Tonya Auck, PMHNP-BC, MSN, RN

Tonya is a board certified mental health nurse practitioner that has been providing quality care in the community since 2012.  She obtained her Masters of Science in Nursing degree at University of North Dakota.   She was born and raised in New Rockford, North Dakota moving to Bismarck in 2001.  An active member in the community. She can be found volunteering at church, fishing, spending time with family, playing volleyball, and working out.  

Jeanine Larson

Jeanine is a highly accomplished communications professional with over two decades of experience in public relations, marketing and media. With degrees in broadcast journalism and communication from Penn State University, she brings a creative and polished approach to speaking, writing and strategizing.

Actively involved in her community, Jeanine serves as a board member for the American Diabetes Association, is a religious education teacher at her Church and is an ambassador for Giving Hearts Day. Passionate about effecting positive change for children, she aims to leverage her extensive communications expertise as a board member of Prevent Child Abuse North Dakota to raise awareness and drive impactful initiatives.

Jeanine resides in West Fargo with her husband, two children, and their family dog.

Austin Schauer

Rep. Austen Schauer was first elected to the North Dakota House in 2018 representing District 13 in West Fargo. He was re-elected in 2022 and just completed his third session.

Rep. Schauer is chairman of the Government and Veterans Affairs committee, House GOP Caucus chair and Employee Benefits Program committee. He is also a member of the Industry, Business and Labor Committee.

Austen’s legislative passion is working for the needs of abused children, crime victims and veterans. He is also adamant on healthy communication within State Government.

Austen is a retired news anchor, reporter, and producer. He spent 36 years in the TV news business, mostly in Fargo working for WDAY-TV and KVRR-TV.

Austen is also a fundraiser but looks forward to retiring from that role. With a team approach, Austen has helped raise nearly $20 million for Calvary Church in Moorhead, Park Christian School, Feed My Hungry Children, and the Fisher House at the Fargo VA.

In 2017, Austen helped a start-up recruiting business called ProSource. He remains there as the business development manager.

Austen graduated from both Dickinson State University and UND in communications. He has been married to Angie since 1978 and together they have three grown children and 10 grandchildren. Austen and Angie are members of Submerge Church in West Fargo.

Megan Thompson, Secretary

Megan has been a Family Coach at Jeremiah Program, a non-profit organization that works to disrupt the cycle of poverty two generations at a time, for over 4 years. She has a strong passion for helping families be successful, happy, and safe. Megan earned her master’s degree in educational leadership from NDSU where she worked in Residence Life for 8 years. Megan is so excited to be a part of the FFND Board where she can work with other individuals to help make a difference for children and families.

Jay Meier

Jay retried as a Dean of Students at Bismarck State College and continues to work in state government at Job Service ND.  His career has focused on education, mental health, and counseling.  Working on boards has been a part of his past and looks forward to being a part of the FFND Board to support those doing the daily work of making a difference in the lives of children and families.  He spends much of his time with his wife (Kateri) 2 daughters, their spouses, and 5 grandchildren. This time with family may include fishing, Jay’s favorite outdoor activity.

Melandie Deplazes

I was raised in a small town, with a population of less than 100 named Ryder, North Dakota, which is about 40 miles SW of Minot.  My family later moved from town to the country.  My father was a diesel mechanic that also farmed and ranched, my mother was a school counselor.  I graduated with a class of six from North Shore High in 1994.  Completed my Associate of Science Degree in Legal Assistant at Minot State University1997.  In 1997, I married my first husband, and had twin boys in 1998, and later divorced in 2000.  In 2004 I met my current husband Brad, married in 2005 and moved to Devils Lake, North Dakota.  We had yours, mine, and ours blended family.  Brad has three girls, Heidi, Abbi, and Emily from a previous marriage, I with my twins Nicholas and Gregory, and together we have a girl Nora and a boy Carl, seven in total.  After moving to Devils Lake, I started working for the public schools as a Special ED paraprofessional and later went and received my substitute teaching license.  I started working with Safe Alternatives for Abused Families (SAAF) in 2007 working as a volunteer on the crisis hotline and then would come work in the office part time when needed.  Later I was offered a full position as a child advocate in 2009.  From there I kept getting promotions and moving up to direct services and outreach coordinator, assistant director, and later became the Executive Director.  In 2014, I left SAAF and went on to work for the Salvation Army until 2017.  In 2017 I decided to leave the non-profit sector and go into the for-profit and worked for Horizon Financial Bank as a HAS/IRA Administrator and Deposits Accountant. In October of 2019 I received a call asking if I would be interested in coming back to SAAF and reclaiming the Executive Director position.  Of course, I jumped at the chance to come back to SAAF and take on that role of Executive Director.   I hold several certifications, licenses, and credentials.  I also serve on several State and Community boards.