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Nexus Leadership:
Combined Excellence and Expertise

Executive Leadership

Dr. Michelle K. Murray, President, CEO

Dr. Michelle K. Murray joined Nexus in 2010 as the Director of Clinical Services and was subsequently promoted to Vice President of Clinical Services and Chief Clinical Officer. During this time, she also served as Nexus’ Interim CEO. Dr. Murray leads the organization with a strong background in clinical and executive leadership.

Jennifer McIntosh, Chief Human Resources Officer

Jennifer McIntosh joined Nexus in 2012 as the Director of Human Resources, and currently serves as Chief Human Resources Officer. McIntosh is responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring the effectiveness of Nexus Human Resources policies and procedures throughout the organization while also ensuring Nexus’ compliance with federal, state, and licensing compliance areas relating to employment law.

Paula Minske, Vice President of Clinical Services

Minske works closely with all Nexus site Clinical Directors to offer support and services through training and consulting and to maintain clinical excellence by meeting quality assurance standards. Minske also oversees the Nexus Glen Lake program, the CTSS program, and Mille Lacs Academy clinical programming to achieve youth and family outcomes set by the organization.

Executive Directors

Mary Ann Berg

Indian Oaks Academy

Mary Ann Berg served in various leadership positions at Indian Oaks Academy, including Clinical Supervisor, Clinical Director, Program Manager at Chrysalis, and Associate Director, before being named Executive Director in 2017. She has also been a strong advocate for LGBTQ programming on campus and in the surrounding community.

Jason Donahue

Mille Lacs Academy

Jason Donahue joined Mille Lacs Academy in June 2011 as Associate Director, and, in February 2015, was promoted to Executive Director. Prior to joining Nexus, Donahue worked in direct care, leadership, management, and consultation in behavioral health settings across several states, including Iowa, Missouri, Texas, Alabama, and Tennessee.

George Hendrickson

Kindred Family Focus

George Hendrickson was the CEO of Kindred Family Services when it merged with Nexus in 2012. In January 2014, Kindred Family Services and Family Focus, Inc., merged to become Kindred Family Focus, and Hendrickson was named Executive Director of the new entity. He has worked in social services since 1974 in multiple positions, including Unit Supervisor, Social Worker, Area Director, Regional Director, and Executive Director.

Nancy McKenzie

PATH North Dakota

Nancy McKenzie is an experienced provider in treatment foster care, family support, and other behavioral health services for children and families. As Executive Director of PATH ND, she leads program design and implementation, staff supervision, strategic planning, policy development, legislative activities, program accreditation, and budgeting.

Dennis Wiley

Onarga Academy

Dennis Wiley began working at Onarga Academy in 1993 as a Clinical Supervisor. In 1995, he was promoted to Clinical Director and then Acting Executive Director; in 1996, he was promoted to Executive Director. Prior to joining Onarga Academy, he worked with both adults and adolescents as a mental health specialist, family therapist, and program manager.

Elizabeth Williams

Nexus Glen Lake

Elizabeth Williams worked in mental health for 11 years, serving in various levels of care, including shelter care, group home, inpatient psychiatric units, in-home care, day treatment, residential programs, and private practice before joining Nexus Glen Lake as the Clinical Director in August 2017. She was promoted to Associate Director of the site in April 2018.

Anthony Wilson

Woodbourne Center

Anthony Wilson joined Woodbourne Center in 2014 as Interim Executive Director of the facility’s residential treatment and treatment foster care, and was named Executive Director in 2015. Prior to joining Woodbourne, Wilson served as CEO of Rock River Academy and Residential Center in Rockford, IL, and worked at Indian Oaks Academy in Manteno, IL, as a Clinical Supervisor and Clinical Director from 2009-2013.

Karen Wolf

Gerard Academy

Karen Wolf has been with Gerard Academy for 18 years, serving as a a counselor, therapist, clinical supervisor, and clinical director. As Executive Director, she ensures the fiscal responsibility of the site, facilitates a culture that promotes growth, and maintains the high-quality services that are delivered to youth and their families.

Directors

Nancy Baldrica

Director of Marketing and Communications

Baldrica is responsible for planning, development, and implementation of the organization’s marketing strategies, marketing communications, media, and public relations activities, both external and internal.

Alyssa Carlson

Director of Human Resources

Carlson provides direction and consultation to site and corporate Human Resources staff on a wide variety of HR disciplines ensuring consistency and compliance with internal policies and practices as well as external regulatory agencies.

Joelene Evenson

Director of Development MN

Evenson sources, develops, and manages a portfolio of donors, donor prospects, and cause-related fundraising opportunities, and develops and manages fundraising events and grant opportunities for all Nexus Minnesota business units.

Jeff Hansen

Director of Business and Government Relations

Hansen develops and maintains policies and programs to ensure that the organization’s interests are represented and protected in legislative proceedings and in the development of market rules and procedures.

Bill Kerzman

Director of Community Based Services

Kerzman supports Nexus community-based clinical and program needs and training, monitors adherence to state licensing regulations and Council on Accreditation’s standards, and coordinates and assists in the design of continuous quality improvement activities related to community-based programming. He also oversees the use of Nexus electronic health records.

Kent Kogler

Director of Information Technology

Kogler provides information technology leadership for the organization by leading research, planning/development, and implementation of Nexus’ IT goals and initiatives and activities.