Meet Nadia Kellner

Nadia Kellner, Rise’s Champion of the Month for July 2025, has quickly become a vital member of the NE Minneapolis team in her role as an employment consultant. For the past year and a half, Nadia has dedicated herself to supporting people as they pursue their employment goals, building trust through her compassion, adaptability, and commitment to her role. 

Before joining Rise, Nadia was pursuing her Master of Fine Arts in sculpture and ceramics while also teaching yoga to groups of all ages. That experience not only sharpened her creativity but also deepened her ability to connect with people in meaningful ways. “I appreciate being a part of Rise because of its supportive community and positive impact on the daily lives of people,” Nadia shared. “I also value the variety of programs available to support adults with disabilities in employment and life enrichment.” 

Nadia’s Impact 

As an Employment Consultant, Nadia finds joy in her daily meetings with the people she supports, taking pride in helping them achieve their career goals. 

Nadia’s program manager, Jenn Johnson, described her as someone whose drive to support others is unmatched. “She has executed every strategic idea I have come up with to secure funding for our programs. The way she adapts to the new direction of the week is inspiring.” 

Nadia’s adaptability has been especially evident during staffing shortages, when Nadia has consistently stepped up to keep services running smoothly. Jenn shared, “This past month, she held a caseload five people over capacity to ensure everyone continued receiving support. She even worked late nights to meet with people who have full-time jobs and needed to meet outside of traditional hours.” 

Beyond her work ethic, Nadia is known for her compassion and ability to see others’ perspectives. Jenn shared, “Nadia recognizes others so often, I see her missing herself in the processing of a situation. She is quick to seek understanding of others’ worldviews and reflect on her own impact in conflicts, always finding a way to respectfully support people where they are at.” 

Nadia’s director, Robert Reedy, agreed, sharing, “Nadia is very deserving of this recognition.” 

Nadia Outside of Rise 

Outside of Rise, Nadia enjoys learning about yoga therapy and bodywork. She has also recently taken up weekly lap swimming as a low-impact way to stay active. 

Thank you, Nadia, for your adaptability, compassion, and dedication to your role. Your impact at Rise NE Minneapolis is inspiring, and we are grateful for everything you do.