Leadership

John Jeanetta, MBA, MSW – President and CEO

Appointed president and CEO of Heartland Family Service in 2009, John Jeanetta has led with passion and a strong belief in an expert, trauma-informed, and empowered workplace. John holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln/Gallup University, a Master of Science in Social Work degree from Columbia University, and a master’s specialization certification in gerontology.

JJeanetta@HeartlandFamilyService.org

Pauli Bishop – Chief Financial Officer

Pauli began her career as Chief Financial Officer with Heartland Family Service in November 2022. In her current role she is responsible for all fiscal related functions in the organization. Prior to Heartland Family Service, Pauli worked for Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands as the CFO, Nebraska Humane Society as the Vice President and CFO, and also spent 10 years at Goodwill Industries, Inc. starting as an Accountant and ending as the Interim CEO. Pauli has her Associates Degree in Accounting, Bachelor of Science in Leadership, and her MBA in Finance.

PBishop@HeartlandFamilyService.org

Keellia Guevara, MS – Chief Culture Officer

Keellia came to Heartland Family Service in 2013 as a Problem Gambling Prevention Specialist and took on the Diversity Officer role in December 2016. In addition to overseeing the agency’s diversity and inclusion initiative, she also helps coordinate the five employee resource groups. Keellia graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in Liberal Arts and has worked in social services since 2001, building community programs, engaging partnerships, and increasing positive experiences for youth and families. She and her husband, Pedro, live in Omaha with their two children.

KGuevara@HeartlandFamilyService.org

Mitch McCartney – Interim Chief Development Officer

Mitch joined HFS in 2020 as a development manager and is now serving as the Interim Chief Development Officer, He oversees the agency’s Community Relations Department, which includes fundraising and development, marketing and communications, and grant writing. During his career, he has also worked in the development, communications, and administration at the Nebraska Legislature, the Nebraska Synod ELCA, and the Omaha Kroc Center. He has an MPA from the University of Nebraska-Omaha and a B.A. from Nebraska Wesleyan University. He and his wife, Jean, reside in Omaha with their daughter.

MMcCartney@HeartlandFamilyService.org

Shamala Nadason – Chief Human Resources Officer

Shamala began at Heartland Family Service as a Human Resources Specialist in 2005 before becoming Director of Human Resources in 2009. In December 2016, Sham was promoted to Vice President of Human Resources, for which she will continue to oversee services from recruitment, talent management, risk management, learning and development, compliance, and employee engagement. She graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha with degrees in Human Resources and Finance, and earned her PHR and SHRM-CP certification in HR. Sham and her husband, Mani, live in Papillion with their two children.

Mary O’Neill ­– Chief Operating Officer

Mary oversees day-to-day operations, including facility operations, and strategy of our three program areas: Child & Family Well-Being, Counseling & Prevention, and Housing, Safety, & Financial Stability. She provides particular focus in identifying community service gaps for the clients we serve and advocates for funding to address these issues imperative to our clients.

MOneill@HeartlandFamilyService.org

Greg Ryan – Chief Strategy Officer

Before serving as Chief Strategy Officer, Greg served as a therapist, Program Director for Community Based Evaluations, and Director of Quality Improvement and Compliance. Greg facilitates the development, implementation and monitoring the agency’s strategic plan.

GRyan@HeartlandFamilyService.org

Cindy Meyer, MPA – Quality Director, Compliance, Ethics, & Privacy Officer

Cindy joined Heartland Family Service in 2015 as the Quality Director and Privacy Officer. Cindy assumed the additional responsibilities of the Ethics and Compliance Officer in 2018. Cindy has spent the last 20 years in a variety of human services and non-profit roles including Patient Safety, Risk Management, Quality, and direct work with at-risk children and their families. She has a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

CMeyer@HeartlandFamilyService.org

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Victoria Cassidy – Vice President, Clinical Services/Clinical Director

Victoria joined Heartland Family Service in 2019 as a clinical supervisor for the One Oak program. Other roles with the agency have included Better Together, Family Works, and Mental Health for Youth in Detention. Beginning her clinical career working in residential treatment centers in Kansas City, Victoria moved into juvenile justice and leading a community-based mental health team in reduction of hospitalizations through implementation of in-home mental and physical health services. Victoria has a passion for working with marginalized populations and providing clinical support through training and guidance. Holding a BA in Psychology and MA in Counseling and Guidance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Victoria is a Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner in Nebraska and is trained in multiple evidence-based practices including EMDR, DBT, and CBT.

VCassidy@HeartlandFamilyService.org

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Mindy Paces, Vice President, Housing & Community Well-Being

Mindy graduated from Wayne State College in 2009 with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services Counseling and a minor in Psychology. Her experience prior to Heartland Family Service included work in child welfare, intellectual and behavioral disabilities, and adolescent residential substance use treatment. She came to Heartland Family Service in 2015, where she started as a Case Manager in the Rapid Rehousing program, and eventually became the Homeless Prevention & Diversion Program Director in 2017. In 2019 she became the Vice President of the Housing, Safety and Community Well-Being programs. Mindy is an enrolled member of the Northern Arapaho Tribe, serves as a Commissioner on the Governor’s Commission on Housing and Homelessness, and also serves on the board directors for HELP Medical Equipment and Habitat for Humanity- Council Bluffs. Mindy also serves on various taskforces and committees in the Omaha/Council Bluffs Community dedicated to addressing the need for affordable housing and identifying strategies to end homelessness. 

MPaces@HeartlandFamilyService.org

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Kerry Wiles, LMHC, IADC, LIMHP – Vice President, Behavioral Health Services

Kerry joined Heartland Family Service in 2004, holding positions such as therapist, Clinical Supervisor, Associate Clinical Director, and Clinical Director in her tenure at the organization. As Vice President of Behavioral Health Services, Kerry manages several important Heartland Family Service programs and related services. Kerry holds Bachelors of Science degrees in Psychology and Sociology from Wayne State College, a Master of Science degree in Community Counseling from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (IA), Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner (NE), and International Alcohol and Drug Counselor (IA).

KWiles@HeartlandFamilyService.org

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Sonia Keffer – Director of Learning & Development

As Director of Learning and Development, Sonia oversees the development and facilitation of all Heartland Family Service training delivered to the organization’s employees. Sonia joined Heartland Family Service in 2016, growing the Learning and Development department in both size and scope. She has spent her nearly 25-year career in the education field as a trainer, teacher, developer, consultant, and professional coach.

SKeffer@HeartlandFamilyService.org

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Nate Lewiston – Director of Technology

Nate began his career with Heartland Family Service in 2012 as a Technical Support Specialist. He went on to design and administer server infrastructure and technical solutions for the organization. As the Director of Technology, Nate establishes the IT strategy and budget, develops IT policy and practices, and oversees the IT department’s infrastructure, projects, and staff. Nate’s team ensures technical safeguards for data security and disaster recovery.

NLewiston@HeartlandFamilyService.org