Jodi Blume and Kassia Janezich are appointed to new strategic positions.

Kassia Janezich (pictured left) and Jodi Blume (pictured right) recently took on new roles.

Rise President Tim Dickie is pleased to announce two new leadership appointments at the Fridley-based disability services nonprofit. Jodi Blume has been promoted to Vice President of Life Enrichment and Community Integration, and Kassia Janezich has been hired as Vice President of Vocational and Housing Services. Both positions will lead the strategy and ongoing development of programs that provide community, life enrichment, and employment services—core components of Rise’s mission to support people in living their best lives.

In her new role, Jodi Blume oversees 12 life enrichment programs across the Twin Cities metro area and in New Richmond, Wisconsin. She joined Rise in 2016 and most recently served as Senior Director of Life Enrichment Programs. A long-time advocate for people, Blume previously supported victims of domestic abuse and also gained experience in medical social work. Her passion for community-focused care led her to roles first as a residential program manager for people with disabilities and later as a foster care and adoption supervisor. Blume holds a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Wisconsin–Superior. She is a certified trauma-informed care trainer in both Michigan and Minnesota and is a graduate of the ANCOR Foundation Leadership Academy.

“What makes Rise special is its deep commitment to person-centered programming—especially through Life Enrichment, which focuses on the unique goals and dreams of each person we support,” said Blume. “As our programs grow, I’m excited about the chance to lift up voices that need to be heard, support a team that genuinely cares, and continue making a meaningful difference in people’s lives.”

Kassia Janezich brings more than a decade of nonprofit leadership experience in the Twin Cities to Rise. In her new role, she will lead Rise’s community employment programs, which supported more than 1,700 people last year. Janezich joins Rise from Tasks Unlimited, where she served as Director of Strategic and Operational Initiatives. In that role, she expanded programs, increased funding, and strengthened community partnerships to enhance services for the people they support. She holds a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Hamline University. Janezich is also active in the Minnesota Organization for Habilitation and Rehabilitation (MOHR), where she recently chaired the Extended Employment Committee.

“Rise has long been a community leader in driving innovation, ensuring service quality, and creating belonging for people supported here, and I am thrilled to join the team,” said Janezich. “I’ve been privileged to work alongside many amazing people throughout my career and have seen the impact of our work. Stories of perseverance, joy, and belonging continue to remind me that the impossible is possible—and I look forward to continuing that work to create positive change in our communities.”

Blume began her new role at the start of 2025, and Janezich joined Rise in mid-March. These newly defined leadership positions will provide increased support to Rise’s program teams while allowing for more individualized attention across services.