Sue has a Master’s Degree in Human Performance and Exercise Physiology from Minnesota State University, Mankato where she studied the Human body under stress and reactions. She served as the Head Athletic Trainer for Indianola High School from 2005-2012 and left the field to start a family and spend time with her 2 daughters, Joviee and Phia. She has experience as the Executive Director of The Helping Hand of Warren County, Indianola School Board Member, Board Member of CTE-HOPE, former member of Governor’s Advisory Council for Brain Injuries, United Way of Central Iowa Agency Director’s Council and represents Warren County on several Task Forces throughout Central Iowa improving engagement in social challenges facing our communities.

Sue started at WeLIFT in the fall of 2022 with the energy and passion to continue to bring new services and partnerships to WeLIFT to better serve our clients and friends. She enjoys watching her husband and daughters play and coach the great game of soccer, loves the outdoors as well as the quiet night by a fire with a book. She is blessed every day with a community of friends and family that truly are the foundation of her heart.

Esther graduated from Cherokee High in May of 1963 and married Ron Snyder in July 1963. Esther and Ron have 3 adult children, Randy (Chris) in Grand Rapids, MI, Steve (Carol) in Indianola and Kim (Dana) in Shirley, Ar. We have 3 grandchildren and one great-grand daughter. We moved to Indianola in April 1966.

Since moving to Indianola, Esther has been involved in Newcomers Club, local and state Jaycee Ettes, local and state Business and Professional Women. Since 1974 been involved with the National Balloon Championship and the National Balloon Classic as a pilot and volunteer.

Esther has worked for Harrison’s, Woolco, Laverty Elevator and was the office manager for the Chevrolet dealership for 32 years (4 different owners). Esther joined the WeLIFT Staff as office manager in July 2013 and continues to be an incredible blessing for the entire

WeLIFT Organization. Esther has been an avid supporter of the Indianola High School sport teams and you can find her on Tuesday nights in the fall cheering on Volleyball and Basketball on those cold winter nights.

Roger Netsch is a long-time member of the Indianola Community. Having previously taught at Indianola High School for 33+ years, he brought his experience working with special needs and at-risk youth to WeLIFT after retiring from education in 2012.
 
From 2013 until 2022, Roger served as the Executive Director at WeLIFT Job Search Center. Upon resignation of the Executive Director, Roger now serves as WeLIFT’s Program Manager who runs and oversees the daily operations of the Let’s Get To Work Program.

He enjoys teaching taekwondo, having earned a 7th degree black belt and has a black belt in Kabuto, which is a Japanese martial art. He also enjoys gardening, cycling and traveling with his wife, Susan, and still lives in Indianola.

Mickie grew up in Washington, IA and got her English degree and teaching license at the University of Iowa. She started teaching near Cedar Rapids but moved to Indianola in 1984. Here is where she met her husband Stephe in a Carousel Community Theater play and the rest is theater history.

Molly joined the family and the unit was complete. Mickie taught 8th-grade language arts for 37 years. The family has been a part of Indianola theater for 49 years. Mickie and Stephe were a part of the band GTO (Good Time Oldies) for 13 years. Now she is retired, enjoys reading, Netflix, and the occasional role for an “old lady”. She has found WeLIFT to be just what she needs to continue to “connect” with her community.

WeLIFT clients always receive a bright smile and a cheery welcome from Micki as their Career Planner.

Melissa Gradischnig is our newest staff member at We LIFT as a Community Navigator,
Melissa is funded through a grant from United Way.

Melissa has over 35 years working in the Des Moines Urban Core neighborhoods, the
prisons on reentry and working with Legislators and Policy Makers to address issues
and set goals to better the community. Melissa also has her own Non-Profit, Voices to
be Heard, which is a support group for families with a loved one incarcerated.

Melissa and her husband John have lived in Indianola 6 years, Melissa enjoys spending
time with her 2 grown sons, 5 grandchildren, going to concerts and volunteering.

A complete blessing to WeLIFT Job Search Center! She is our DMACC Instructor for our HiSET Program.

Contact us for information on how to enroll and get your HiSET Dipolma! 

Fun day at a career fair at the Polk County River Place.

I am a Masters level intern going for Social Work at the Catholic University of America, to become a marriage and family therapist. I have a BA in Psychology. I am a husband and father of four. I have lived in Indianola since 2009. I practice a martial art called iaido. It is a Japanese sword art that concentrates on forms. I am an avid reader and love to read about Japan and its history. 

On October 8th, 2025 WeLIFT Executive Director - Sue Wilson had the opportunity to speak at the "Getting Out and Staying Out" State-wide Prison Reentry Meeting. She was joined by Community Navigator, Melissa, Resident/friend Katherine, Simpson College Intern Haley.

WeLIFT is certainly counting their blessings this year as we have 2 incredible interns.

We believe it is our job to fully engage our interns in our everyday routines, procedures and hands on experience to fully understand the holistic approach to serving our community through our mission. We have the honor of having Haley with us through December and Nate through May 2026. 

 I am a senior at Simpson College, double-majoring in Human Services and Criminal Justice. I am interning with WeLIFT and enjoy working at WeLIFT because I get to work directly with clients from diverse backgrounds. It provides me with valuable experience and exposure to the challenges of the Human Services field, while also demonstrating the rewarding nature of a career in this field. WeLIFT is a great environment, and I have been embraced with open arms. I encourage anyone who needs help to come to WeLIFT, and all of us, including possibly even me, will be able to assist.