When Brenda Geldert retires on June 26, she will leave behind much more than a title or a career. She leaves a legacy of leadership, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to ensuring people with disabilities have opportunities to live, work, and belong in their communities.
Brenda's journey began long before she became Executive Director of Options. After working in group homes early in her career, she joined Options in 1996 as a Direct Support Professional. From there, she became the Community Employment Coordinator before ultimately serving as Executive Director. Her leadership was built from firsthand experience and a deep understanding of the everyday realities faced by individuals with disabilities, their families, and the staff who support them.
Throughout nearly three decades at Options, Brenda remained committed to one principle: people come first. Her open-door leadership style created a culture where staff, families, individuals served, and community partners knew they would be heard. Whether discussing a challenge with a DSP, collaborating with county officials, or advocating before legislators, Brenda led with honesty, compassion, and integrity.
Her vision extended far beyond traditional services. Recognizing the importance of meaningful employment and community inclusion, Brenda championed innovative ventures such as Blackbird Coffee and, more recently, Blackbird Laundry. These businesses were created not to expand opportunities for individuals with disabilities to gain valuable work experience, develop skills, and become visible, contributing members of their communities.
Brenda also understood that strong services require strong relationships. Over the years, she cultivated partnerships with city and county officials, legislators, businesses, and community leaders, ensuring that the voices of individuals with disabilities were represented wherever important decisions were being made.
She was never afraid to speak when others remained silent. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Brenda became a fierce advocate for providers and the people they support, helping elevate concerns during an uncertain time. More recently, amid the challenges surrounding provider revalidation, she once again stepped forward to advocate for the individuals, families, and staff whose lives and livelihoods depend on these essential services. Her courage to speak up—even when it was difficult—earned the respect of colleagues and peers across Minnesota.
While Brenda did not point to one mentor who shaped her career, she became a mentor to countless others. Many leaders, managers, and professionals working in disability services today have benefited from her guidance, encouragement, and belief in their potential. Her greatest investment was always in people, helping others grow into leaders who would continue the work long after her own retirement.
Reflecting on her career, Brenda shared:
"One of the greatest gifts of my time at Options has been the unique, ever-changing day-to-day work. No two days were ever the same, and I truly learned something new every single day—from the individuals we support, from families, from staff, and from our community partners."
She added:
"The integrity of Options—its commitment to doing what is right, even when it is hard—has always been something I deeply admired and valued. Along the way, I have gained not only professional collaborators, but lifelong friends, and for that I am truly grateful."
Those words capture the values that have defined Brenda's career. She consistently placed the needs of Options and the people it serves ahead of her own, choosing what was right over what was easy and focusing on the long-term strength of the organization rather than personal recognition.
As Brenda steps into retirement, she does so with gratitude and confidence in the future. Although her daily presence will be missed, her impact will continue to be felt through the countless lives she has touched, the leaders she has mentored, the opportunities she has created, and the culture of integrity she helped build.
For thirty years, Brenda Geldert has been more than an Executive Director. She has been a mentor, a visionary, a champion, and a fierce advocate. Her legacy will continue to inspire all of us who are privileged to carry the work forward. Thank you, Brenda, for thirty years of service and for showing us what leadership with courage, compassion, and conviction truly looks like.
