Leadership
Humbly called to serve and inspired to lead.
Our leadership team embraces the ten principles of Servant-Leadership and demonstrates our mission to act compassionately, serve humbly, and lead courageously.
You can Live Your Passion.
You Are Part of a Legacy of Hope.
You will Empower Change.
Héctor Colón
President & Chief Executive Officer
Héctor Colón is the President and CEO of Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan (LSS). Under Colón’s visionary and innovative leadership, LSS has adapted new models and business strategies to increase relevancy and operational efficiency. Before the start of Colón’s tenure in 2017, the organization had not met its budget for four consecutive years. Since that time, LSS has experienced a $17.4 million dollar turnaround. He recently was named the Nonprofit Executive of the Year by BizTimes Media and the Hispanic Man of the year by UMOS. He is the host of LSS' first podcast, "In the Ring with Héctor Colón", released on March 16, 2022.
As Executive Director of the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services, Colón led several countywide initiatives, including efforts to reform the juvenile justice system, end chronic homelessness, transform mental health care, and end a 30-year waitlist for disability services.
Héctor will say that his own personal and professional turnaround began in boxing. As a member and champion of the national USA Boxing team, he won seven national titles and competed in the 1992 Olympic trials. At the height of his boxing career, Colón stepped away from a lucrative boxing career to serve God. Today, he is the USA Boxing Board Vice President where he and the organization focus on inspiring athletes to discover their own path towards personal and professional greatness. He also serves on the Board of Directors for M3 Insurance, as well as Nicolet Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ; NCBS), the holding company for Nicolet National Bank.
Email: Hector.Colon@lsswis.org
Michelle Naples
Chief Integration Officer
Michelle joined LSS in 2017 as the first Chief Integration Officer. Michelle works closely with the leadership team and colleagues to co-create and advance the organization’s strategic direction and Servant-Leadership culture. She oversees centralized business services including Human Capital, Information Technology, Marketing and Communications, and Performance and Quality Improvement.
Michelle has devoted her career to improving the impact of social services by strengthening provider organizations and their work environments. Through her focus on enhancing organizational culture and infrastructure, she fosters workplaces where people thrive and perform at their best. With a proven ability to align people, processes, and technology, Michelle optimizes organizational resources and builds capacity to deliver exceptional results. Her strategic approach balances innovation and risk with consideration of ROI.
At LSS, Michelle leverages her 30+ years of experience working in a variety of roles within government and non-profit human services organizations. Prior positions include serving as Strategic Initiatives Director for the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services, and Associate Director with Policy Research Associates, Inc. (Delmar, NY).
Email: Michelle.Naples@lsswis.org
Tara Treglowne
Chief Operating Officer
Tara M. Treglowne serves as our Chief Operating Officer. Previously the Vice President of Adult Residential and Long-Term Care, Tara has welcomed the opportunity to support various programs within LSS since 2001 - serving first within youth residential and foster care before moving on to housing and urban development, as well as Long Term Care, and now into the Chief Operating Officer role in 2025.
Beginning in 2014, Tara had the unique opportunity to help build Connections, an IRIS Consultant Agency of LSS. Connections was built from the ground up with a philosophy build around Collective Leadership, Empowering Collaboration through Contribution. Tara strives to create space for her team that is focused on collaboration and co-creation, which can only happen authentically if all colleagues have an opportunity to be included, to lead.
In 2015, Tara graduated with an MBA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh. Tara was part of a newly developed executive MBA path specifically developed for executives and leaders, which focused on building skills and conceptualization at an enterprise and leadership level. She received her undergraduate degree in sociology from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point.
Focusing on creating impact and a better tomorrow for those served across the state of WI, fuels her passion and motivation for leading the Connections team. To live in an environment in which all individuals are treated fairly, with dignity and respect and have equal access to opportunities and resources.
Email: Tara.Treglowne@lsswis.org
Randy Oleszak
Chief Financial Officer
Randy Oleszak, CPA has served as Lutheran Social Services' Chief Financial Officer since 2017. Previously, Randy served in financial management leadership positions with health care companies in the Milwaukee area. Randy works closely with the Executive Team and CEO providing financial strategy and direction for the organization.
Randy thrive on transforming organizations to make them more effective, financially sound, and creating a positive, upbeat place to work. Whether in large private companies, government, or nonprofit organizations, Randy's financial leadership allows LSS leadership to concentrate on other areas, confident that the financial area is meticulously in order. His close partnership with leadership and active participation on multiple boards contributes to his invaluable expertise.
