About Us

  • Leadership

    • Executive Leadership

    • Mark A. Peterson

      President and Chief Executive Officer
      “It is very satisfying to lead an organization that is passionate and hopeful about our future.There is a sense of community within this organization that is quite powerful.  Our employees are all over the state, but they all share the same passion of inspiring hope, changing lives, and building community.”
      Mark's full bio >
    • Jodi Harpstead

      Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
      “We work with compassion and competence. First we need the compassion to serve the neighbor, and to be with them through whatever they are struggling or walking through. Then we need to have the competence to make a difference, so that our client’s lives are enhanced by walking with us in a way that makes a difference.”
      Jodi's full bio >
    • Ken Borle

      Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
      "LSS has high quality services supported by systems and business processes that work. Quality has a way of being self sustaining. When we get the job done, people develop confidence and they take pride in their work – that is pretty gratifying.”
      Ken's full bio >
    • Rod Brown

      Vice President of Family Services
      “I am passionate about serving others with dignity; it is important that the ways we interact with people are both elegant and efficient and have a beneficial impact on their lives. We are here to enable independence and interdependence.”
      Rod's full bio >
    • Joyce Norals

      Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer
      "You realize that employees stay at LSS because they have come to care about the people they work with – whether client or colleague. They care about the community in which they serve. There is such compassion and zeal around pursuing social justice for others.”
      Joyce's full bio >
    • Ember Reichgott Junge

      Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer
      “We are creating new ways for supporters to be involved with our work. Our advocates are becoming volunteers and donors. Donors are expressing the desire to help advocate. Our congregations want to help in all kinds of ways. The roles are all tied together, creating endless possibilities for service.”
      Ember's full bio >
    • Jeri Schoonover

      Vice President for Community Services
      “The staff and volunteers in this organization are amazing! Their commitment to helping people with disabilities and older adults have full, rich lives in community means that people are happier, healthier and more engaged. New ideas for new and better ways to serve are a near-daily occurrence.”
      Jeri's full bio >



  • Board of Directors

    Jim Vos, Chair
    Jim Renner,Vice Chair
    Joan Wandke Nelson, Secretary
    Todd Hysjulien, Treasurer
    Ann Beatty
    Susan Haffield
    Mary Hauck
    Rev. John Hogenson
    Justin Huenemann
    Bishop Craig E. Johnson
    Artie Miller
    Kate Mooney
    Cathy Norelius
    Allen Rasmussen
    Teresa Rasmussen
    Nancy Rystrom
    Renee Sayles
    Rev. Mark Skinner
    Dan Thorson
    Rev. Mari Thorkelson
    Bishop Harold Usgaard
    Lori Wall


  • LSS Foundation Board of Trustees

    Steve Adams
    Kristin Anderson
    Joseph Dolan
    Nathan Dungan
    Dave Ness
    David Quello
    Allen G. Rasmussen, Chair
    Glenda Schnirring
    Dayton Soby
    Barb Swanson
    Dan Thorson
    Troy Wenck
    Tom Woessner
    Paul Tillquist