Our People
A message from our CEO, Chris Rosson:
At United Way of Greater Kansas City, we believe in the power of community. Our community is facing tough challenges: from soaring costs for housing, utilities, food, and medical care to increased violent crime. Our community is also strong, resilient, and together, finds a million ways to be united.
2023 was a year of building upon a dynamic roadmap of thoughtful and progressive action toward a better Kansas City. We listened and responded to our community’s needs with real-time solutions, which was especially evident as we began 2024.
KC Strong
A call to turn our collective outrage into action showcased the true power of our community. In response to the February 14th mass shooting following the Chiefs parade, United Way partnered with the Chiefs to create the KC Strong fund to quickly and responsibly deploy over $2M in direct assistance to victims and their families, while also supporting work in the areas of violence prevention and mental health, and to assist first responders.
Inflation Relief to Families
Thanks to support from generous community donors, we delivered more than $5.7M in direct assistance, including $1M in prepaid debit cards averaging just more than $900 each to individuals and families in need. While funds were not restricted, we saw the vast majority of dollars were utilized to meet basic, everyday needs including housing, clothing, food and transportation. This is on top of our ongoing commitments in the areas of eviction prevention and utility assistance.
KC Current
This year we were also named Kansas City Current’s Official Charity Partner, and are proudly displayed on the front of kit. This is just one of the exciting new ways we are reaching new audiences and getting creative about how we enhance our impact and reach. As a part of this partnership, a percentage of all ticket and kit sales are directly reinvested back into the community through United Way. Moving forward, United Way and KC Current will be working hand in hand on projects to advance our community.
Catalyzing the Work
In addition to the nearly $8.SM in grants made through Impact 100 and individually designated grants, United Way also invested more than $2M into small nonprofits led by or primarily serving communities of color. This funding has been game-changing for organizations that often face significant challenges in accessing capital. Grant dollars have helped nonprofits hire staff, add programming, expand physical space and so much more. We know it takes diligence, patience, and passion to get where we’re going. Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication to our mission to create a Kansas City where all can thrive.
Our Leadership Team
Chris Rosson
Chief Executive Officer
Nora Freyman
Chief Marketing Officer
Jessica Blubaugh
Chief Philanthropy Officer
Ann Gaffigan
Chief Operating and Financial Officer
OUR STAFF
Amber Abram, Manager, Creative Services
Amelia Crowl, Vice President, Corporate Partnerships
Amy Haas, Coordinator, Guest Services
Andres Chaurand, Manager, Community Partnerships
Andriana Sanchez, Manager, Facilities
Ayannah Haskin, Senior Community Resource Navigator
Ayesha Baig, Manager, Events
Brian Shapley, Afterhours Contact Center Manager
Brittany Connor, Director, Corporate Partnerships
Brooke Tippin, Director, Events
Callie Knust, Resource Center Manager 211
Cheryl Adler, Vice President, Finance
Chrissy Rapp, Vice President, Operations
Cody LeGreca | Manager, Corporate Partnerships
Demetria Warrior, Accounting Services Specialist
Dustin Wolfe, Vice President, Corporate Partnerships
Emily McVey, Manager, Impact Operations and Critical Medical Needs
Essence Yancey, Director, Community Partnerships
Gabrielle Jacobs, Manager, Development Operations
Hannah Boehm, Director, Events
Hilda Caballero, Donor Services Assistant
Jackie Feeney, Vice President, Philanthropy
Jadell Foutz, Staff Accountant
Jim MacDonald, Senior Advisor & Solutions Architect
Joey Schmidt, Director, Corporate Partnerships
Judy Simonitsch, Donor Services
Justin Grawe, Manager, Corporate Partnerships
Karen Gettinger, Director, Impact Operations
Kenzi Hoyle, Vice President, Corporate Partnerships
Kera Mashek, Director, Communications
Kimberly O’Hare, Manager, Donor Choice
Kristen Engelbrecht, Director, 211
Latrice Parker, Resource Specialist, 211
Lauren Hogle, Manager, Corporate Partnerships
Lenetta Warren, Day Contact Center Manager 211
Libby Buss, Senior Executive Assistant
Matthew Applebury, Data Analytics & Salesforce Manager
Mike Lager, Director, Philanthropy
Nichelle Renaud, Donor Services Assistant
Nikki Jones, Director, Donor Services
Pete Stedman, Vice President, Information Technology
Safiyah Grant, Accounts Payable Specialist
Sammy Snow, Manager, Corporate Partnerships
Sean Callahan, Director, Data and Insights
Stephanie Clark, Manager, Development Operations
Todd Jordan, VP, Community Impact & Exec. Dir. 211
Vickie Riddle, Emergency Food & Shelter Coordinator
Virginia Trickey, Manager, Communications
Board of Trustees
Board Officers
Greg Sweat
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Kansas City
Board Chair
Dana Jermain
Deloitte
Board Vice Chair
Patrick (Duke) Dujakovich
Greater Kansas City AFL-CIO
Board Secretary
Bill Johnson
Kansas City Board of Public Utilities
Board Treasurer
Laurie Roberts
Immediate Past Chair
Our Board Members
Amy Hatch, Polsinelli
Art Silva, Helzberg Diamonds
Arthur Cheatham, Spire Missouri
Beto Lopez, Guadalupe Centers
Brad Markes, KPMG
Carol Levers, Kansas City, Kansas Public Libraries
Chris Rosson, United Way of Greater Kansas City
Dan Crumb, Kansas City Chiefs Football Club
Deonne Christensen, Mazuma Credit Union
Dred Scott, Kansas City Civic Council
Ed Elder, Colliers International
Ginger Williams, OPTUM
Greg Shondell, Heathwood Oil Co., Inc.
Irene Caudillo, Unified Government of Wyandotte County, KS
J. Randall Vance, Sunderland Foundation
Jason Sinnarajah, Kansas City Royals
Kevin Zimmermann, HTLF Bank
Laurie Minard, Garmin
Mario Azar, Black & Veatch
Mark Moreland, Lockton Companies
Mary Bristow, J.E. Dunn
Michael Youngs, General Motors Fairfax Assembly and Stamping
Michelle Kay, Enterprise Mobility
Mike Perry, Hallmark Cards, Inc.
Penny Postoak Ferguson, Johnson County Government
Robin Winner, Synergy Services
Ron Coker, Burns & McDonnell
Rosemary Podrebarac, Attorney-Private Practice
Ryan McMonagle, Custom Truck One Source
Sara Lancaster, BOK Financial
Shannon Johnson, UMB
Shawn Long, The University of Kansas Health System
Shellie Clausen, Heartland Coca-Cola Bottling Company
Tom Carignan, CommunityAmerica Credit Union
Troy Schulte, Jackson County Government