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— About Us —
Our Leadership

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Connect and Strengthen Community

Leadership With Heart

The impact we make at Helping Hand is a direct result of the people who guide it. Our board and executive team bring professional excellence, deep community ties, and one shared belief: that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserve to be equally valued in every community.

Meet the leaders making that real — and learn how you might join them.

Explore Board Service
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From our board chair

“There has never been a more exciting time to be part of Helping Hand.”

I have had the privilege of serving on the Helping Hand Board in a number of leadership roles, including now, as Chairperson. I continue to be inspired by all aspects of this organization and the incredible possibilities ahead.

Board service here is rooted in our mission and vision — helping ensure that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are equally valued in all communities. It means supporting an organization that is transforming lives every day, while helping shape how we can make an even greater impact in the future.

Vicki van Alphen, Chairperson, Board of Directors

Governance & Stewardship

Our Board of Directors

Our directors bring leadership from across business, law, healthcare, finance, and the community — and a shared commitment to the people we serve. They guide our strategy, steward our resources, and serve as ambassadors for our mission far beyond the boardroom. 

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Vicki van Alphen

Chairperson

Leadership Advisor & Team Effectiveness Coach
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Marge Ackermann

Vice Chair

Beacon Health Options
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Rick Kaufmann

Treasurer

Financial Executive, Aequum Capital
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Richard T. Sikes, Jr.

Secretary

Knight Nicastro Mackay
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Janel Bassett

Director

Pillar Financial
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Amy Bastuga

Director

Radio Flyer
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Kelly Farrell

Director

Today’s Business Solution
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Brendan Friar

Director

Chip Friar Industries
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Cheryl Patrick

Director

Clinical Executive, Lurie Children’s
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Matt Pusatera

Director

Royal Envelope / Supremex
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Barb Smith

Director

Consultant, Labor & Management Health Plan
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Jeff Waszak

Director

CIM Group
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Chris Zweidinger

Director

Senior Vice President, Lockton

Day-to-Day Leadership

Meet Our Executive Team

Our executive team turns vision into action — leading the programs, people, and partnerships that transform lives every day across more than 70 communities.

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April Dislers

Vice President of Programs and Clinical Services

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Bill Dwyer

President & CEO

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Misti Faust

Chief Financial Officer​

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Melissa MacKay

Vice President of School Services & Agency Quality​

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Marissa Post

Vice President of Strategic Initiatives​

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Latreece Vankinscott

Vice President of Human Resources

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Erika Vavrik

Vice President of Advancement

In Their Own Words

Why our board serves

We asked our board members a simple question: why give your time to Helping Hand? Their answers say more about this organization than any mission statement could. 

Could this be your reason too?

Join Our Board
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“Helping Hand began with a small group of parents and one teacher who refused to accept a world without opportunities for their children. I serve on this board to honor their legacy and help ensure that families like mine continue to find the support, hope, and community they deserve.”

Janel Bassett, Board Director

A teal circle with a black and light green speech bubble icon in the center, surrounded by small black dots.

“Helping Hand began with a small group of parents and one teacher who refused to accept a world without opportunities for their children. I serve on this board to honor their legacy and help ensure that families like mine continue to find the support, hope, and community they deserve.”

Janel Bassett, Board Director

A teal circle with a black and light green speech bubble icon in the center, surrounded by small black dots.

“Helping Hand began with a small group of parents and one teacher who refused to accept a world without opportunities for their children. I serve on this board to honor their legacy and help ensure that families like mine continue to find the support, hope, and community they deserve.”

Janel Bassett, Board Director

Board Service

What Board Service Involves

Helping Hand has a governance board, not an operational one. Our directors set strategy, provide oversight, and help ensure the organization is well run — guiding the work rather than managing the day-to-day.

Our Fiduciary Duties

Every director upholds three core duties:

Duty of Care

Take an active part in governance: attend meetings, understand our finances, help shape strategy, and act with sound judgment.

Duty of Loyalty

Put Helping Hand’s interests first, and disclose any potential conflicts of interest.

Duty of Obedience

Help ensure Helping Hand follows the law, honors its policies, and stays true to its mission.

Your Time

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Board Meetings

Six board meetings a year — about two hours each, in the evening, in person.

Board Retreat

Put Helping Hand’s interests first, and disclose any potential conflicts of interest.

Fundraising

Our four main fundraising events each year.

Committee

Service on at least one committee — Finance, Facilities, IT, or Philanthropy — which meet monthly or quarterly for about an hour, usually virtually.

Giving & Fundraising

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Give-Get Commitment

Board members share a give-get commitment: a personal contribution to Helping Hand, along with support raising funds through their networks. We don’t publish a set figure — it’s a conversation, and a shared investment in the mission.

100% of our board has met that commitment — nine years running!

Peace of Mind

You’ll serve with the protection of Directors & Officers (D&O) liability insurance.

Mission Moment

Each board meeting opens by celebrating a client’s achievement, recognizing a team member, or simply remembering why this work matters.

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Join Us

Help lead what’s next.

Helping Hand is growing — and so is our board. We’re looking for people who believe deeply in our mission and want to bring their experience, perspective, relationships, and energy to the table.

You don’t need a finance background — or prior experience with the intellectual and developmental disability community. We welcome professionals from every field, along with parents and community members. What matters most is that you believe every person deserves to be equally valued in their community, and that you’re ready to be an ambassador for the mission in your own network.

Get Involved

Board Service FAQs

Six times a year, for about two hours each, in the evening and in person — plus one board retreat each year at our Countryside location.
Yes. Our Finance, Facilities, IT, and Philanthropy committees welcome members who aren’t on the board. Committees meet monthly or quarterly for about an hour, usually virtually.
No. What matters most is that you believe every person deserves to be equally valued in their community and that you’re ready to be an ambassador for our mission.
Board members share a give-get commitment — a personal contribution plus support raising funds through their networks. We don’t publish a set figure; it’s a conversation we’ll have together.

By the Numbers

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Serving Families Since

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Children & Adults Served

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Communities Reached

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Ready to get involved?

Join Us at Helping Hand Today!

Whether you’re ready to apply, want to learn more, or would like to start by joining a committee, we’d love to hear from you.