fbpx Healing the Past. Breaking the Cycle. Changing the Future.

At Nexus Family Healing, we believe every child is worth it — and every family matters. And we know that each time we help someone change the course of their life, we create the potential for healthier families, stronger communities, and a better world.

It’s why we’re here, it’s why you can trust us, and it’s why for over 50 years, we have been committed to helping even the most challenging situations.
 

Our services

Changing One Life Changes Everything.
With our innovative,  customized approach, we provide outpatient therapy, residential treatment, and foster care to help children, families and individuals struggling with emotional and behavioral health issues.

Our mission

Changing the course of a child’s life by stabilizing families and strengthening mental health.

Our vision

Healing the past. Breaking the cycle. Changing the future.

Our values

  • Innovation
  • Compassion
  • Agility
  • Responsiveness
  • Excellence

And, we execute on these values with synergy and grit.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Diversity

Our history

Over the last 50 years, Nexus has helped thousands of children, families and individuals find individualized paths to emotional, mental and behavioral health. What began in 1972 as a single program  in Minnetonka, Minnesota, has grown into a network of nine agencies in four states. We are nationally recognized as a progressive leader in youth and family healing, and we’re more committed than ever to continue this work.

Today, Nexus is a nonprofit, 501(C)(3) organization, headquartered in Plymouth, Minnesota, serving thousands of youth and families each year. We provide community-based mental health services, foster care and adoption services, and residential treatment programs across four states.

We create a customized plan for each child, family, and individual—and provide the exact combination of support services needed to put that plan into action. Our innovative personalized approach helps heal trauma, break cycles of harm, and restore hope to families when all seems lost. 

Take a look at our history.
 

Our Locations

Nexus Family Healing services are located in Illinois, Minnesota, Maryland and North Dakota.

Leadership and Board

Executive Leadership

Dr Michelle K. Murray

Dr. Michelle K. Murray

CEO and President
My Why:
“Because families deserve to be understood and not judged.”
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Bobbi Kochevar

Bobbi Kochevar

Chief Operating Officer
My Why:
“Because I’m committed to helping the most vulnerable precious resource we have: Our children are our future.”
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Scott McGuire

Scott McGuire

Chief Financial Officer
My Why:
“Because there’s nothing more rewarding than positively impacting a child’s life.”
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Jennifer McIntosh

Jennifer McIntosh

Chief Human Resources Officer
My Why:
“I know the work we’re doing is healing families and saving lives. No matter what role you’re in here, you’re contributing to a powerful mission.”
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Paula Minske

Paula Minske

Vice President of Clinical Services
My Why:
“Because I truly believe—because I have witnessed it over and over again—that changing one life, changes everything”
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Margaret Vimont

Margaret Vimont

Vice President of Growth and Community Services
My Why:
“Because Nexus is a place that knows how to use the power of human connection to heal.”
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Board

Dr. Michelle K. Murray

Dr. Michelle K. Murray

Nexus CEO and President
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Marcia Ballinger, PhD, SPHR

Marcia Ballinger, PhD, SPHR

Board Member
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Linda Barnhart

Linda Barnhart

Chair of Program Committee
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Lisa Bjergaard

Lisa Bjergaard

Board Vice Chairperson
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Patrick O. Devine

Board Member
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Heidi Freisinger

Heidi Freisinger

Board Member
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Booker Hodges

Booker Hodges

Board Member
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Kevin Wayne Johnson

Kevin Wayne Johnson

Chair of Governance Committee
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Cynthia Lesher

Cynthia Lesher

Board Member
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Scott Lynch

Scott Lynch

Board Secretary
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Scott McGuire

Scott McGuire

Board Treasurer
Mette McLoughlin

Mette McLoughlin

Board Member
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Jeri Quest

Jeri Quest

Board Chairperson, Chair of Executive Committee
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Foundation Board

Dr. Michelle K. Murray

Dr. Michelle K. Murray

Nexus President and CEO
Joelene Evenson

Joelene Evenson

Foundation Board Member
Perry Bacon

Perry Bacon

Foundation Board Member
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Cynthia Lesher

Cynthia Lesher

Foundation Board Member
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Eric Mercer headshot

Eric Mercer

Secretary
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Jeanne Sheehan

Jeanne Sheehan

Foundation Chair
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Executive Directors

Shannon Amundson

Shannon Amundson

Executive Director - Nexus-Mille Lacs Family Healing and Nexus-East Bethel Family Healing
My Why:
"I want to be part of an organization that recognizes the trauma children and families have gone through and that values hope and healing."
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Kate Coughlin

