Who We Are
Pathway Design Group was created in 2017 by Claressa Millsap and Martha Lofquist. Their combined success in healthcare operations, development, strategy, and human relations was their driving force. Together they have a shared passion for strengthening an organization's most valuable asset - its people.
We are proud to be a human capital consulting team that helps organizations focus on their people by giving them the tools, strategies, and support that strengthen their foundation. Our team of consultants is dedicated to transforming your culture, strengthening your leaders, and delivering changes that will sustain you well into the future. We get to know each organization and customize our approach to ensure we meet your specific needs.
Claressa Millsap
Owner & Consultant
Claressa was born and raised right here in Kearney, Nebraska and is proud to call this community her home. She is an active member of the Worship Arts Ministry at her church and loves to play the piano. In her free time, she enjoys running, biking, and kayaking with her husband and sister, spending time with her kids and grandkids, and attending church services and events.
Claressa Millsap has an MBA and over 30 years of healthcare experience with 23 of these years in various healthcare leadership roles. Her healthcare organizational focus is in rural, non-profit, and for-profit health entities. Her areas of expertise are in organizational leadership, executive coaching, CEO of a critical access hospital, business development, strategic planning, process improvement, organizational and cultural transformation, and human capital development. She is also a facilitator of LEAD, Achieve Global, Day of Culture, Planetree, and Performance Culture. Her purpose is to enable people to connect the clinical and business aspects of a healthcare organization to improve the delivery of care to patients.
Martha Lofquist
Owner & Consultant
Martha comes to Nebraska from Valparaiso, IN. Now a Nebraskan, Martha made her home in Kearney after meeting her husband and planting their family roots. She is active in her church and is part of the core team for an adult bible study group. She also enjoys reading and spending time with her husband, daughter, family, and friends.
Martha Lofquist has her Master’s Degree in Human Resources Management and over 20 years of healthcare experience with 13 of these years in various healthcare leadership roles. Her healthcare organizational focus is on rural, non-profit, and for-profit healthcare entities. Her areas of expertise are in organizational leadership, human resources, executive coaching, business development, strategic planning, process improvement, organizational and cultural transformation, and human capital development. She is a facilitator of LEAD, Achieve Global, Day of Culture, Planetree, and Performance Culture. She is a Myers Briggs Type Indicator Practitioner and an instructor of Working Genius. Martha and Claressa have also created materials and programs for leadership development. Her purpose is to see individualized potential in others and help them maximize their strengths.
Abbie Castaneda
Promotion & Publicity Manager
Abbie, who was also born and grew up in Kearney, spent several years moving from coast to coast with her husband and kids before permanently relocating back to “The Good Life.” She enjoys going on walks with her family and dogs, photography, and gardening.
After working at a local business for many years and learning more about business management, Abbie realized just how passionate she is about helping businesses creatively and effectively market themselves. Her love for all things business led her to pursue and receive a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a minor in marketing and management.
Beth Dush
Administrative Specialist
Beth is a Nebraska native and, with her husband, has raised her children to be the same. She spends a great deal of time with her family taking care of the family acreage, which includes various animals. Beth loves horseback riding, gardening, baking, and spending time with family and friends while supporting her children in their various activities.
Beth is extremely organized and is energized by accomplishing tasks and completing projects while focusing on excellence. She has over 25 years of administrative assistance experience and holds an Associate Degree in Secretarial Sciences.
Madisyn Dowling
Business Administration Specialist & Consultant
Madisyn grew up in Kearney, Nebraska in a faith-based family and now resides in Hastings, Nebraska. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a minor in Family Studies from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. She places an emphasis on family, faith, and travel with her husband to give her a vantage point in discovering and exploring countless possibilities.
Her areas of expertise are in business administration, clinic management, human resources, process improvement, operational growth, and professional development. She has served many communities while working with Pathway Design Group and provides a dynamic perspective when working in rural, non-profit, and for-profit healthcare entities. Her purpose is to enhance the lives of the teams she works with through problem-solving, analytical thinking, improvement of finances, and organizational success.
Brenda Lamb
Healthcare Development Specialist & Consultant
Brenda grew up Polk, NE and has had the opportunity to live in Wyoming, Florida and Colorado before making Gretna, NE her permanent home. She is active within her church and places her faith, family and work in that order to keep her grounded.
Brenda’s background has focused on all areas of healthcare operations within a physician enterprise, rural health, and a corporate structure. Her strategic outlook has allowed her to be successful and learn a variety of skills to help develop and cultivate a better outlook for tomorrow. Her Bachelor’s in Healthcare Management and Master’s in Human Relations and Business has sharpened her experience to help teams build a brighter future.
Brenda’s areas of focus are strategic planning, business development, executive recruitment, executive coaching, process improvement, clinic and culture assessment and improvement, project management, clinic design of the future, negotiations, and human capital development.
Victor Lee
Healthcare Executive & Consultant
Vic has more than 50 years of healthcare experience, with over 30 of these years as a CEO. He has an organizational focus in rural and non-profit healthcare entities. His areas of expertise are in service line development, provider recruitment, improving financial performance, strategic planning, healthcare construction, EMR transitions, increasing employee and patient satisfaction, and facility turnarounds. He has been recognized by Becker’s hospital review as “one of the top 50 CEO’s to know”.
Vic’s purpose is to assist facilities in preparing for a new CEO by helping the Board, employees, and medical staff during the transition for a successful new start. His journey has allowed him to assist the Pathway Design Group on an as needed basis to still allow him to enjoy his retirement.
Ruth Stephens
Executive Leadership Consultant
Ruth was born in Beatrice, NE, but growing up as a “preacher’s kid” took Ruth’s childhood to several states including Nebraska, Kansas, and Pennsylvania. She returned to Beatrice after graduating from Goshen College, Goshen, IN. with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Following in her mother’s footsteps she spent 20 years working with patients at the bedside in both the hospital and clinic environment.
Following several years in a leadership role, Ruth discovered this was her passion and she completed her Master of Science in Nursing Administration at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, NE. Her leadership expertise expanded as she gained experience as a clinical supervisor, manager, director, and Chief Nursing Officer, eventually moving into the role of CEO.
Ruth’s career from bedside nurse to the C-Suite has given her a global perspective of hospital operations. She has a strong focus on collaborative leadership and enjoys coaching and mentoring leaders. Ruth believes in servant leadership and focuses on the growth and well-being of people in the organizations and communities she serves.