Michelle Basham, JD, ESQ, MPA, Executive Director
Michelle Basham came to Genesis II from the MN Department of Human Services where she was responsible for strategic planning and special projects, including initiatives focused on at-risk adults, cultural competency, diversity, disparities in health care, and emerging issues in human services. Michelle was also the founder and Executive Director of Avenues for Homeless Youth, the first shelter for homeless youth in Minneapolis. She has a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Hamline University and earned her Juris Doctor from Hamline University School of Law.
Email Michelle Basham or call 612.877.7827.
Bernell E. Buchanan, Associate Director
Bernell Buchanan has been involved with Genesis II since 2003, first as a consultant, then as Director of Finance & Development, Interim Executive Director, and now as the agency’s Associate Director. She has a varied background in organizational management and finance, including five years consulting on nonprofit accounting and finance, three years as controller of a national non-profit, three years of auditing in the public accounting sector and several years in the private corporate sector. Bernell holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and an inactive license as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Email Bernell Buchanan or call 612.877.7828.
Ann Gaasch, Program Director
Ann Gaasch is responsible for management oversight of the programs and support services, including developing policies and procedures, developing new programs to serve youth and families, and ensuring program compliance and evaluation. Ann was formerly the Family Services Manager at Tubman Family Alliance, Program Director at the St. Paul/Ramsey County Children’s Initiative, and Suicide Prevention Coordinator at the Minnesota Department of Health. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Carleton College in Northfield, Minn., and a Master’s degree in counseling and general psychology from St. Mary’s University in Minneapolis. She is the co-author of a grief support curriculum and has provided trainings on a variety of topics at local and national conferences.
Email Ann Gaasch or call 612.877.7831.
Sukanya Kalia, Programs Manager
Sukanya holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy with a minor in Public Health and Population Studies from the University of Minnesota. She came to Genesis II in 2010 from the Minnesota Department of Human Services Healthcare Administration.
Email Sukanya Kalia or call 612-877-7835.
George Kressin, Clinical Supervisor
George holds Minnesota Licenses in Marriage and Family Therapy and in Independent Social Work and is a State of Minnesota approved clinical supervisor by two boards: Marriage and Family Therapy and Behavioral Health and Therapy. He has 39 years in the profession of therapy and social work. George provides ongoing clinical supervision of staff through case consultation.
Email George Kressin or call 612.877.7830.
Beverly Pfeiffer, Manager of Children’s Services
Beverly (Bea) Pfeiffer is credentialed by the national Child Development Association and has been working in child development since 1997, including being a center manager and lead teacher. Bea also has experience working at teen homeless shelters, and began working at Genesis II in 1999.
Email Bea Pfeiffer or call 612.877.7821.
Julie Shortridge, Marketing and Development Manager
Julie holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of St. Thomas and a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Minnesota. She previously worked as the Public Information Manager for Anoka County, Director of Communications at the University of Minnesota, and as a grantwriter.
Email Julie Shortridge or call 612-877-7844.
Bertha Ashford, Youth Services Case Manager
Bertha has been working in the human services field for 37 years, first as a lead teacher in early childhood development, as a case manager at Head Start, and as a parent child worker and teen parent case manager in social service agencies. Bertha has been at Genesis II since 2009.
Email Bertha Ashford or call 612-877-7834.
Yvonne Brown, Agency Office Coordinator
Yvonne previously worked in Hennepin County’s central imaging unit and has been with Genesis II since 2008.
Email Yvonne Brown or call 612-877-7800.
Shante Fauskee, Volunteer and Intern Coordinator
Shante is licensed as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, holds a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Argosy University, and has received training in Family Law Mediation. She has been with Genesis II since 2009.
Email Shante Fauskee or call 612-877-7837.
Emily Glasgow, Supervised Parenting Coordinator
Emily has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the College of St. Scholastica and is pursuing a Master’s degree in Social Work at Augsburg University. She has been with Genesis II since 2007.
Email Emily Glasgow or call 612-877-7832.
Erin Johnson, Parent Child Interaction Treatment Specialist
Erin holds an Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Argosy University and is licensed as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. She has completed additional training in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health through the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Erin joined the staff of Genesis II in 2009.
Email Erin Johnson or call 612-877-7836.
Takayla Pfieffer-Parker, Child Care Assistant
Takayla is currently working toward being credentialed by the national Child Development Association and has been at Genesis II since 2005.
Call 612-877-7842.
Vikki Queenan, Licensed Parent Educator
Vikki is a Minnesota Licensed Teacher in Parent Education, holds a Master’s degree in Family Education from the University of Minnesota, and previously worked for 12 years in Twin Cities school districts.
Email Vikki Queenan or call 612-877-7813.
Emma Siebold, Child Development Specialist
Emma has a Bachelor’s degree in Child Psychology from the University of Minnesota and has been working at Genesis II since 2007.
Email Emma Siebold or call 612-877-7845.
Taylor Wilcox, Youth Services Case Manager
Taylor holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Dependency Counseling and Women’s Studies and is pursuing her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Minnesota. She has 35 years experience in youth social services, including previous work at Hope Street Homeless Youth Shelter and at the University of Minnesota’s Youth and AIDS Project.
Email Taylor Wilcox or call 612-877-7826.