Maggie Ness, LBSW
Maggie leads our mission as the Executive Director. Maggie joined MCRRV in 2024 after serving as the Sr. Program Manager for the Alzheimer’s Association MN-ND Chapter for five years. Her passion for serving those impacted by dementia began after she was personally affected by the diagnosis of her God-Mother and “Bonus Grandmother,” Alida. It was through this experience watching her parents navigate the changes Alida experienced and helping her live well with the diagnosis that Maggie realized more needed to be done to support individuals and families facing cognitive changes.
Maggie holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from Concordia College in Moorhead and brings over a decade of experience in the field, including the Alzheimer’s Association and roles in both long-term and acute medical social work. As a social worker, Maggie has witnessed the profound positive impact that occurs when individuals affected by dementia become part of a supportive community. Through shared experiences, mutual understanding, and collective learning, these connections empower individuals and families to navigate the dementia journey with greater resilience and hope. Maggie believes strongly that we are truly better together.
Outside of work, Maggie is usually chasing after her two lively boys, attending local sporting events, or sneaking in some retail therapy with a coffee firmly in hand.
“We rise by lifting others.” – Robert G. Ingersoll
About Memory Cafe
Memory Café of the Red River Valley was founded by Deb Kaul and Beth Ustanko in 2017; it is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. As caregivers for their parents, Deb and Beth recognized the dire needs of families living with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia. Those needs include, but are not limited to: quality dementia education and ongoing caregiver support, new friendships that are sustained throughout the course of the disease, meaningful community engagement/service opportunities, and frequent occasions to laugh and have fun in a safe, warm, welcoming environment with others who are traveling a similar journey. Memory Cafe is passionate about improving the quality of life for individuals living with memory loss and their loved ones while inspiring in them a sense of hope, joy and empowerment.
Vision
Changing the way we think about and support memory loss
Values
Flourishing – Thriving with hope, joy, and beauty
Trust – Building respectful relationships
Belonging – Feeling welcomed, understood, and needed by others
Possibilities – Doing more than you thought you could
People who are forgetting should not be forgotten.