Nancy McKenzie, Executive Director for Nexus-PATH Family Healing will be retiring at the end of 2020. She leaves behind a legacy of positively impacting North Dakota youth in foster care and families and children suffering from mental health issues.
McKenzie joined Nexus-PATH in 2014 as the North Dakota Director for foster care and family support services. She became the Executive Director over all Nexus-PATH services in 2018. Nancy has spent her career working for healthcare and mental health organizations, dedicating her 44-year career to helping individuals find new paths to success.
“I actually retired for the first time in 2011,” said McKenzie. “But I guess my work was not over. I missed the satisfaction of helping those in need and making their life a bit easier. I was called back to mental health work and found a home working for the kids and families served by Nexus-PATH.”
During her time at Nexus-PATH, she is most proud of the diversification of the organization’s services. Through innovation and a continual drive to meet the needs of the youth in our community where they need it most, Nancy helped to launch the Nexus-PATH Trauma and Stress Clinic, school-based case management programs, additional family supports, and much more. McKenzie notes the organization’s openness to innovation and new opportunities to serve the youth and families of North Dakota was one of the main reasons she joined Nexus-PATH.
My successor is fortunate to have this entire team to help continue and grow the exceptional and essential work of Nexus-PATH,” said McKenzie.
After her retirement, McKenzie is excited to watch the school-based case management program grow. “The school-based program ties together the needs we know schools have now with our expertise in working with children and families, and their teachers.” She also plans to travel, brush up on old hobbies like playing piano and writing, spend time with her family, and volunteer locally.
Dr. Michelle K. Murray, CEO of Nexus Family Healing, Nexus-PATH’s parent organization, said, “Nancy has helped pioneer many great new programs to serve youth and families throughout North Dakota and is an exceptional advocate for her staff and her community. We are grateful for her strong leadership and dedication over these past few years – her passion to support others will be missed.”
McKenzie’s hopes for the next leader: to be successful in building on the rich history of Nexus-PATH and continue looking forward toward innovative opportunities that lie ahead. The search for a new Nexus-PATH Executive Director will be led by Sagency, a Midwest-based executive search and leadership consulting firm, and a search committee made up of Nexus-PATH Board members and executive leadership. Those interested in the Executive Director position can review the job profile at https://recruiterflow.com/sagency/jobs/85.
