About Us
MEET US
Katie Pylkas-Blue, MSN CARN, Treatment Director, Owner
Katie is a Certified Addiction Registered Nurse with over 20 years of experience as a nurse helping those who suffer addiction and other chronic disorders. She has also been educated as a recovery coach through the Minnesota Recovery Connection. Katie is a board member of several recovery non-profits to support the Recovery Oriented System of Care in Scott and Dakota counties. She is a Past President of the Minnesota Chapter of the International Nurses Society on Addictions and continues her involvement in the Minnesota Chapter to date. Katie is a graduate of Gonzaga University where she received her Masters of Nursing with an emphasis in Health Systems Leadership. She is a coach and mentor to many staff members and relies heavily on servant leadership to empower each member of the organization to continue to give generously her of spirit of hope through each employee.
Marcus Blue, CADC
Marcus Blue, CADC is Sage Prairie Operation’s Director. Marcus attended Capella University and received his training through the Upper Midwest Indian Council on Addictive Disorders to serve as an addiction counselor. He is also a recovery coach who received his training at the Minnesota Recovery Connection. As a member of the Turtle Mountain Chippewa Reservation in North Dakota, he brings over 28 years of recovery to Sage Prairie. Marcus also serves on several committees and boards to support recovery in the south metro.
Lindsey Mahnesmith, LADC
Lindsey Mahnesmith’s passion has always been to help people. Her original career path was nursing, but that changed as she recognized a long history of addiction in her family and the result of a good high school classmate who overdosed. It was after the death of her classmate and another family member that she knew there was nothing more that she wanted to do then help people struggling with addiction. Lindsey realized that if these people had nobody else in the world, at such a troubling spot in their lives, they could rely on the people in this field who care and will do anything to help them. She received her Associate’s Degree in Addiction Counseling from Minneapolis Community and Technical College and her Bachelor’s degree at Metropolitan State University in Addiction Counseling. Lindsey is extremely satisfied with the career choice she has made and will continue to do whatever she can to help people struggling with addiction and erase the stigma.
Amber Marko, LADC, Treatment Supervisor
Amber received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. Prior to joining Sage Prairie as a LADC Supervisor, Amber worked at Park Avenue Center as a Clinical Supervisor in the Women’s Program and metro-area ISD 622 as a Chemical Health Counselor. She has experience in educating youth and communities on various topics involving chemical health. She is passionate about meeting clients where they are at, keeping a positive attitude, and getting people the help they need. In her free time, she enjoys playing soccer and traveling with her family. Amber’s motto is “work hard, play hard”.
Gary Howard, LADC
Gary has a bachelor’s degree in psychology specializing in addiction, crisis counseling, and Christian counseling. He is currently working on his master’s degree in addiction and mental health. For Gary, there is nothing more rewarding in life than witnessing someone break free from the bondage of addiction. For him, watching an individual grow in recovery and achieve their goals is truly a miracle like no other. His passion in life is to help others and assist them in unlocking their true potential. Gary sincerely believes that no matter how far down the scale you’ve fallen there is always hope. In his free time, he enjoys sitting on the beach and fishing.
Paul Gleich, LADC
Cassie Ehly, LADC
Matthew Huberty, LADC
Matthew joined the team at Sage Prairie after completing his internship there and graduation from the Addiction Counseling program at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. He is a person in long-term recovery and is an active member in AA.
Ashlee Herget
Ashlee comes to Sage Prairie after completing the Addiction Counseling Program at Minneapolis College. She has worked in the Substance Use Disorder field for 4 years and her background experience includes working with withdrawal management, recovery community organizations and housing first harm reduction facilities.
Robin Zimmerman, LADC
My name is Robin Zimmermann I am a LADC at Sage Prairie. My passion is helping others find and maintain their recovery path. I believe knowledge is power and that all people are important. When I am not at work I enjoy riding motorcycles, camping, traveling, reading, listening to music and getting tattoos.
Brooke Menard, CPRS
I began working in the recovery services field in 2020 as a person in recovery herself who wanted to help others. I knew quickly this was the career I wanted because I have personal experience with addiction and am working with people like myself to better their lives. I completed the CPRS course at Bold North recovery to further my education and have a better way of how to help others. I love helping others find their purpose after facing the hardship of addiction.
Diane Nordstrom
Diane comes to Sage Prairie with over 15 years of administrative experience with an emphasis in customer service and communication. As Treatment Coordinator, Diane works closely with all the substance use disorder staff to coordinate and facilitate daily tasks such as new client intakes, clinical charting and managing phones. She finds it rewarding to be a part of a recovery program helping individuals struggling with addiction. Diane is a graduate of the University of Minnesota with a degree in Marketing Communications.
Steve Becker MBA, CPRS
Current Treatment Coordinator at Sage Prairie Treatment Center in Burnsville with determination in supporting those with substance use disorders in safe, empathetic space. In supporting success of Recovery meeting for Alumni/Current/Friends of Sage Prairie as an adding additional support in a person’s recovery success in 2020 and continue as a volunteer facilitator of this meeting Friday evening. With my passion for diversity, inclusion & equity I have made community contribution in local and nationwide LGBTQIA+ engagement in nonprofit engagement activities in several diverse populations continue seek opportunities to support.
Junior
Junior is the Master of Maintenance at Sage Prairie and is responsible for anything that needs to be fixed, built, shoveled, plowed, etc. He makes sure Sage Prairie is ready to go!
Kenny
Kenny brings smiles to patients and staff wherever he wanders. He’s always willing to accept a hot dog or whatever else you might have to offer. He’s not too picky : )
