The Northern Hills Training Center has a new leader — and a familiar one. Laura Wendland has returned to the organization as CEO after previously spending 20 years with NHTC. She says the center plays a vital role in the community by supporting adults with developmental disabilities through residential care, day services, and employment programs.
Wendland began her career as a direct support professional in 1996 and later led the day program and case management for more than a decade. She calls her return a homecoming and says her focus now is strengthening the workforce, improving stability, and modernizing systems so staff and clients can thrive.
NHTC faces national challenges common in disability services, including DSP burnout and funding that hasn’t kept pace with rising costs. Wendland says her goal is to build a culture rooted in belonging and inclusion, ensuring people with disabilities remain valued members of the Northern Hills community.
