Leadership

Dr. Mary Van Haneghan - PRESIDENT & CEO

Dr. Mary Van Haneghan brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit sector, dedicating her career to expanding opportunities and advancing the rights of individuals with disabilities, veterans, and others facing barriers to independence.

Her career began in 1999 as a Direct Service Professional in an intermediate care facility for individuals with profound disabilities. That frontline experience gave her firsthand insight into the systemic barriers that can prevent true inclusion and sparked the passion that continues to guide her work today — ensuring every person has the opportunity to thrive in their community.

Motivated to drive broader change, Dr. Van Haneghan advanced into leadership roles at the local, state, and national levels with organizations such as The Arc and Easterseals. Over the past two decades, she has led initiatives in early intervention, workforce development, and the transition from youth to adulthood, as well as overseeing extensive donated goods and retail operations in multiple nonprofit organizations across the United States.

Dr. Van Haneghan holds degrees in business management and nonprofit leadership, along with a doctorate in education. Her academic research has focused on intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), examining historical institutional models and the impact of post-secondary education on individuals with I/DD.

Jennifer Friesen - Chief Operating Officer

Jennifer Friesen is a strategic nonprofit executive with a long-standing commitment to expanding access to high-quality, evidence-based services for underserved communities. A mission-driven and data-informed leader, she is known for aligning strategy, operations, and resources to deliver measurable outcomes while cultivating collaborative, high-performing teams.

Jennifer began her career with Easterseals more than 25 years ago as a speech-language pathologist and has since served in progressive leadership roles, including Clinical Director, Vice President of Therapeutic and Autism Services, Vice President of Programs and Operations, and Chief Operating Officer. Throughout her tenure, she has championed inclusive, community-centered approaches and built strong partnerships that enhance service delivery and organizational impact.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from The University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Science in Communication Disorders from The University of Texas at Dallas.

Lukas Barbuscak - CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Lukas is a finance and operations leader with extensive experience helping complex, multi-entity organizations translate strategy into measurable results. His past experience has included overseeing Financial Planning & Analysis and enterprise optimization across a $400M+ portfolio spanning more than 100 locations in the United States and Canada, and working closely with executive teams and boards to strengthen performance, accountability, and long-term sustainability.

Known for building scalable systems and fostering strong financial discipline, Lukas specializes in turning complex data into clear insights that inform strategic decision-making. He has led enterprise assessments, designed operational and reporting frameworks, modernized forecasting and payroll models, and supported mergers and acquisitions through due diligence and integration. He has also helped organizations identify and recover significant unrealized revenue, particularly in nonprofit and retail environments.

Lukas holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and International Business from Augsburg University and a master’s degree in Economics from the University of Ottawa. He is currently completing his CPA.

Haley Nelson - VICE PRESIDENT OF PROGRAMS

Haley Nelson is a licensed social worker in North Dakota with a Bachelor of Social Work from Minnesota State University Moorhead. Early in her career, Haley gained hands-on experience as a Direct Support Professional, sparking her commitment to the developmental disability field.

Since joining ESGWND in 2014, Haley has advanced from Program Coordinator to Senior Program Coordinator, where she supervised staff and led initiatives to ensure service quality and regulatory compliance.

As Director of Day and Vocational Services since 2024, Haley oversees statewide programs, driving growth and innovation while maintaining excellence in compliance and accreditation. Haley is passionate about expanding access to services for people with disabilities and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive, supportive environment.

Morgan Foster - REGIONAL Director Of PROGRAMs

Morgan Foster brings a strong commitment to person-centered support and over a decade of leadership experience to her role as Regional Director of Programs at Easterseals Goodwill ND, Inc. She first joined ESGWND in 2014 as Program Coordinator for Region VI, returned in 2019 after completing her education, advanced to Senior Program Coordinator in 2020, Director of Residential Services in 2024, and stepped into her current position in 2026.

Morgan oversees regional residential offices statewide, directly supervising Program and Residential Coordinators. She ensures that services align with organizational values, meet accreditation standards, and continuously improve. Her work includes staff development, close collaboration with partner agencies, and stewardship of the organization’s Person-Centered Excellence accreditation.

Her career reflects deep roots in public health and community-based care. After earning her bachelor’s degree in Biology and Chemistry-Health Sciences, she spent four years working in chemistry labs before completing a public health project with Central Valley Health District. She later gained hands-on experience as a Direct Support Professional and Home Manager, grounding her leadership in frontline understanding.

Morgan holds a Master of Public Health and a Ph.D. in Public Health from Walden University.

Jodi Hodney - HEAD OF RETAIL

Jodi Hodny brings more than a decade of leadership experience across multiple industries to her role as Co-Director of Retail Stores for Easterseals Goodwill North Dakota. Since joining the organization in 2011, she has grown into a statewide leadership role where she helps guide store performance, staffing, training, customer experience, and operational efficiency. Jodi is dedicated to ensuring each store supports both the mission and financial sustainability of the organization while fostering a positive and mission-driven retail culture.

Jodi’s career reflects a uniquely diverse professional path that strengthens her leadership approach. Early in her career, she served as an Assistant Buyer for a major grocery company in New York, managing vendor relationships, product selection, and inventory decisions. She later spent three years in a California dental office, gaining experience in billing, scheduling, and administrative coordination. Her background also includes three years in Human Resources with Kaiser Permanente in Hawaii, where she developed expertise in employee relations, hiring, and training. In addition, she managed a group home for two years, ensuring regulatory compliance and supporting staff and residents.

While Jodi did not pursue formal higher education, her career has been shaped by hands-on experience, continuous learning, and a deep commitment to personal and professional growth. She is known for her strong work ethic, compassion, and dedication to serving both the organization and communities across North Dakota.