Email: Randall.Oleszak@lsswis.org
Mara Dučkens
Chief Advancement & Advocacy Officer
Mara joined LSS in 2023 and is the organization’s first Chief Advancement & Advocacy Officer. A relationship-focused leader, Mara matches individuals, congregations, foundations, and corporations with LSS initiatives that speak to their hearts and philanthropic goals. She also focuses on government relations and policy advocacy to help deepen the impact that LSS can have on those we serve. Through this work, Mara is helping our community create the positive change they want to see in the world.
With over two decades of experience, Mara’s nonprofit background includes leading major fundraising campaigns, building philanthropic programs from the ground up, and running entire organizations. For the eight years prior to coming to LSS, she served as Executive Director of St. Francis Children’s Center, an organization dedicated to serving children and teens with special needs. Today, she is excited to share her expertise with LSS, an organization that serves over 30,000 people each year and embraces the Lutheran values of love, compassion, and service that she grew up with.
To sustain her energy and fuel her soul, Mara maintains an art studio in her home where she paints and draws daily. She credits her classical training in figurative drawing for teaching her discipline, strategic thinking, flexibility, and grit. In her free time, she hikes, travels, and cooks with her family.
Email: Mara.Duckens@lsswis.org
Dennis Hanson
Vice President, Residential/Housing Services/Facility & Asset Management
Dennis Hanson oversees housing-related programs for Lutheran Social Services. This includes HUD-subsidized multifamily communities for older adults and people with disabilities, market-rate housing for seniors, non-subsidized housing for persons with disabilities, housing service coordination/case management, the Thompson Community Center, the facilities management staff, leased and owned facilities and properties held for sale. He joined LSS in 1993 as program supervisor for a residential facility and previously worked in home health administration, supportive home care, and residential facility management.
Email: Dennis.Hanson@lsswis.org
Heather Yaeger
Vice President, Community Based Services
In the role of Vice President of Community Based Services, Heather supports statewide initiatives that provide critical services for youth and families, with a focus on mental health, treatment, and adolescent care. Her role involves overseeing diverse programming and fostering engagement with funders to ensure sustainable and impactful outcomes. Prior involvement in system change initiatives include the Department of Children and Families Rate Regulation Advisory Committee, Legislative Council on Adoption Disruption and Dissolution, WAFCA -WCHSA Partnership Workgroup and the Governor’s Commission on Juvenile Justice. Heather has trained teams in a variety of topics including trauma and permanency, as well as actively participated in state-level strategic initiatives such as Family First Prevention Service Act, demonstrating her commitment to and understanding of evidence informed practices at LSS.
With extensive experience in budget oversight and team management, Heather focuses on building successful teams and sustainable programs. She understands the child welfare system across a continuum including out-of-home care to community-based services, and mental health services for children and adults. Starting her career in the Wisconsin mental health system and then residential treatment leadership, she applies a clinical view to her organizational leadership.
Heather’s mission remains steadfast: Empowering individuals and organizations through dedicated service and innovative solutions.
Email: Heather.Yaeger@lsswis.org
Operating Board of Directors
We are governed by a Board of Directors, which is comprised of representatives from business, clergy, health care and other sectors of the community. The board provides direction and approval in terms of our strategic plan, employee and fiscal policies, and other programmatic issues.
Eric Lorenz
Chair
Joel Treffert
Vice Chair
Héctor Colón
President & CEO
Frank Cumberbatch
Secretary
Mike Groth
Treasurer
Luis Arroyo
Allen Cooper
Keri De Bruin
Dean Gruner
Matt Kircher
Pastor Bill Knapp
Bishop Felix Malpica
Sue Merkatoris
Dick Pieper
David Remstad
Oralee Schock
Michael Sheppard
Melanie Varin
ELCA Advisory Directors
Bishop Anne Edison-Albright Erickson - East Central Synod of Wisconsin
Bishop Paul Erickson - Greater Milwaukee Synod
Bishop Katherine Finegan - Northern Great Lakes Synod
Bishop Felix Malpica - La Crosse Area Synod
Bishop Joy Mortensen-Wiebe - South-Central Synod of Wisconsin
Bishop Martin Halom - Northwest Synod of Wisconsin