Leadership Team - Easterseals Arkansas

Ron Ekstrand

President & CEO

Ron Ekstrand, President and CEO of Easterseals Arkansas since December 2019, brings over 30 years of leadership experience, including a decade as an executive within the Easterseals movement and 25 years in various for-profit businesses. Under his guidance, Easterseals Arkansas has seen substantial growth, increasing its annual budget from $23M to over $46M and expanding its workforce from 525 to over 850 employees.

Before leading Easterseals Arkansas, Ron served as Sr. Vice President of Network Advancement and Affiliate Relations at the national office of Easterseals in Chicago for two years. During this time, he also served as Interim CEO for five months. Earlier in his career, Ron spent eight years at the affiliate level of Easterseals, including a four-year tenure as CEO of TouchPoint Autism Services, the largest autism services provider in Missouri at the time. Ron’s leadership at TouchPoint involved a successful turnaround, a name change/rebranding, two nonprofit mergers, and an affiliation with Easterseals, resulting in the creation of Easterseals Midwest with an annual budget exceeding $80M. He then served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Easterseals Midwest for four years. Prior to his roles within the Easterseals network, Ron accumulated nearly twenty-five years of executive leadership and consulting experience in financial management, insurance, healthcare, and management consulting. Ron holds an MBA from Washington University, where he also served as a part-time adjunct faculty member teaching courses on service excellence. His life partner, Deanna Lewis, is the current CEO of Easterseals South Carolina.

Stephanie G. Smith

EVP/Chief Operating Officer

Stephanie Smith’s extensive experience in working in the field of supporting and coordinating the services for indivudals with disabilities is directly linked to her passion of ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability, receives fair and equitable opportunities at life.

She has served as a provider representative and advocate for children and adults with disabilities on multiple workgroups with the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Arkansas Department of Education, and the PASSE managed care entities helping to define and write regulations and procedures that support the delivery of high quality services and care for children and adults with disabilities in compliance with state and federal mandates. She has had an integral role in developing the logic for data pulls and analyzing the data used by DHS and providers to answer legislative questions on the spend, growth and utilization of various DD services and to support rate adjustments that align with increased costs of providing services.

Recognized in 2009 as the CFO of the Year by Arkansas Business, Stephanie is a certified public accountant. She specialized in the audits of non-profit organizations and insurance companies prior to joining Easterseals in 1993.

Mac Bell

Vice President of Development and Communication

Mac Bell has dedicated his career to making a positive impact on the community. He has spent 14, of his 20-year career, with Easterseals Arkansas in nonprofit marketing and development leadership, contributing significantly to the organization’s growth and success. Driven by a genuine desire to help others, Mac utilizes his knowledge of fundraising, volunteer management, and marketing to create meaningful change.

His commitment to making a difference extends beyond his professional life; he actively participates in various community activities, including the finance committee of his church and membership in Rotary Club 99. Mac and his family have also played an active role in supporting public schools. Their dedication was recognized when they were honored as the Roberts Elementary Volunteer Family of the Year. Additionally, Mac took a leadership role by co-chairing the LRSD Next millage debt extension campaign.

Beyond his professional and community endeavors, Mac finds joy in his family life. He cherishes spending quality time with his loved ones and supporting his children in all their activities. His favorite pastime is indulging in his passion for cooking, followed closely by the enjoyment of sharing those meals with friends and loved ones.

Monic Isom, SHRM-CP

Vice President of Human Resources

Monic Isom, a seasoned Human Resources professional from McGehee, Arkansas, boasts over 25 years of diverse industry experience, including banking, hospitality, manufacturing, healthcare, nonprofit, and retail sectors. Holding certifications as a certified professional in human resources (SHRM-CP) and completing specialized programs in veterans’ workforce integration and workplace diversity and inclusion, Monic demonstrates her commitment to fostering equitable workplaces. She has a Master of Art in Human Resources Management from Webster University.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Monic actively contributes to her community as a board member and Vice Board Chair at United Arkansas Credit Union. She is also a dedicated member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Delta Omega Omega Chapter in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

In her personal life, Monic finds fulfillment in her marriage to Rickey Isom and their three adult children, one of whom has an intellectual disability. Monic’s passion for HR excellence, community service, and inclusivity drives her impactful contributions in both her professional and personal spheres.

