PICS Employee Spotlight [Get to know Brooke Brown, Program Director]

At PICS (Partners in Community Supports), a subsidiary of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS), much of our work is behind the scenes. Our Employee Spotlight helps you learn more about our team. This month, get to know Brooke Brown, Program Director with PICS!

Q. Tell us a little bit about your career at PICS/LSS.

Brooke: I am currently a Program Director for PICS' self-directed services. I help oversee program operations, support our Service Coordinator team, and ensure that our services meet the needs of our participants and their families.

Before stepping into my current role, I was an Office Coordinator, Service Coordinator and Program Manager.

Q. Could you tell us what attracted you to PICS/LSS, and how your vision aligns with the organization’s?

Brooke: My own vision aligns closely with the mission of LSS/PICS. I believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to live a full and abundant life. Being part of a team that uplifts others while also encouraging personal and professional development is exactly the kind of environment I envisioned for myself.

The opportunity to contribute to work that supports independence is incredibly meaningful to me.

Q. What do you enjoy most about working at PICS? 

Brooke: I enjoy the team environment at PICS and how collaborative we are. I also enjoy hearing the success stories of our participants.

Q. PICS' Shared Values include being trustworthy, compassionate, knowledgeable, collaborative and responsive. How have you been able to implement your own personal values while working at PICS?

Brooke: Working at PICS has allowed me to live out these values in a way that feels authentic and impactful. It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of a team that shares a commitment to meaningful work that centers each individual.

Q. What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Brooke: I direct a dance studio and that is my passion to dance and share it with others. I also enjoy family time, spending time at our lake, and going for walks.

Q: What is your favorite line from a movie: 

Brooke: You are, and always have been, my dream. – The Notebook

Q. Where is your favorite place to be?

Brooke: With my kids on a beach somewhere. We have been to Florida multiple times and it has been great. I also love trying new food and embracing the uniqueness of the city!

Q. If you could learn a new skill, what would it be?

Brooke: I would love to learn another language. I studied Spanish and ASL in college, and I wish I would have become fluent.

Q. Do you have any pets?

Brooke: I absolutely love dogs. Currently, I have a Labradoodle (Bentley), a Chihuahua (Nellie), and a puppy Terrier mix (David). Yes... I know the name, and it was my daughter's choice.

Q. You're happiest when...

Brooke: When I am around my family and extended family. 

Also, when I watch the dancers I coach master a skill or compete at competition with confidence and pride. The emotion on their faces says it all!

Here is what some of Brooke’s colleagues have to say about her…

“What a pleasure it’s been working with Brooke over the past 15 years. Her depth of knowledge, experience, and steady presence have made such a meaningful impact — not just on our work at PICS but on the Service Coordinator team as a whole. Brooke brings so much insight and history into everything she does, and I’ve learned a lot from her over the years of experience with families in many different situations. It’s been an honor to be your colleague, Brooke! Thank you for everything you contribute!”

“Brooke’s commitment to the mission of LSS is reflected in all she does. She's incredibly approachable and always ready to help wherever needed. LSS and PICS simply wouldn’t be the same without her leadership, compassion and reliability.”

“Brooke is a great leader, and she contributes so much to PICS. She is always available to support her team. There is no task too big or too small that Brooke isn't willing to take on. She always leads by example and that is evident to anyone who works with her. There are many great qualities that Brooke has, but a few I would use to describe her would be: dedicated, reliable, kind, hard-working, honest and compassionate.”

“Brooke is an outstanding leader and mentor who has contributed to the success of this organization for over 15 years. She is compassionate, empathetic, dedicated to the team she manages and the whole of PICS. She is organized, thorough, fair and willing to do whatever is needed to support her team.”

“It has been an absolute joy learning from Brooke while at PICS. She approaches every situation with a ’listen first, ask later‘ attitude and does not make hasty assumptions, but instead learns all sides of the story before giving advice on how to proceed. She takes the time to gather all the information, all while keeping our families as her top priority.”

We are grateful to have you on PICS’ team, Brooke! Thank you for all you do!