OUR EXECUTIVE TEAM
Jeff Nichols
CEO
Jeff Nichols is the CEO at MAC. Mr. Nichols has over 40 years’ experience developing management and executive teams and significantly improving operational and financial performance for mission-based organizations and for–profit companies. Before coming to MAC, Mr. Nichols was the CEO at One Vision in Clear Lake, Iowa. Prior to that, Mr. Nichols was CEO at Strive Colorado. Mr. Nichols’ very diverse career spans the IT industry, K-12 schools, software development, behavioral health, developmental disabilities/ICF’s, senior living, skilled nursing facilities, housing/apartments and as an adjunct professor in a variety of small for–profit startups and ventures. As MAC’s CEO, Mr. Nichols has led a dedicated and talented team of leaders and staff in growing MAC’s impact and mission reach, establishing innovative services and improving therapy outcomes and quality. Mr. Nichols attended National American University for a BS and MIS, and the University of Sioux Falls for his MBA in Business Management. He has served on numerous Chamber boards, Regional Development boards, and non-profit boards, including currently serving as the treasurer of Minnesota Youth Symphonies. He has volunteered extensively and enjoys the outdoors and spending time with family. Mr. Nichols resides in Palisade, Minnesota, with his wife.
Jaimie Goette
CFO
Jaimie Goette, CPA, MBA, CPSP, CGMA is the Chief Financial Officer at MAC. Ms. Goette has oversight of Finance, IT, and Facilities for the agency. She has 15 years of progressive experience in healthcare finance, 12 in Executive Leadership roles with 9 of those years focused specifically in the Children’s Behavioral Health arena. Before joining the team at MAC, Ms. Goette spent more than 7 years with Northwood Children’s Services as their CFO. Ms. Goette holds an Associates in Accounting and Business Administration from Lake Region State College, a Bachelor of Accountancy from the University of North Dakota, and a Masters in Business Administration with a dual emphasis in Healthcare Management and Accounting from Lakeland University. Ms. Goette served as the Chairperson for the CFO Committee with the AspireMN advocacy group for two years and, in that capacity, was integrally involved in the implementation of PRTF level of care in the state. Ms. Goette has four children, lives in Northern Wisconsin, and thoroughly enjoys spending time outdoors with her family.
Leslie Chaplin
Chief Clinical Officer
Leslie Chaplin, MSW, PhD, LICSW is the Chief Clinical Officer at MAC, bringing over 30 years of experience in the behavioral health field. With a strong background in working with children and families, Dr. Chaplin has held various leadership positions within nonprofit organizations, where she has demonstrated a commitment to enhancing services and developing innovative solutions to address the needs of those under her care. She holds a Master of Social Work from the University of MN, Duluth, and a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. In her leisure time, Dr. Chaplin enjoys life on a hobby farm and is deeply passionate about leveraging animal-assisted therapeutic interventions with horses and her certified therapy dog, Sunny.
Jennifer Diederich
VP of Quality and Behavior Analytics
Jennifer Diederich, MA, BCaBA is the Vice President of Quality and Behavior Analytics at MAC. Ms. Diederich supervises the Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) department, the quality assurance and training teams at MAC. She started with MAC in 2001 and has over 22 years of experience serving children and families impacted by autism and investing in the training and development of staff. Ms. Diederich attended the University of St. Thomas (2000) for an undergraduate degree in theology and political science. She received her Board–Certified assistant Behavior Analyst certification (2016) and received her master’s degree in organizational leadership from Claremont Lincoln University (2021). She has conducted presentations for various universities, schools, police departments, community organizations and has created and presented at four international symposiums on autism and autism therapy. Ms. Diederich created the Leadership Exploration and Development (LEaD) Institute at MAC which has continued to show evidence-based success at developing emotional intelligence within personal and professional growth for emerging leaders in the organization. She is currently serving on the board of Midwest Special Services (MSS). She lives in Brooklyn Center and enjoys traveling and spending time with her niece and nephews.
Alexis Dagit
Chief Development Director
Alexis Dagit is the Chief Development Director at MAC. Ms. Dagit is an accomplished marketing and philanthropy professional with more than 15 years of experience in driving revenue growth, donor engagement, and strategic communications. Prior to joining MAC, Ms. Dagit held leadership roles in development with Animal Humane Society and Orchestra Iowa. In those roles, she grew relational and corporate giving programs, expanded patron services, drove revenue goals, enhanced community engagement efforts, and fostered a culture of philanthropy. With an extensive background in both communications and fundraising, Ms. Dagit excels at crafting compelling narratives and engaging content that inspire donors and stakeholders to passionately support an organization’s mission. Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, she relocated to Minnesota to be closer to her family who owns and operates The Winery at Sovereign Estate in Waconia, MN. When not fundraising, she enjoys spending time with her two children and four dogs, kayaking on Minnesota lakes in the summer, and cold plunging into them in the winter.
Jessica Peterson
Director of Human Resources
Jessica Peterson, SHRM-CP, M.Ed, is MAC’s Director of Human Resources. Ms. Peterson is responsible for leading the HR team and collaborating with leaders to drive recruitment, retention, engagement and compliance. Ms. Peterson was previously the Director of Human Resources at AirCare Health and has been HR Business Partner to both Allina Health and Gillette Children’s. She has a Bachelor’s of Music and a Master’s in Human Resource Development, as well as her SHRM-CP certification through the Society of Human Resources. Ms. Peterson previously volunteered in the Seward neighborhood and in North Minneapolis teaching English as a Second Language to adult learners in the community. Ms. Peterson loves spending time with her daughter and husband in South Minneapolis, running the trails across the city, figure skating as part of the Figure Skating Club of Minneapolis, crocheting, and random other new hobby opportunities as they present themselves.