Suzie Baker, M.Ed., OTR/L

Vice President of Children’s Services

Suzie Baker received a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Central Arkansas and her Master’s Degree in Special Education from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. She has more than 35 years of experience providing intervention and consultative services for children, families, and teams in Early Intervention, K-12 schools, and outpatient clinics.

She worked as a consultant supporting education professionals through the development of professional learning opportunities and implementation of programming related to school-based therapy, assistive technology, and sensory processing disorders. She assisted with creating and publishing the Guidance for School-Based Occupational Therapy in Arkansas Public Schools and served on the Arkansas School-based Therapy conference leadership committee. She also served for several years on the board of the Arkansas Council for Exceptional Children.

She is an advocate for children with physical, developmental, and emotional challenges. Suzie works tirelessly towards her goal of facilitating collaboration between teachers, administrators, and families resulting in increased independence and educational success for children in their school, community, and home environments.

David Ivers

VP of External Affairs & General Counsel

David Ivers is an accomplished legal professional with a distinguished career spanning several decades. As a partner at Mitchell, Blackstock, Ivers & Sneddon, PLLC in Little Rock, AR, he demonstrated unparalleled expertise in healthcare law, policy, and legislation.

David’s career, marked by exceptional achievements, showcases his passion for advocating the rights of individuals with disabilities. A respected author, David’s articles and books provided critical insights into healthcare reform, Medicaid, and managed care. His work earned recognition, including the prestigious Burton Award. David earned his law degree from the William H. Bowen School of Law, University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 1992.

His exceptional career reflects his commitment to advancing healthcare policy, ensuring due process, and advocating for meaningful legislative change.

Becky Mansfield

VP of Residential Programs

Becky Mansfield is a dedicated healthcare administrator with a proven track record in managing long-term care facilities.

With extensive experience spanning several decades, Becky has excelled in roles such as Director of ICF/ID Programs and Director of Residential Programs at Pathfinder, Inc. Her expertise includes personnel management, program development, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Throughout her career, she has overseen the operation of multiple facilities, implemented training programs, and played a vital role in COVID-19 prevention protocols. Becky is recognized for her exceptional organizational skills, time management, and compassionate approach to client care. She holds a Nursing Home Administrator License and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Sociology, both earned with honors. Additionally, her certifications in CPR/First Aid, Medical Terminology, and Dementia Well-Being Specialist underscore her commitment to professional development.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Becky enjoys outdoor activities like kayaking and hiking, reflecting her adventurous spirit. With a proven dedication to enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families and a resilient, proactive approach to challenges, Becky Mansfield continues to make significant contributions to the community through her role at Easterseals.

Brad Hagan

Vice President of Adult Services

Brad Hagan comes to Easterseals with a wealth of experience and a commitment to enhancing the lives of individuals in need. Overseeing adult programs at Easterseals Arkansas, Brad guides initiatives such as the Roommate Housing program, CES Waiver services, the Center for Training & Wellness, the post-secondary program in collaboration with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, ACCE, and the high school transition program, SET for Success.

He has a broad background in management and a record of improving efficiency and productivity within organizations. With a forward-looking perspective, Brad’s focus is on the expansion of services within the realms of community housing, secondary education, and community employment.

Prior to Easterseals, Brad served as Chief Programs Officer at the Arkansas Enterprises for the Developmentally Disabled, and before that role, he served as the Director of Community and Education Supports Waiver at AEDD. He is a member of the Little Rock Consolidated Planning Committee as well as the UA-Pulaski Tech Advisory Board.