About Us

Scott Riddle, Chief Executive Officer and President, leads all aspects of Walker Methodist's operations, mission, vision, and strategy.

As Chief Executive Officer and President, Scott leads the development of organizational strategies, as well as oversees the creation and implementation of the organization’s mission, vision and direction. He joined the organization as Chief Financial Officer in April 2013 and was named Chief Executive Officer and President in 2014.

Prior to joining Walker Methodist, Scott worked as the Vice President of Finance at Ecumen. His professional experience includes Finance roles at International Multifoods and Northwest Airlines and in diverse industries such as consumer auto rental and medical device, among others. He holds an MBA from the University of St. Thomas and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Bethel College. He volunteers his time as a Member of the Board on the Finance Committee for Aging Services of Minnesota.

Scott was recently named a Top 100 Influential Healthcare Leader by Minnesota Physicians Magazine. This award is a tremendous honor for Scott and the entire Walker Methodist family.

Russ Grundhauser is an accomplished a versatile executive leader with a strong finance and accounting background. Russ has been with Walker Methodist since 2017, and he is highly regarded by his team and known for his commitment to faithful stewardship.

He leads all financial aspects of Walker Methodist’s parent corporation, controlled affiliates and subsidiaries. These areas include internal and external reporting, budgeting and financial analysis, cash and investment management, revenue cycle management, audits, and risk management. Additionally, Russ oversees the Environmental Services, Information Technology, and Development Teams.

He has a 30-year proven track record of strong leadership and outstanding business results in fast-paced and rapidly changing environments. Prior to Walker Methodist, Russ was the CFO with Bloom Health Corporation and Vice President of Financial Services with International Dairy Queen.

Russ has a Bachelor of Business and Public Relations in Accounting from the University of North Dakota. In his free time, Russ enjoys running, tending to his perennial garden and spending time with family at their cabin. He is an active volunteer with the CFO Leadership Council, serving as Co-Chair of the Steering Committee.

Veronica Barnas is a highly driven and motivated leader who joined Walker Methodist in 2019 as a Benefits Manager. In a short time, she was promoted to the Director of HRIS, Benefits, and Compensation, and in 2022, she took on the role of Vice President of Human Resources.

Known for her cool head in the midst of challenges, Veronica is a trusted leader. With an impressive command of the details and nuances of employee benefits and human resource laws and regulations, Veronica is thorough and conscientious in all aspects of her work, never allowing the details to slip through the cracks. She has demonstrated mastery of coaching, benefits, acquisitions and divestitures, process implementation, compensation, leave management, onboarding, payroll, and building relationships. She handles the more difficult aspects of human resources, choosing to manage difficult conversations with both clarity and empathy.

Before coming to Walker Methodist, Veronica service in a variety of Human Resources and Benefits roles in a number of organizations, including Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Science Museum of Minnesota, Robert Half Management Resources, Kraft Foods and Nestle. Veronica earned a Bachelor’s in Human Resources Management from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

When Karin Meier joined Walker Methodist in September 2022, she came ready, eager, and equipped to make big things happen for the Walker Methodist Foundation. Karin casts an inspiring vision and encourages others to join in—a skill that has brought successful results for the Foundation and for past organizations.

As Vice President of Fund Development, Karin provides leadership and oversight for all of Walker Methodist’s philanthropy, fundraising, and advocacy activities. In addition, she works to develop strategies that enhance corporate and foundation support.

Karin has an extensive background in broad-based fundraising, community relations, and marketing. Prior to Walker Methodist, Karin served in development roles with Project for Pride, Hennepin Healthcare Foundation, and the Institute for Trafficked, Exploited, and Missing Persons.

Karin graduated from Bemidji State University with a degree in Mass Communications. She also holds a Mini MBA Program Certificate from the University of St. Thomas and a Grantsmanship Center Grant Writer’s Certification.

Brenda Schrupp has been a part of the Walker Methodist family for a decade, having worked in several leadership roles, including Campus Administrator for seven years at Walker Methodist Westwood Ridge (West St. Paul), and Quality and Corporate Compliance. She brought with her to Walker Methodist a wealth of experience gained from her time as a social worker and growing into director, starting up a transitional care, and administrator roles in other care centers. Her experiences have allowed her to oversee a full continuum of care, ranging from Independent Living to Skilled Nursing/Transitional Care and everything in between.

In her current role, Brenda works to ensure that residents are getting the best care possible while also meeting regulatory standards. She does this by working with leaders to find efficiencies and create sustainable processes and manageable workloads.

Brenda is a passionate advocate of finding work/life balance—so passionate that she did her graduate research project on the topic. “I truly believe that part of my role as a servant leader is to care for those in my charge, and one of the best ways to do that is to make sure that people are caring for themselves so that they can better serve others and sustain as leaders,” says Brenda.

Brenda earned a Bachelor’s degree from University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire, completed her Long-Term Care Administration from the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities Carlson School of Management, and her Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from St. Catherine University—St. Paul. When she is not working, you’ll likely find that she’s traveling the globe—filling her soul and finding her own work/life balance.

Steve Wilson is a fierce advocate for all those whom he serves and leads, and knowledgeable operator and leader. He has been with Walker Methodist since 2014, and has since taken on increasing responsibilities, growing from an Executive Director of one community to a Regional Director of Operations for several communities, and was appointed to the Vice President of Operations for all of Walker Methodist.

Steve is an encourager and helps people realize their potential, which has helped Walker Methodist’s leaders and communities tackle complex issues and handle difficulties, knowing they have a solid source of knowledge walking with them through the process. He is an established source of wisdom and his steady devotion to our residents and team members has solidified his position as an integral leader whom others want to follow.

Steve holds a bachelor’s degree from Concordia University—St Paul. In his free time, he loves spending time with his wife Jodi and their grandchildren, making wine with his father-in-law, and is an avid runner.