President

Berneeta “Bernie” Wagoner is a mental health practitioner who has lived and worked in SW Iowa since 1972. She has a love and passion for rural practice. Bernie’s family has been impacted by mental illness. She is a farm-wife, mother, and grandmother.

Vice-President

Diana Hoogestraat was born in Carroll County Iowa, but has been a resident of Glenwood, Iowa, since 1969. Her longtime job at the Glenwood Resource Center (GRC) brought her to this area of the State. She worked as a Case Worker, initially, at GRC and then as the Social Work Administrator for a total of 41 years. Diana currently contracts, part-time, as a Mental Health Therapist for Horizons Therapy Group in Council Bluffs, Iowa, where she has been for the past ten years. Diana and husband, Tom, just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, have 3 grown children and 7 grandchildren. Diana serves on a number of Boards and has had the honor of being on the NAMI Board since 2019.  Hobbies include traveling, gardening, reading, and baking (she especially enjoys baking specialty themed birthday cakes for all of her grandchildren).

Treasurer

Secretary

Nichole was born and raised in Atlantic, Iowa. She graduated from Atlantic Highschool and went on to earn three associate degrees from Iowa Western Community College in Criminal Justice, Social Sciences, and Human Services: Pre-Social work. Nichole completed her bachelor’s degree in Psychology (minor in Criminal Justice) from Peru State and her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Bellevue University. Nichole is currently a provisionally licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and a Nationally Certified Counselor. She has over 5 years of human services experience across a variety of settings including: outpatient substance abuse counselor, behavioral health intervention specialist, FSRP specialist, and mental health counselor. Nichole is trained in EMDR counseling and specializes in trauma. 

Board Member

Brad Brake is a resident of Omaha, NE and has been the director of Harrison County Home and Public Health (HCHPH) in Logan, IA since August 2018. His primary responsibilities include oversight of the overall operation of the rural, county-based department as well as maintaining and improving the health and wellness of Harrison County residents. Recently, HCHPH received Mental Health America’s Platinum Bell Seal for leading the charge in workplace mental health practices. Brad received his B.A. in Sociology and Religious Studies from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN in 2010 and his Juris Doctor from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 2015. Prior to making the change to local public health, Brad served for three years as a public guardian with the Nebraska Supreme Court.

Board Member

Jessica M Coburn, LMHC was brought to southwest Iowa in 2011, where she completed her Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health at Bellevue University. Jessica is now a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Iowa. She enjoys her time with family often traveling and volunteers her time for several non-profit organizations throughout the area.

Board Member

Jessica Duncan has been the Account Executive at Angels Care Home Health in Council Bluffs for over a year. Her position allows her the opportunity to be a community educator on preventive health, a social butterfly in the community to tell people about their homebound home health options, and also to be a resource in the community on Angels services including specialty programs like Behavioral Health, Anxiety/Depression and Alzheimer's/Dementia. Jessica completed her Bachelor's Degree in Health Care Administration and Policy with a minor in Sociology from Creighton University. 

Jessica has family members that have lived through depression, friends that have lived through anxiety disorders and postpartum depression, and close loved ones that have been through different mental health diagnoses. Her hope in being an active member of NAMI is to make an impact personally and professionally in her community for those that are touched by the struggles of mental health concerns.

Board Member

Board Member

An Iowa farm boy born and raised on his family’s farm outside of Shelby; Ryan is now a resident of Harlan, (in Shelby County).

Ryan volunteers for Shelby County Community Outreach. SCCO is a Christian-based non-profit helping disabled, low-income, and the elderly in Shelby county with small home repairs, finding furniture, and other resources.

In addition to volunteering, Ryan offers his time and skills when needed by doing odd jobs in his community.

In 2016, he trained as a Peer Support Specialist and currently co-leads Peer Connections groups both online and in-person.

Ryan identifies himself as a Peer in Recovery from serious mental illness and drug addiction. He also passion for plants and growing all kinds of flowers like Iris, Geranium, and Hosta.

Board Member

Jason Swain was raised in Del Rio, Texas. He left Del Rio at the age of 19 to explore the world while serving his country. Jason served in the US Army for 21 years. His time in the Army included tours of duty in Germany, Italy, Iraq, Macedonia, Kuwait, the United Kingdom, as well as stateside assignments in Arizona, Florida, New York, South Carolina, and Texas. He retired from the Army in 2012 and settled in Omaha, NE where he lives with his wife and son. He also has three stepchildren, a son-in-law, and three granddaughters with a fourth grandchild expected in May 2021. Jason completed a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Bellevue University in February 2020. He is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and holds a temporary Mental Health Counselor License in the state of Iowa. He currently practices in Red Oak, IA through Waubonsie Mental Health Center.

Board Member

I started career in Mental Health in 2016 after working 10 years in a high stress, fast paced, and overly competitive environment. I made the change because I have suffered from depression and anxiety for as far back as I can remember. I felt the change would finally allow me the joy of meaningful work. I was right! I love what I do, and it has ignited a new found passion and confidence in me that I didn’t know existed. Yes, I’m blessed to help others, but who knew I would be the one benefiting the most!

I was born and raised in Shenandoah, IA. The first half of my life I felt very alone and misunderstood do to the stigma surrounding metal illness. My family and the community viewed me as “over sensitive” or “moody”, which only increased the sadness and internal suffering.

After graduating from Shenandoah, I attended college in the Omaha/Council Bluffs Metro Area. I worked at the Nebraska Humane Society all through college which was very therapeutic, and exponentially increased my passion and love for animals which had always been something I was incredibly passionate about. I graduated with a B.S. in Human Resource Management, but, like most, I’ve chosen a different path, which I am grateful for.

Side note: I love, love, love football! How about those CHIEFS! Go Big Red!