Our Team

Bio coming soon.

Ace Yang is the Culinary Director for Westwood Ridge in West St. Paul. Ace began his career with Walker Methodist is 2013 and has held a variety of positions, each one with increasing responsibility and leadership.

Ace’s favorite thing to do is provide the residents with a great meal – and the smiles they share with him drives him to cook an even better meal tomorrow. He believes he can make a difference in residents' lives through delicious food and having good conversations with them.

Ace’s favorite thing is the outdoors, and he loves talking about fishing, hunting, and farming. He has five sisters, is married to May Lor, and has two children Aidyn (8) and Stella (2). Ace grew up in St. Paul, and when he’s not at Westwood Ridge creating delicious meals, you’ll find him with his family enjoying the great outdoors.

I love knowing what I do makes a difference every day. My entire career has been in the healthcare field—pharmacy, home care, sales, medical imaging—but working with older adults is so important to me.

I joined the team in 2020 and love being part of a supportive team. On a day-to-day basis, I help residents (and/or their families) find a new home that’s perfect for them. I also give tours and educate professionals about our community. Grateful to have a close network, I take pride in being a resource to others. I love to partner with others to make sure residents and patients are cared for well. My day is made when residents and family members tell me how happy they are to call Westwood Ridge home.

In my free time, I can be found walking, hiking, gardening, and fishing. I also enjoy drawing and painting, making jewelry, and seeing live music. My two sons are musicians and live in Chicago. I have two cats, Stella and Luna, who make me smile every day.

Bio coming soon.

My career is more than a job. From knowing the challenges my team faces to advocating for residents, I know I’m making a difference.

When I joined the Walker Methodist team in 2018, I knew I’d found a place I belong. Starting in the TCU, I was promoted to resident services manager and now work as the director of housing.

At our community, I oversee the housing operations, including Westwood Ridge I, memory care, and care suites. I helped bring trauma-informed education to WWR and updated the TCU’s psychosocial assessment. I love to build relationships and feel honored to hear residents’ stories. Every day, the excitement, activities, and laughter I hear and see in the hallways—from both residents and team members—brings me joy.

When I’m not at work, I enjoy reading, watching my kids in sports, and walking my dogs.

I am a licensed graduate social worker (LGSW) and licensed assisted living director. 

Bio coming soon.

I feel so blessed to be working my dream job. I believe I am doing what I am called to do, and I love having a bonus “family” of residents. They make my life complete.

I have been in the healthcare field for more than 20 years. With a deep passion to help others and bring joy to those around me, I joined the team at Westwood Ridge in 2014. On a daily basis, I create programs and engaging events for residents to enjoy. I’m known for finding reasons to wear a fun costume, and I am passionate about taking nothing and making it into something. In addition to overseeing life enrichment, I also help with employee appreciation initiatives. Previously, I was honored to be nominated by residents for Leading Age’s Caregiver of the Year award.

When I’m not at work, I enjoy spending time at my family’s resort and campground in Faribault, which has been in the family for four generations. I enjoy taking trips and spending time with my husband and daughter.

I started working at Westwood Ridge more than a decade ago. I've held many positions including groundskeeper, maintenance tech 3, maintenance tech 1, maintenance engineer, maintenance manager, maintenance supervisor, and director of environmental services.

On a day-to-day basis, I ensure that the building is efficient and safe. I have a knack for mechanical troubleshooting and problem solving. Also detail-oriented, I take pride in doing a great job. I enjoy working at Walker Methodist because I love finding out what residents do for fun (and learning about their past).

When I'm not taking care of Westwood Ridge, you will likely find me hunting, fishing, or doing something outdoors. I have a wife, child, and two very energetic dogs – a Vizsla and Weimaraner. At the end of the day, I would like to be remembered as someone whose support was only a phone call away, day or night.

Bio coming soon.

My job is never boring. Each day is different, and I look forward to the opportunity to learn more about residents, my team, and myself.

Before I joined the Walker team in 2013, I worked in therapeutic recreation and memory care centers. Now, I love building close relationships with residents. Seeing them smile reminds me I’m making a difference.

On a day-to-day basis, I plan activities and programs for memory care, care suites, and TCU residents. I create calendars filled with engaging events, lead activities, oversee my team, and work with other departments to ensure our residents receive quality care. On my team, I’m known for working hard and being an advocate for residents at Westwood Ridge.

In 2018, I completed Walker’s Leadership Development Program. I’ve helped standardize Kaleidoscope memory care programming, restructure corporate dementia training, and develop life enrichment policy and procedures. I am also one of our community’s Parkinson’s Champions.

In my free time, I enjoy walking my dog, spending time with family, baking, and listening to music or podcasts.

I joined the Walker Methodist team in 2012 as marketing assistant. Then, I became marketing specialist. After years as the Director of Sales & Marketing, I am the marketing specialist as I look forward to retirement.

On a day-to-day basis, I reach out to families and individuals, inviting them to visit and learn about what Westwood Ridge has to offer. I conduct tours, plan events, and do outreach visits to create awareness and increase referrals to the community.

I am known for being a strong communicator with a history of effective conflict resolution. Being able to build relationships with seniors and provide them with choices that allow them to live life fully is what excites me most about my job. I’m motivated when I can match a prospective resident’s needs with what Walker Methodist has to offer, all while providing comfort and guidance to the families who sometimes must make tough decisions in regard to their loved ones.

Outside of work, I enjoy playing golf, fishing, and hanging out with my four beautiful grandchildren. I have as a son and a daughter, Amanda and Adam, who are the light of my life.

