Executive Director
Deb Ohlde was appointed Executive Director in May 2025. Prior to this role, she served as the Assistant Director of Strategic Initiatives. Deb specializes in strategic planning, small group facilitation, and proposal writing/project management within the public and non-profit sectors. She initially joined the North Central Regional Planning Commission (NCRPC) in 1994 and served in a variety of roles culminating in Assistant Director, through 2016. Afterward, she stayed connected to community development while operating her consulting company, NEW Heartland Freelance. She also served as the Director of Grower Services for Kansas Corn before rejoining the NCRPC in 2022. Deb holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Kansas State University. She has completed the Economic Development Finance Professional certification through the National Development Council and the Community Development Institute at the University of Central Arkansas. She is a trained Entrepreneurial Learning Initiative facilitator and recently completed the Remote Work Leader course through Utah State University.
