Patrick Thueson
Chief Executive Officer, Foundation Trustee
Patrick Thueson was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota in March 2020.
Prior to becoming CEO, Patrick held the position of LSS Chief Operating Officer and CFO, responsible for Services, Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, Marketing & Communications, and Information Technology. Patrick has been with LSS of Minnesota since 2007. Before coming to the not-for-profit sector, Patrick held a variety of leadership roles with Coca-Cola Enterprises as part of their finance, operations, and marketing functions.
Patrick is a Thrivent / LECNA Fellow, a leadership program organized around vocation, calling, and visionary organizational leadership designed to equip the next generation of leaders of Lutheran organizations.
As CEO, Patrick is focused on continuing LSS’ strong position as a leader in growing innovative and effective social services in Minnesota. Patrick earned his business degree from the University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul.
Michael Huray
Chief Financial Officer
Michael Huray became Chief Financial Officer of LSS on October 1, 2019, and is responsible for Finance, Accounting, Information Technology and Property Management.
Prior to this role, he spent seven years as the Senior Director of Finance for LSS responsible for leading the LSS Finance Team in supporting services to develop the annual budget, financial forecast, five-year plan and other strategic planning and analysis. For four years, concurrent with his position as senior director, Michael held the dual role of Chief Financial Officer for Children’s Home Society of Minnesota – a position he retains as LSS CFO. As CFO of CHS, Michael is involved in all aspects of CHS financial operations and works closely with the Board and related Committees.
Michael received his bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Minnesota in Duluth. He received the Breakthrough and Velocity Award from Lutheran Social Service in 2015 for his work around organizational effectiveness.
Heidi Wiste
President
Heidi Wiste began working at Children’s Home in July 2000, after receiving her bachelor’s degree from Skidmore College and her master’s degree from New York University. For more than 20 years, Heidi has been committed to Children’s Home, where she has provided direct program, therapeutic and post-adoption services to foster and adopted children and families. Heidi became a manager in Foster Care Adoption at a critical development time to focus services on permanency journeys for waiting children in Minnesota and around the world. Heidi was instrumental in the integration of the Adoption Programs of Children’s Home and Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota and oversaw the Foster Care Adoption Programs, Infant and Pregnancy Services, and Innovative Post Adoption Services.
A lifelong learner, Heidi holds certificates in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health from the University of Minnesota, Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics from the Child Trauma Academy, and Executive Leadership in the Not-for-Profit sector from New York University. In addition to her professional experience, Heidi brings lived experience as an adoptee from South Korea through Children’s Home.
Board of Directors
Children’s Home and LSS maintain two separate boards of directors. The board of directors is responsible for the overall policy and direction of each organization. Board members demonstrate commitment to each organization’s mission and actively advocate for Children’s Home and LSS and their programs. Each director’s vision, dedication and generosity helps to make the work of Children’s Home and LSS possible.