Kate Coughlin

Executive Director - Nexus-PATH Family Healing
My Why:
"Because by positively impacting a child’s life or the life of a family, you are changing the future for generations to come."
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Kyle Dolmage, LPC

Kyle Dolmage, LPC

Executive Director - Nexus Family Healing - Walden Crossing
My Why:
“Because I believe in resiliency, which starts with a foundation of a safe, consistent, supportive community that understands the impacts of trauma and is ready to accept and support our youth unconditionally. Then, we can promote healing, growth, and become stronger together.”
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Bryon Fracchia

Bryon Fracchia

Executive Director - Nexus-Woodbourne Family Healing
My Why:
"Because the resilience and grit of our youth inspires me everyday to join them in a community of growth and healing."
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Jamie Kozma, MSEd, LCPC, LSOTP, LSOE

Jamie Kozma, MSEd, LCPC, LSOTP, LSOE

Executive Director - Nexus-Onarga Family Healing
My Why:
“Because I believe in the potential of every child, and their ability to heal and grow after trauma.”
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Nicole Mucheck

Nicole Mucheck

Executive Director of Foster, Adopt & Community Services
My Why:
“To work toward ending the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness in my community by offering children and their families a supportive environment to connect, heal, and grow.”
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Karen Wolf

Karen Wolf

Executive Director - Nexus-Gerard Family Healing
My Why:
“My desire in life is to make an impact, and it’s rewarding to see the growth and gain in confidence of the youth and families as they heal.”
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Directors

Jason Dunning

Jason Dunning

Director of Financial Planning & Analysis
My Why:
“For the privilege of being a part of an organization that’s positively impacting the lives of the future generation daily”
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Joelene Evenson

Joelene Evenson

Vice President of Philanthropy
My Why:
"Children are hurting. I want them to be safe, heal and have hope for the future."
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Ra Shone Franklin

Ra Shone Franklin

Vice President of Learning & Culture
My Why:
“I get a tremendous feeling when I’m helping others, and enjoy being useful and needed. Being in a position to help children in need is the most rewarding thing anyone could ever do. As I work with troubled youth who really need me, I know the help I’m giving them is life-changing. And I’m only one piece of the puzzle doing that here.”
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Joy Knutson

Joy Knutson

Director of Human Resources
My Why:
"Because supporting those that have a direct and positive impact on children’s lives is so rewarding – the work here truly has meaning and value. I love being part of an organization that gives healing and hope to youth and families where there often has been none."
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Rebecca Krekelberg

Rebecca Krekelberg

Director of Talent Acquistion
My Why:
"Nexus provides a safe place to get the help and hope that so many families need today. There is nothing more rewarding than being a part of an organization that changes someone's life for the better every single day. I want to be somewhere that my work has real meaning and purpose – this is that place."
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Kelly Krueger

Kelly Krueger

Director of Clinical Services - Community-Based
My Why:
"I have a passion for providing quality services to clients and families. Everyone deserves a chance and Nexus has broad range of services to help and impact others and communities."
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Anita Larson

Anita Larson

Vice President of Quality & Evaluation
My Why:
“Because I believe that pairing our programs and staff expertise with robust continuous improvement and evaluation practices will help us make an even greater positive collective impact on the lives of our children and families.”
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Dale Lozo, CISSP, ITIL-F, CIAM, CIGE

Dale Lozo, CISSP, ITIL-F, CIAM, CIGE

Chief Information Officer
My Why:
"Working at Nexus Family Healing is centered on the Mission-Driven Work. I am compelled by Nexus' mission to heal trauma, break cycles of harm, reshape futures, and create a positive impact."
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Tanya Rene

Tanya Rene

Director of Human Resources
My Why:
"Because it is a privilege for me to support our team across the organization who devote themselves in helping the lives of children and families experiencing trauma, to feel hopeful, find peace and become restored once again."
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Stacey Carlson

Stacey Trushenski-Carlson

Director of Training and Talent Development
My Why:
"To give youth and families hope for a happier, healthier, and better tomorrow—especially when that hope may have been lost."
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Jen Van Zandt

Jen Van Zandt

Vice President of Marketing & Strategy
My Why:
“Because children in need deserve a brighter future, and this organization is determined to see that happen.”
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Dr. Ken Varble

Dr. Ken Varble

Controller
My Why:
“As a father of four I invest in the power of strong communities for all children.”
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Elizabeth Williams

Liz Williams

Director of Clinical Services
My Why:
“I believe that in the course of a single generation, one person, who chooses to heal, can filter out the destructiveness, so that future generations will have a supportive foundation on which to build healthy and whole lives.”
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Publications and Financial Statements

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