Who We Are
Kayla Effertz Kleven
Principal Consultant
A lifelong North Dakotan, Kayla earned undergraduate degrees in Marketing and Communication and later, a Master’s in Educational Leadership. Her background in agriculture and education served her well as Governor Hoeven and Dalrymple’s Senior Policy Advisor with portfolios in education, agriculture, and tax. Kayla’s background in business development and advocate for education was key when she worked with the ND Department of Commerce working with businesses to further on-the-job training for high school and college students.
Lisa Feldner
Principal Consultant
Lisa Feldner has over 30 years of experience in technology, business, primary, secondary, higher education, and state government.
Lisa, a native North Dakotan, excelled in higher education and received multiple degrees in education, computer science and business along with her doctorate in educational leadership.
Following her work with the Bismarck Public School System, Lisa was appointed as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the State of North Dakota and served under Governors Hoeven and Dalrymple. As CIO, she oversaw technology for state government and education including the statewide network, hosting services, software development, security, customer support, and K-12 education technology services.
Most recently her professional roles included both the Chief of Staff and the Vice Chancellor for Information Technology and Institutional Research for the North Dakota University System. Lisa’s focus areas that moved the state forward included broadband mapping, health information exchange, criminal justice information sharing, Medicaid and eligibility information systems, and the state’s longitudinal data system.
Terry Effertz
Principal Consultant
Terry is a native North Dakotan and earned both a law degree and transportation law certificate from the University of North Dakota in 2018.
During this time she gained experience as the President of the Student Trial Lawyers Association, President of the Moot Court Board, a Dean-appointee to the Honor Board, and was chosen by her peers to deliver the graduation banquet address. She represented North Dakota in the American Bar Association as the Lt. Governor of Professional Development for 8th Circuit Law Schools, and was the sole North Dakota representative at the Harvard Food Law Policy Clinic and American Bar Association Air and Space Law Conference during the 2017-2018 academic year.
JIM HAUSSLER
Principal Consultant
Jim Haussler is a graduate of Monango High School in Monango, North Dakota. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Jamestown College in 1978 with a double major in History/Political Science and Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER). Haussler obtained his Master degrees in Educational Administration and HPER from South Dakota State University in 1983 and his Doctorate in Educational Administration from the University of North Dakota in 1994.
Haussler most recently served as the manager of the MDU Resources Bismarck Community Bowl over the last nine years, taking a break from 2018-2019 to serve as Interim Superintendent for Bismarck Public Schools. In 2015 he retired from his 23-year tenure from Bismarck Public Schools as Activities Director.
Prior to serving as AD in Bismarck, Haussler taught and coached at Finley-Sharon High School and New England High School. He also accepted his first administrative position at Aberdeen Central High School in 1983 serving as the school’s assistant principal and athletic director. From 1984-1992, Haussler served as assistant principal for both Bismarck High and Bismarck Century. Haussler was inducted into the North Dakota High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2013 and the National High School Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame in 2024.
Jim and his wife, Julie, a retired teacher at Mandan Middle School, have five children and five grandchildren.
Firm Personnel
Clare Carlson
Advisor
Pam Sharp
Advisor
Taylor Stricklin
Client Support Specialist