Leadership
Board of Directors
Marc Ruden | Board President + Chair
A Professional Engineer with Origin Design in Dubuque since 2007, Marc Ruden is currently Origin’s Municipal and Water Resources Team Leader. Organized project management, strong communication, and leadership skills are key traits that Marc possesses ... essential for project success whether the project is for a local government entity or for any of the community organizations he's involved with. He has found working with communities, developing solutions, and helping them meet their individual needs very rewarding.
In addition to being President and Chair of the Operation Empower Board of Directors, Marc:
- serves on the Mount Pleasant Home Board and
- is on the Building and Site Selection Committee of the Dubuque and Jackson County Habitat for Humanity.
Born and raised in Dubuque, Marc is happily married to his wife, Erin, and loves spending time with her and his daughter Mya doing almost anything outdoors in the Tri-State Area.
John Goodmann
A lifelong resident of Dubuque, John Goodmann operated Goodmann Insurance Services for more than 40 years and retired in July of 2023.
He has served on a variety of boards and commissions including:
- Hills & Dales,
- the Dubuque County Zoning Board, and
- the National Mississippi Parkway Commission.
Kathy Hutton
The Director of St. Stephen’s Food Bank Branch of River Bend, Kathy Hutton oversees and directs all activities within the Dubuque Branch to ensure effective and efficient practices, including receiving, distribution, food storage and transportation, logistics, inventory control, food safety and physical maintenance of all facilities and vehicles. She also maintains relationships with all departments within the organization including finance, programs, other warehouse locations, and the community-at-large; e.g., food donors. partner agencies, and volunteers
Activities outside of work include gardening, reading, volunteering, spending time with friends, and caring for her two fur babies.
Michelle Mihalakis
Founder and Executive Director, Michelle Mihalakis's passion to help the homeless propelled her to form Operation Empower in 2005.
Since then, she has helped men and women who:
- experience domestic violence,
- battle brain health and substance abuse disorder issues,
- are caught in poverty,
- are exiting incarceration, and
- are physically disabled.
Michelle oversaw the building of Manasseh House, Salvia Apartments, Liberty Recovery Community, and is in the process of launching Liberty Sober Transitions for Men in March 2025.
Jenni Petersen-Brant
A native of the Tri-State area and resident of Dubuque since 2019, Jenni Petersen-Brant serves as the Director of Communications for Greater Dubuque Development Corporation. In addition to that role, Jenni is a working ceramic artist and arts consultant, providing both contracted services and volunteer hours to advance the impact of the arts on our regional quality of life.
Passionate about community health and well-being, Jenni began serving on the Operation Empower board in 2024 to share expertise in grant writing, non-profit operations, and communications in support of the organization's mission.
She is also a cat mom of 4 and loves to garden, cook, and lend a hand with her family's Cedar & Sage Alpaca operation.
Karen Tuecke
The Development Director with the Sisters of the Presentation, Karen Tuecke raises funds that support the ministries aligning with their mission. She is also an adjunct professor at Northeast Iowa Community College, teaching adult education and business development in technologies. [She has been in nonprofit and higher education since 2005.]
In addition to serving on Operation Empower’s Board of Directors, she is also a member (and Past President) of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). [In 2024, she was recognized as the Outstanding Professional Fundraiser at National Philanthropy Day.] She's also a delivery driver with Convivium Urban Farmstead for those who are disabled and homebound and volunteers her time, talent, and treasure to St. Joseph Catholic Parish and School in Sinsinawa and Wahlert Catholic School.
Married to Todd and mom to two daughters Kristine and Kennedy, the family lives in Dubuque.
Staff
Founder and Executive Director, Michelle Mihalakis's passion to help the homeless propelled her to form Operation Empower in 2005.
Since then, she has helped men and women who:
- experience domestic violence,
- battle brain health and substance abuse disorder issues,
- are caught in poverty,
- are exiting incarceration, and
- are physically disabled.
Michelle oversaw the building of Manasseh House, Salvia Apartments, Liberty Recovery Community, and is in the process of launching Liberty Sober Transitions for Men in March 2025.
Since 2007, Operation Empower Housing Director Kimberly Terry has been helping disadvantaged men and women become empowered through permanent affordable housing while teaching them life skills to help them live the life they deserve.
Kimberly considers her work an opportunity to minister to the needs of those in recovery and enjoys building relationships with them.
In her own time, Kimberly is involved in church ministry and is passionate about other people groups and cultures. She also enjoys spending time with her family.
Instructor Pam Davis-Maas brings many years of recovery life experience to the Liberty Recovery Community and is a licensed practical nurse, both of which help serve those in recovery. She is a long-standing member of AA and enjoys facilitating groups at Liberty Recovery Community.
Pam has mentored and empowered many people through the years, and enjoys being a mom and grandmother.
Social Media Coordinator Tara Franklin is passionate about sharing the inspiring stories and transformative work happening at Liberty Recovery and other Operation Empower projects. With several years of experience in social media and marketing, she uses her skills to connect people with the organization’s mission.
Outside of work, Tara’s life revolves around her faith and family. She is actively involved in her church and enjoys reading and spending quality time with her loved ones.
Case Manager Stacy Mess brings a wealth of first-hand experience to the Liberty Recovery Community as a peer support worker while finishing her bachelors degree in Social Work.
Stacy is passionate about advancing those in recovery, works well with the judicial system, truly cares about her clientele, and is loved by the peer community at Liberty.
In her free time, Stacy is very active and loves going on excursions with her family.
Assistant to Housing Director Stacy Post has experienced the effects of substance use disorders in the lives of close family members and friends. As a survivor, she seeks to help others be successful in their recovery journey.
She works with Liberty Recovery Community's residents on a daily basis, accepts newcomers into our community, and helps them get settled in. She is compassionate, pays great attention to detail, and is a valued peer community member.
Stacy loves being Mom to four children and several furry children.
Bookkeeper Sherri Wolf has worked as a bookkeeper in several nonprofits for many years. Soft-spoken and diligent in her work, she finds it rewarding to watch our community members become successful in their recovery.
Sherri loves spending time with her family and has numerous nieces and nephews. She also enjoys her two cats.
Emotional Support
... a powerful role in substance abuse recovery
Therapy dogs like Levi play a powerful role in substance abuse recovery, offering unconditional love, emotional support, and a calming presence. 
They remind us to live in the moment, find joy in the small things, and trust the journey of healing.
Levi's always ready for a pet, spreading joy and hope to everyone he meets! Next time you visit, be sure to say "Hi!" to Levi!
OFFICE HOURS:
- Monday-Friday: 8a-5p
- By appointment
Visit Us
2216 White Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
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