Our Team

Founder/LADC

Margot is the leader of our Recovery Revolution as well as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor, she has built this team with years of sobriety and dedication. She cares so deeply about each person that walks through our doors and helping them fight addiction. Margot is a Bemidji native, and dreams of helping save this community she loves so very much from the disease of addiction. She herself has many years in recovery which has led her to go on and achieved her LADC through Bemidji State University, open an outpatient clinic and eventually now our inpatient facility. Margot has a laugh and smile that can brighten the day of anyone she meets.

Founder/ Art Supervisor

Michael Kelsey is another founder of our fine facility. He is known as our resident philosopher and teaches our art program. Michael really enjoys connecting with the clients and sharing his wisdom which is as astonishingly vast and as generous as his heart. He truly brings joy to all he meets and cares deeply about the recovery of each of our clients.

Head Honcho

Mini is the real head honcho around our facility. She can usually be seen leading or following KP and Margot around the facility. Mini has supported KP and Margot through many triumphs as well as difficult times and keeps Mom and Dad feeling sane and loved. Don’t let her small appearance fool you, she is the big dog around here but with a simple “hey pretty girl” you might just be able to get an acknowledgement from our resident diva.

2nd Head Honcho

Ellie-Felony “Ellie” is our live-in companion. She has a strong sense when something is wrong and can usually be found following her favorite humans, Kevin, Cathy, or Sven. NMAWC has been Ellie’s home since she was just a little pup. As she grows older, she is still just a pup at heart and enjoys running and playing. She makes this place a wonderful environment for staff and clients.

Health Service Technician Manager

Ashley joined our team back in 2020 as an overnight health service technician and has since worked her way up to Health Service Technician Manager. Ashley has 7 years of sobriety which we are all very proud of her for. She is very hard working, caring and is dedicated to helping our clients succeed and to seeing others reach their full potential in recovery.

LSW/LADC

Caitlin was born in Wyoming and moved to the Duluth area as a child. In her late 20’s, after some years of exploring different states, she moved to Bemidji to be closer to her grandparents. She attended college at Bemidji State University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science for Social Work and went on to become a Licensed Social Worker and a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Caitlin originally joined our team as an intern in January of 2023 and converted to a full-time LADC after finishing her internship and gaining licensure in August of 2023. Caitlin comes to our team with her own experiences of addiction and recovery, making her an asset to our team and to the community. She has a great sense of humor and is the caring mother of a long-haired Chihuahua names Gus who often comes to visit us at NMAWC.

Kitchen and Purchasing Manager

Cathy has been here since we opened our doors in 2020. She has years of kitchen service under her belt and is in charge of running our newly renovated kitchen. She takes care of all of our client and staff needs by ordering supplies that keep our facility running. Cathy has taken our meals to the next level by providing clients home cooked meals daily. She has been married to her husband for16+ years and is a major part in our success here at NMAWC.

Chief Financial Officer/Founder

Charles grew up in North Minneapolis, married his high school sweetheart Merilee, and graduated from Bemidji State University with a degree in accounting and mathematics. He worked for KPMG Peat Marwick, served as CFO for Chartwell Reinsurance Company, and held various roles in AIG in New York and London. Charles returned to his home on Long Lake in 2014 and has been helping to run a facility since 2020.

LADC Supervisor

Danielle is very compassionate and recently became our LADC Supervisor as of the end of 2022. Danielle joined our team back in 2020 when we opened our doors. She attended University of North Dakota and then Bemidji State University where she graduated with her bachelor’s in psychology. Danielle has been an amazing addition to our team and lights up the facility with her smile and kind heart.

Registered Nurse Manager

Denise is a Registered Nurse Manager with over 40 years of experience in nursing. 30 years of hospital nursing in OB and medical surgical units. She also has 12 years of experience with assisted living homes, group homes, and juvenile detention center, doing medication set up, medication administration training, and required mandatory annual training for employees. Along with reviewing and updating policies as required.

LADC

Ken has been working in the substance abuse disorder field as an LADC (Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor) since 2002. Ken received his education at Bemidji State University. Following this, Ken graduated with a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Minnesota School of Professional Psychology. Ken was licensed as an LPC, then an LPCC in MN beginning in 2010.  Ken has worked for several different facilities around the State of MN. Additionally, he is also licensed in addictions in the State of Utah.

Maintenance Manager

Kevin is our maintenance manager who keeps this place looking tidy. He has been here since our doors opened and is a huge help in keeping the facility running. He can usually be found with his side kick Felony also known as “Ellie” and always has a huge smile on his face unless you touch his mop.

Chief of Operations

KP is our Chief of operations and manager of shenanigans. He is often one of the first faces you will see here at our facility as he does our intake transportation when needed. When he is not ensuring the safety of our facility, he is often leading therapeutic rec, dancing his way into your heart- tutu and all. He is responsible along with Margot for starting our recovery revolution and is very caring and open minded when it comes to helping our clients. You can usually find KP being followed or lead around by the real boss of our facility, Mini.

Intake Coordinator

Mikka grew up in Temecula, California, and worked as a Dental Assistant for 15 years. Her and her husband moved to Bemidji, Minnesota in May 2020, amidst the pandemic. They love exploring the parks and the changing seasons here. At the Northern Minnesota Addiction Wellness Center, she works as an intake specialist, scheduling admissions and checking referrals and insurance. She is proud to be of service to those seeking help.

Intake/Billing Manager

Nicole joined our team at the very beginning of our journey. She has worn many hats in the facility but is currently the manager of the intake and billing department. Nicole is very knowledgeable in what she does and has years of experience under her belt. Graduating from Trek North and Northwest Technical college here in Bemidji, Nicole has been a huge part of our community for many years and has a passion for helping others and seeing clients succeed in their recovery.

Intake/Billing Specialist

Rebecca joined our team in 2022 starting as a Health service technician and client driver and currently works in our Intake and Billing department. Rebecca moved to Bemidji in 2017 and fell in love with the area and all the wonderful people. She worked previously in juvenile corrections for 5+ years. Rebecca enjoys the outdoors, spending time with her children and riding motorcycle with her husband. Rebecca is our go to for assistance with county and insurance paperwork and enjoys laughing with clients and making people smile.

Human Resources

Coming soon

LADC

Terrie joined our team in 2022 as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Terrie has attended St. Mary’s university where she received her bachelor’s in psychology and women’s issues and then Bemidji State University where she got her LADC license. Terrie is celebrating 8 years of sobriety which guides her in being an amazing and understandable counselor. She is very knowledgeable and compassionate towards others and offers many clients guidance and opportunity to reach a responsible functional lifestyle.