Our Leadership

Chair

Judy Wederquist

Judy Wederquist brings to the Master Trauma Foundation Board of Directors, long years of business knowledge and expertise in the private business sector as a V.P. of Great Plains Communications Inc., from where she has now retired.  She has been and continues to be active in state issues, especially concerning children in DHHS and Foster Care, and consulted with Governor Heinemann and state senators on these complex issues.  She is highly motivated to serve as the Chair of the Board of Directors, to be a part of this foundation that helps those suffering from PTSD, who don’t know how or where to go for the right help.  She is very confident and pleased to know that the foundation is making positive changes to better lives and increase self-sufficiency to those we serve.

Treasurer, Church Corrections Task Force Member

Ron Gustafson

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Inspirational Speaker and Author of ‘Fully Armed’

• Professional communicator and storyteller
• “Turning Setbacks Into Comebacks” was the engaging topic to encourage, motivate and impact lives.
• Over 1.6 million people impacted over my 24-year speaking career
  Small Company President & Owner
• Acquired, relocated, and rebuilt a 20-year-old company that had 7 consecutive years of decreasing revenue
• Established new key accounts doubling company revenues in three years
• Established the process of outsourcing the manufacturing in China and the processes of importing the items to a
  local warehouse
• Developed multiple new products, annual catalogs, and other marketing materials
• Expanded the business nationally and established three international distributors
• Orchestrated the sale of the business after doubling gross revenues
  Area Sales Manager for Solaris Paper
• Onboarded a contract sales company to drive day to day sales through distributors in a 4-state region
• Built relations and brand awareness through the distributor owners and sales teams
• Sold proprietary equipment that utilized the proprietary paper products

HONORARY
Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame – The ‘Ron Gustafson Inspiration Award’ was created in my name and is given to an outstanding Nebraska athlete or coach that best represents my character on the field of competition

EDUCATION
University of Nebraska – Kearney, NE
Bachelor of Science Degree – Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing

Member at Large, Church Corrections Task Force Member

Suzanne Geist

Profile:

• Nebraska State Senator, elected in November of 2016 & re-elected in November of 2020
• Member of the Judiciary Committee, Member of the Executive Board, Member of the Referencing Committee, Member of the Redistricting Committee, Member of the Nebraska Information Technology Commission, Member of the 2017 LR127 Nebraska Justice System Special Oversight Committee, Vice Chair of the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee, Chair of the Performance Audit Committee
• Small business owner
• Experienced salesperson
• Community volunteer

Professional Experience:

• Self-employed (2012-Present)
• Sales Director for Nebraska Wedding Day Magazine (2009-2012)
• Account Executive for Windstream Communications (2008-2009)
• Senior Pharmaceutical Sales Executive for Nova Quest
  Pharmaceuticals (2002-2008)

Volunteer Experience:

• Sweetheart Program Director for the Leadership program for High School Juniors and Seniors at the American Heart Association (2014-2016)
• Clinic Director one night a month for a free clinic for un-insured and underinsured with Clinic With A Heart (2010-Present)

Education:

• Bachelor of Journalism (1984) from the University of Nebraska –Lincoln

Awards / Accomplishments:

• 2020 Family Research Council Legislator of the Year
• 2018 BILLD Fellow
• 2018 Darden School of Business-Emerging Leaders Program graduate

Secretary

Dani Beadle

Dani describes her serving on the Board of Director’s as the most meaningful work she has ever been a part of.  Dani has always been passionate about helping others.  She is a Clinical Nursing Professional having worked as a surgical nurse, obstetrics and gynecology nurse, and an elderly care nurse.  She has also worked as a Patient Care Nurse assessing patient quality of care in several Nebraska hospitals, wanting to make sure patients are taken care of.  Dani’s large heart for others and her passion for help to be the highest of quality for those being served combines a great set of skills for her work here.

Treasurer

Nikki Johnson

Nikki serves both on the Board of Directors and the Foundation’s Advisory Council.

She brings critical lived experience to guide and direct the Foundation’s programming.

She is a veteran’s wife, a mother, a medical billing specialist, and does full time volunteer work giving back to those in recovery and the work of this Foundation.  She has done her own personal trauma resolution work and wholeheartedly believes in and supports what the Master Trauma Foundation is doing.

Member

Dr. Daryl Callahan

Dr. Daryl Callahan comes to Master Trauma Foundation (MTF) Board with 30 years’ experience in Federal Service as both a Civil Service Physician and as a Senior Medical Officer in the National Guard (Colonel).  He serviced 3 tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom and several domestic operations such as Katrina/Rita Relief. Dr. Callahan is motivated to serve on the board in an effort to encourage trauma recovery with resiliency.

Executive Director

Scott K. Carlson

• M.S. Counseling, M.S. School Administration, Licensed Mental Health Professional
• Certified Trauma Specialist, Member International Academy Trauma Professionals
• Owner M.T. Counseling Services, Trauma Resolution Program providing services to NE. Probation, 9 districts including the cities of Omaha, Bellevue, Lincoln, Beatrice, Fremont, Columbus, Grand Island, Hastings, Kearney, Lexington, North Platte.

Lead Clinician & Researcher

Stephanie J. Clark

• M.S. Social Work, M.S. Public Administration, Provisional Licensed Mental Health Professional
• Nebraska Families Collaborative, M.T. Counseling Services group facilitator, data.

Scott McDowell

Father, Peer Support Specialist working in homeless shelters Omaha, NA sponsor, high motivation to change, high motivation to give back to others, humble, great man!

Nikki Johnson

Mother, veteran’s wife, Medical Billing Specialist, AA sponsor, high motivation to change, high motivation to give back to others, humble, great lady!

Patricia Hay-Holen

Counselor, Hope for the Journey
1023 N. 205th St., Elkhorn, NE 68022

Katrina Bishop

Hypnotherapist, A Better You
https://abetteru.me/