TV job. On the surface, it seemed like he had it all, but behind the scenes, happiness eluded him. He felt like the world was only getting 15% of him at his worst moments, yearning for something more meaningful.
Amidst this turmoil, he made a bold move, quitting his job and relocating during the COVID pandemic. This upheaval expanded his family, a silver lining from what he describes as a “flagpole moment.”
Transitioning from the hustle of city life and demanding schedules, Jerrid now embraces the quietude of a hobby farm with his growing family. Some might call it a midlife crisis, but to him, it’s a journey of rediscovery.
As he matures, Jerrid’s perspective on life and time has evolved. He’s learned that life shouldn’t be lived with a “someday” mentality. If there’s something he wants to do, whether it’s starting a business or visiting family, he knows the time to act is now.
For Jerrid, happiness isn’t a destination but a present journey. He’s discovered that to truly experience life, one must live it undeferred. So, he invites you to join him on this transformative journey, embracing the here and now.
Jerrid and his wife, Emily, live in the Willmar area with their 4 kids.
Linda Shell – LindaShell.com
Linda Shell, an esteemed educator, speaker, researcher, consultant, and professional nurse with over 25 years of experience, has dedicated her career to improving the quality of care for elders. Her passion for supporting field professionals through education, coaching, mentoring, and evidence-based practices is evident in her extensive work within the senior care sector.
Currently, Linda holds a pivotal role in leadership development and consultation for senior care organizations. Here, she focuses on critical areas such as leadership, falls prevention, dementia care, sleep research, and organizational development.
Linda’s journey into this field began unexpectedly. Despite not intending to work in long-term care upon graduating from nursing school, circumstances led her to her first job in a nursing home. It was here that a profound connection with both residents and staff sparked a deep sense of purpose and fulfillment in making a meaningful difference in their lives.
Throughout her career, Linda has achieved numerous milestones, including earning a doctorate in nursing leadership, managing diverse teams, leading multiple organizations, and sharing her expertise through speaking engagements and consultations nationwide. Through her tireless efforts, Linda strives to create a brighter future for elders, their families, and caregivers alike.
One of Linda’s notable contributions is the development of SurTHRIVELeadership, an evidence-based program aimed at cultivating resilient leaders within long-term care settings. Since its inception in 2016, SurTHRIVELeadership has impacted thousands of providers in both long-term and acute care settings, solidifying Linda’s reputation as a leading authority in leadership development within the field.
Ann Vote – Impact to Influence
Ann Vote is a passionate advocate for cultivating positive, inclusive, and engaging cultures within companies, schools, and organizations. With a firm belief that growth accelerates in an environment of trust, Ann emphasizes the importance of valuing individuals to inspire confidence and encourage them to reach their full potential.
Through her company, IMPACT to Influence, Ann delivers impactful presentations and events designed to empower individuals to shape their cultures for success while enhancing their leadership and communication skills. Her vision is to see team members empowered to solve problems efficiently and take confident actions, knowing that their contributions are valued and essential to the organization’s success.
In educational settings, Ann envisions students recognizing their worth and feeling motivated to embrace challenges, fueled by the encouragement, expectations, and appreciation modeled by their mentors. Additionally, she envisions managers stepping up to handle challenging situations with grace, confidence, and patience, ensuring that everyone involved feels heard, respected, and trusted.
Ann founded IMPACT to Influence with the mission of supporting leaders in creating cultures where individuals feel valued, trusted, and confident. Through her proprietary IMPACT Method, she teaches and trains on the six steps to building and nurturing a thriving culture. This equips participants with actionable steps to create environments that attract others and fosters confidence within teams to work collaboratively towards shared goals.
By attending an IMPACT to Influence course or event, participants experience firsthand the benefits of a thriving environment and are inspired to cultivate similar cultures in their own settings. Ann’s ultimate goal is to collaboratively create thriving cultures that enable individuals to find purpose and pursue their passions, both professionally and personally.
Jessica Hanson – Willmar Hypnosis
Jessica L. Hanson’s journey with hypnosis began at a young age, following a family tragedy, when she was introduced to a compassionate psychologist and hypnotist named Ruth S Harris. Through sessions with Ruth, Jessica learned to cope with various challenges, including loss, grief, self-esteem, public speaking, and confidence, while also being taught the art of hypnosis itself.
Drawing from a diverse background in the study of various religions and complementary healing modalities such as Kinesiology, Energy Balancing, Essential Oils, and Herbalism, Jessica has cultivated a holistic approach to healing. As an entrepreneur and proud high school dropout, she spent time in Florida residing in a non-denominational Christian community, gaining insights into the impact of spiritual beliefs on individuals.
During her time in Florida, Jessica had a near-death experience (NDE) that deepened her understanding of the mind-body connection. Utilizing the hypnosis techniques she had learned, she recovered from the NDE and regained control over her body. This experience ignited her fascination with the power of the mind-body connection and the role of hypnosis in healing.
Hypnosis played a pivotal role in Jessica’s personal healing journey, helping her overcome challenges such as grief, sexual assault, and the loss of her first husband. Today, happily married to her husband Ron, a veteran, Jessica enjoys a fulfilling life filled with activities like disk golf, gardening, cooking, and volunteering.
Beyond her hypnosis practice, Jessica is an active member of the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and serves as a Chamber Diplomat. She also owns and teaches at a private hypnosis career school and volunteers with the Willmar CERT (community emergency response team). In her spare time, she and her husband volunteer at local food shelves and enjoy activities like crossword puzzles, Sudoku, and word searches.
Jessica specializes in addressing a range of issues, including grief, stress, anxiety, unexplained medical problems, personal mysteries, and life adjustments, tailoring her approach to meet each client’s unique needs. Certified as a Hypnotherapist through the IMDHA (International Medical and Dental Hypnotherapy Association) and IACT (International Association of Counselors and Therapists), Jessica is dedicated to helping others harness the transformative power of hypnosis for healing and personal growth.
Dena's Day: A Team Enrichment Event 2024
Please register by May 22, 2024 - You can register for 1, 2, 3, or all 4 sessions!
Dena's Day: A Team Enrichment Event 2024
Please register by May 22, 2024 - You can register for 1, 2, 3, or all 4 sessions!
