WeLIFT Team Members

Making a Difference

Sue Wilson

Executive Director

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 Snyder

Office Manager

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

Let's Get 2 Work Program Director

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 Larse

Career Planner

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.