After I finished my education, I was excited about the information I had learned—and how it could help the senior population. In my previous jobs as a fitness coordinator and graduate assistant, my older clients saw the most benefits from exercise, and they were passionate about the difference they were making in their lives. So, when I joined the Westwood Ridge team in 2020, I jumped right in to help residents improve their strength, balance, mobility, and overall wellness.

On a daily basis, I lead group classes, facilitate personal training sessions, and connect with new residents. I have enhanced our personal training program, group fitness classes, walking club, and more. I focus on teaching clients to use their natural movements while progressively adding weight to their exercises. This allows them to build strength, endurance, muscle, and balance much faster. With a knack for accommodating every ability level, I'm passionate about figuring out what each individual needs and helping them improve. I love hearing how residents’ daily lives are enhanced by fitness. One member told me that they were able to do some deep cleaning on their hands and knees—for the first time in years.

When I’m not at work, you can find me at the gym or practicing speaking French.

I earned my bachelor’s degree in exercise and sport science with a concentration in fitness from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse and my master’s degree in sport management from Western Michigan University. I am also a certified personal trainer through the National Strength and Conditioning Association, certified group fitness instructor through the American Counsel of Sports Medicine, and 200-hour yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance.

Bio coming soon.

I first discovered Walker Methodist in 2015, when I helped care for a neighbor who moved here. It didn’t take long for me to fall in love with the community, team, and residents. So, I applied for an open concierge position, learned how much Walker’s values match my own... and the rest is history.

I was promoted to lead concierge and graduated from Walker’s Leadership Development Program. At Westwood Ridge, I’ve served in the business office, health office, social services office, life enrichment department, and, now, resident services. I love coming to work each day. My team members and our residents really do make Walker the best place to live and work.

On a daily basis, my job is the perfect blend of administrative oversight and personal relationships. I feel honored to get to know families, solve problems with them, and help in any way I can. I also ensure our team has the education and supplies they need to be their best. I communicate and collaborate with other departments to make sure nothing falls through the cracks. Among my team members, I’m known for lending a helping hand and not being afraid of challenges. Residents also trust me to listen and find a solution. From noticing details to streamlining complicated tasks, I strive for the best outcome possible. Every day, I go home knowing I've made a difference in the lives of those I work with and serve.

In my free time, I like crafting: jewelry, sewing, soapmaking, and more. I also love to spend time with family and friends, read, garden, and laugh. My husband, Jerry, and I have three adult children—and we’re enjoying the empty-nester's life.

Growing up on a farm with my grandparents, older adults have always been an important part of my life. In high school, I became a nursing assistant. I loved caring for the “grandparents” of my community, and I knew I'd found my calling.

Passionate about older adults and their families, I joined the Walker team in 2021. I oversee the teams and care in our memory care and care suites neighborhoods. I advocate for holistic care for residents, and I love to help others and make them smile.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my sons, bowling, taking photos, and traveling the United States. I also garden, sew, and bike. We have a cat, Happy, and a dog, Loki.

I earned my RN degree from the College of St. Catherine.

After nearly 12 years in senior living, I joined the Walker team in 2019. I bring unique knowledge of long-term care insurance and veterans affairs.

On a daily basis, I respond to referral sources, welcome new TCU patients, connect with their families, and obtain proper authorizations. I work with our team to ensure residents and patients are satisfied, receiving the best care possible. On my team, I’m known for my customer service skills and ability to follow through.

I have my associate’s LPN degree, as well as a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls.

In my free time, you can find me fishing, spending time with family and friends, reading, and doing yard work. My family lives near St. Paul with our cats and dog.

In the past, I worked as director of client care with Visiting Angels. I joined the Walker team in 2018 as the staffing coordinator.

My job is about connection. Daily, I develop relationships with new team members, solve problems, and help where needed. I’m known for listening, communicating well, and doing what I said I’d do. Working well under pressure, I thrive when I get to solve a problem. My day is made when I can help someone find the right career.

I participated in Walker’s 2021-2022 Leadership Development Program.

When I’m not at work, you can find me cooking and visiting my children and nine grandchildren.

Bio coming soon.

Passionate about enhancing the lives of older adults, I’ve worked in senior living for most of my career. From recreational therapy to starting my own elder care business, my experience has prepared me to serve residents at Westwood Ridge as a social services specialist. 

My goal is to meet the needs of seniors in a quick, sufficient manner. I have a keen awareness of interpreting needs in complex situations and can communicate with family members and residents. With a deep compassion for those I work with, I feel so privileged to assist others in their healthcare journeys. 

In my free time, you can find me at home with my husband and our cute dog. We love finding new hiking trails and waterfalls in Minnesota. Our two sons are constant sources of excitement and fun. 

After a re-organization at my previous job, I decided I wanted to work with people, not pallets. Now, I love working at Walker Methodist. I joined the team in July 2012. My previous experience includes working as an office manager, corporate meeting planner, and sales and marketing manager.

As business office manager, I am responsible for billing, census, HR duties, and assisting residents as needed. I’m known as an office Jack (Jill) of all trades and can fix the copier/telephone/TV, set up AV, make graphs, design spreadsheets, and so much more. I love to interact with the residents... I’ve met the most amazing people here at Westwood Ridge.

When I am not at Westwood Ridge, you can likely find me golfing or floating on the river. I have a wonderful husband, five kids, 11 grandkids, and two dogs. I also enjoy fundraising for the Walker Methodist Foundation.

I hold degrees from Minneapolis Community College and Metro State University.