Leadership
Driving Progress with Strong People and Ideas
Our Optimae LifeServices leadership team has a deep breadth of expertise that is a rich combination of mission, service and entrepreneurial spirit. It’s a unique recipe that has helped Optimae create an organization that not only meets the needs of customers today but continues to grow and innovate to identify the emerging needs of Iowans.
Our leadership philosophy is one that focuses on delivering high-quality care and support in human services while remaining nimble enough to flex and evolve our programs, services and people to best meet the unique needs of each community we serve.
Circle of Organization
Optimae LifeServices is a team of teams at all levels. We’re employee-owned, which means teams across our regions and divisions are empowered to make decisions locally and collaborate across the company.
Through a “centerless” circle of organization that strives to prevent a top-down structure, teams intersect as the circle rotates and they “dial in” other teams. This benefits all involved in the decision-making process as we use our diverse backgrounds, job functions, skillsets and perspectives to bring about the best solutions for our customers’ care.

Creating New Paths
When our leadership team recognized that many of our customers were facing barriers to finding supported employment, we envisioned a new way forward. Over the years, we’ve created nine microbusinesses that are owned and operated by Optimae and provide customers with work experience and greater financial stability.
Creating New Programs
Throughout our history, we have identified areas where new programs and services would benefit our communities. One example is our Intensive Residential Service Home (IRSH) program, created for individuals with complex mental health, disability and substance use disorder needs. In 2024, we opened our first IRSH to accommodate a currently underserved population.
Meet Our Leadership Team
Operations Team
Meet Optimae’s executive leadership team, or operations team — responsible for the day-to-day operations of Optimae.
Core Team
The core leadership team at Optimae has more than 150 years of combined experience in the health care and human services industries.
Regional Directors - Community Services
Division Leadership - Behavioral Health, Home Health & Rehabilitation Services
Department Directors
Board of Directors

At Optimae, we have a saying: “Do good. And have fun.” So long as we are doing those two things, we’re doing what is important to us and our customers.
William “Bill” Dodds | Chair of the Board of Directors
Doing Things Differently
Our leadership team has also created an organization that promotes employee ownership and fiscal responsibility. Our founders were the original stock members. Today, we have nearly 40 Optimae employees who are also stockholders.
Training Our Leaders
With education as a core value at Optimae, we invest in our employees. Our Optimae Leadership Institute (OLI) is a year-long training program that enhances leadership skills. Other training for leadership includes the annual leadership conference, bi-annual NADSP Frontline Supervisor Competency training, Captivate and Educate, monthly lunch and learns, an extensive online training library and DEIB-specific training.
The River of Life Award
In addition to training our leaders, we also recognize them for living out our core values by presenting employee awards. One of these is the River of Life award. This is the highest award a member of the Optimae family can receive, presented to an individual for demonstrating significant efforts in support of our mission, vision and core values.
Our most recent River of Life award recipient was Rishi Ahluwalia, service coordinator in Jefferson County, for going above and beyond to help a customer. Thanks to Rishi’s efforts, “The improvement in the customers’ quality of life is beyond words,” said Joanna Smith, community services director for Optimae’s Southern Prairie Region.
