Nancy Murphy, Secretary
Nancy retired from a lifelong career in the human services field. Her journey began when she returned to college to pursue a master’s degree in clinical psychology; her advisor referred her to Life Skills (now Easter Seals) for a potential job. It was her introduction to individuals with developmental disabilities. She worked there for over 15 years, largely because clients were eager to learn and become increasingly independent. While there, she was fortunate to serve as a director wherever needed, including residential services, employment and contract services, socialization, human resources, and even fundraising.
From there, she accepted a position as executive director of St. Louis Society (now LIFEbridge partnership), which provides recreation and socialization opportunities for children and adults with physical disabilities.
Three years later, she was hired as executive director of Delta Center, a Center for independent living serving individuals with disabilities in St. Charles, Lincoln, and Warren counties. Their goal was to empower consumers with advocacy support, information, and skills training. She retired after 17 years when her mother became ill due to dementia.
After her mother’s passing, Nancy became interested in volunteering with a not-for-profit. A fortuitous posting on United Way’s website led her to Willows Way. She was familiar with the organization and Joy, the executive director. She knew both to be well respected, well run, and focused on client needs.
She is honored to serve on the board currently as secretary.
Ronald J. Bull, Treasurer
Ron serves as the Treasurer of Willows Way, bringing extensive leadership and financial expertise to the organization. As Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Guarantee Electrical, Ron oversees financial strategy and operations, ensuring fiscal strength and sustainable growth. His career spans leadership roles, including serving as CEO of Geeding Construction and Financial Manager at Anheuser-Busch.
Since joining the Willows Way board in 2020, Ron has been committed to giving back to the community by leveraging his business acumen to support the organization’s mission. His background in financial management and executive leadership makes him a valuable asset in guiding strategic decision-making and fiscal stewardship.
Outside of his professional life, Ron is a dedicated family man who enjoys time at his lake cabin and following college basketball.
Julaine R. Murphy, Vice President
Julaine is a retired Human Resources professional with 40 years of experience spanning multiple roles, including Human Resource Director, Learning Strategist, Instructional Designer, Employment Analyst, Project Manager, Training Specialist, and Recruiter. Her extensive background provides valuable insight into workforce development, employee engagement, and organizational strategy.
Julaine first connected with Willows Way while researching services for her brother and sister, both of whom have Down syndrome. This personal experience has fueled her passion for advocating for individuals with disabilities and ensuring they receive the support and resources they deserve.
Her areas of expertise include employment, learning and development, compensation and benefits, employee relations, diversity, equity, and inclusion, performance management, instructional design, data analytics, and compliance. She brings a strategic perspective to the board, helping guide initiatives that enhance Willows Way’s mission and impact.
In retirement, Julaine enjoys volunteering, hiking, reading, and spending time with her eight busy grandchildren.
Ryan Schmidt, President
Ryan brings extensive leadership and operational expertise as a third-generation leader at DH Schmidt Company, specializing in commercial cabinets and countertops across industries. Previously, he managed manufacturing operations for Frito-Lay’s Doritos and Tostitos brands and spent time working at Walt Disney World.
Ryan’s passion for empowering others and fostering independence led him to Willows Way, where he has served on the Board since early 2020, holding roles as Treasurer and President. Unknown to him when he joined, his mother was involved with the board when founded in the 1990s. He finds joy in supporting Willows Way’s mission to enrich lives through personalized support, ensuring individuals can thrive in their communities with dignity and choice.
With a background in engineering, Ryan’s expertise spans business management, accounting, lean manufacturing, team leadership, project management, and marketing. Outside of work, he enjoys continuous learning, creative pursuits, experience-based travel, and active hobbies—always seeking new ways to grow and inspire others.
Current Board of Directors
Willows Way
Directors
Michael Cherba
Abigail Hare – Senior Quality Engineer, Steris
Abigail has been a dedicated member of the Willows Way Board of Directors since 2019. Her passion for the organization stems from a deeply personal connection—her sister has physical and intellectual disabilities, giving her a firsthand understanding of the importance of quality care and support services.
With expertise in quality systems, compliance, and process improvement, Abigail brings a strategic mindset to the board, ensuring that Willows Way continues to provide the highest standard of care. She is particularly passionate about hiring and retaining top-tier professionals to support individuals with disabilities.
Growing up with a sister with disabilities has shaped Abigail’s perspective, reinforcing the value of inclusion, advocacy, and access to essential resources. She is committed to making a meaningful impact in the lives of those Willows Way serves.
Mimnic Ross, Ph.D.
Before transitioning into IT, she made meaningful contributions in the education sector as a General Education Director and Adjunct Professor. This experience equips her to advocate for inclusive educational programs that align with Willows Way’s goals, ensuring that individuals with intellectual disabilities have access to the resources and opportunities they deserve.
Currently pursuing her Ph.D., Mimnic’s passion for Willows Way is deeply rooted in her personal experiences. With a brother who has an intellectual disability, she possesses invaluable insight into the critical importance of quality care and support for individuals and families in similar situations. Her unwavering dedication drives her to create a positive impact within a community that is often misunderstood and overlooked, further supporting Willows Way’s mission to empower and uplift those it serves.
Ryan Strecker – Board of Directors, Willows Way
Ryan has been a dedicated member of the Willows Way Board of Directors since 2018, bringing both professional expertise and personal passion to the organization. With 27 years of experience in the IT industry—20 of which have been focused on cybersecurity—Ryan has held various technical and sales roles, equipping him with a deep understanding of technology, risk management, and strategic growth. He currently serves as a Senior Channel Systems Engineer at Palo Alto Networks, where he helps organizations navigate complex security challenges.
Beyond his professional achievements, Ryan is a devoted husband to his wife, Courtney, with whom he has shared 17 wonderful years of marriage. Together, they are the proud parents of two children, Ella and Liam. Their son, Liam, has Down syndrome, giving Ryan firsthand insight into the importance of inclusive support services. His personal experiences fuel his advocacy and leadership, making his role on the board both meaningful and impactful.
Ryan remains committed to using his expertise and personal experiences to help guide Willows Way in its mission to empower individuals with disabilities to live full and independent lives.
Usha Roy Sr. Director - Patient Support and Reimbursement
Her connection to Willows Way is deeply personal—her adult son, who has IDD and is non-verbal, attends the program. Since joining the board in the past year, she has been passionate about leveraging her expertise in strategic business planning, healthcare operations, and patient affordability programs to support the organization’s mission.
Usha is driven by the desire to make a positive impact on something bigger than herself, bringing both professional insight and personal dedication to her role at Willows Way.
Rooji Sugathan, Ph.D. Vice President of Information Management and Chief Information Officer, Lindenwood University
Dr. Rooji Sugathan is a seasoned technology leader with a passion for leveraging expertise to serve the community. As the Chief Information Officer at Lindenwood University, he oversees all Information Technology operations, ensuring seamless support for faculty, staff, and students. His extensive career spans over a decade at Washington University in St. Louis, where he spearheaded data and analytics initiatives, managed enterprise applications, and led development and architecture teams. Prior to his work in higher education, Dr. Sugathan contributed to technology teams within Fortune 100 companies and a global mid-size enterprise software development business. Areas of expertise encompass: Technology leadership, data science and analytics, strategic planning, education and mentorship, and problem solving by employing lateral thinking to overcome complex challenges.
Driven by a desire to make a tangible difference, Dr. Sugathan has served on the board of Willows Way for over three years. He is deeply committed to supporting the organization’s mission. The team at Willows Way is excellent at providing care with compassion, and Dr. Sugathan shares his knowledge and experience to strengthen their vital work.