Appointee Profile: Teresa Miller

Teresa Miller was appointed By Kansas Governor Laura Kelly to the Governor’s Commission on Racial Equity and Justice. Teresa recently joined the Kansas Health Foundation (KHF) as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in May 2021. She brings more than six years of experience serving in state government in Pennsylvania, most recently as Secretary for the Department of Human Services. In this role, Miller led a department working to address health disparities and racial inequities, finding innovative ways to address social determinants of health like food insecurity, housing and employment, connecting Medicaid enrollees to work supports, redesigning employment and training programs for Pennsylvania’s lowest income residents and supporting Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable residents through the pandemic. As the leader of the department, Miller oversaw a staff of approximately 16,000 and a total budget of more than $45 billion.

Prior to her time at Pennsylvania DHS, Miller served as the state’s insurance commissioner, beginning in 2015. As commissioner, Miller renewed the department’s commitment to consumer protection and reestablished an emphasis on consumer education and financial literacy in partnership with other state agencies, consumer groups, and advocates across Pennsylvania. Miller led the Insurance Department through attempts to replace the Affordable Care Act and advocated across Pennsylvania and to the United States Congress in defense of the law and how it has helped more than a million Pennsylvanians directly access health coverage and countless others through its consumer protections.

Before coming to Pennsylvania, Miller held leadership roles in the federal government’s Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and was administrator of the insurance division at the State of Oregon’s Department of Consumer and Business Services. Currently, Miller is serving on the Congressional Budget Office’s Panel of Health Advisers, providing feedback on federal policies and legislation that affect health care consumers.

A native of Oregon, Miller received a juris doctor from Willamette University College of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Psychology from Pacific Lutheran University.

Appointee Profile: Denise Ryerkerk

Denise Y. Ryerkerk, AIA, was recently appointed to the Jackson County Plan Commission.  Denise is a registered architect with over 30 years experience, primarily in the federal public sector. Her project management experience includes major systems and tenant renovations, historic preservation, disaster recovery, sustainability, and security and blast upgrades.  Her current focus is on project planning and development,  process improvement, building accessibility, and coordinating design reviews.  She holds a Bachelor of Architecture and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Iowa State University, and a Masters of Architecture in Management from the University of Kansas.  She is married with a teenage daughter.

Appointee Profile: Emily Cramer

“After attending some networking events with the Appointments Project, I knew I had to apply.  I was recently appointed to the Roeland Park Community Engagement and Racial Equity committees and am so excited to play a more active role in these spaces.”

— Emily Cramer

Emily Cramer was appointed to the Roeland Park Community Engagement and the Racial Equity Committees.  As a Senior Specialist, Culture & Development at a legal tech company, Emily supports corporate training and professional development programs.  She loves helping colleagues discover and capitalize on their strengths, which ensures they bring their best selves to work each and every day.  She also works part-time for KCSourceLink, a local entrepreneurial support organization that is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses in Kansas City. About a year and a half ago, Emily moved to Roeland Park and absolutely fell in love with the tight-knit community.

Appointee Profile: Teresa Coyan

Teresa Coyan was appointed by Missouri Governor Mike Parson to Chair the Missouri Mental Health Commission. Teresa moved to the Springfield area in 2003 to attend Missouri State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in Business Management with an emphasis in entrepreneurship (2005). Shortly after, she completed a MBA through Webster University. In 2008, Teresa began her career at CoxHealth and has had enjoyed several roles throughout her 13 years with the organization. Currently, serving as Vice President of Public Affairs, she is the liaison between CoxHealth and local, state, and federal elected officials, business leaders, and the Southwest Missouri Communities we serve. Teresa is also active in a variety of community organizations, which include serving as the Chair of the Legislative Policy Committee for the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, a member of the United WE. Public Policy Coalition, board member for the Foundation for Springfield Public Schools, and board member for the Missouri Chamber. Recently, Teresa was appointed by Governor Parson to serve as a Commissioner for the Department of Mental Health.  She was a graduate of Leadership Springfield (class 27) and previously served as a board member for the Board of Public Utilities and the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. Teresa has been married for 15 years to her husband, Justin and they have two children, Connor (7) and Kinley (5).

Appointee Profile: Susan B. Wilson

Susan B. Wilson was appointed to the Jackson County, Missouri Mid-Continent Public Library Board.  Susan B. Wilson PhD MBA is a licensed clinical psychologist with a multifaceted career in education, healthcare administration, consulting, clinical and media work. She currently serves as principal of Wilson and Associates, an organization that focuses on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), training, program development and consulting. Wilson retired recently from the role of Vice Chancellor of the Division of Diversity and Inclusion. In this chief diversity officer role, she led a diversity organizational development strategy including diversity and inclusion assessment, planning and initiatives for students, faculty, and staff and community.  

Wilson has over twenty years of mental health and diversity-related experience. She previously served as Associate Dean for Diversity and Community Partnership at UMKC School of Medicine. For the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC), Wilson was the Central Region’s representative for the Group on Diversity and Inclusion (GDI). She also developed a diversity training program for mid and upper management for the Central Region of the Federal Aviation Administration. During a time of racial tension, she was a consultant to four local school district superintendents to assess the diversity climate and offer training and recommendations.  Wilson has also provided training and diversity consultation to many business and government organizations, and served on the Mayor’s Human Rights Commission.

Wilson attended the University of Pittsburgh, where she earned a B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. in clinical psychology and an M.B.A. from the Bloch School of Business at UMKC. Wilson has held leadership positions in several notable health and behavioral healthcare organizations in the Kansas City area, including Swope Health Services and St. Luke’s Health System. She has also served as a consulting psychologist to the National Football League and the Kansas City Chiefs and a host and contributor of a news, culture and arts radio magazine show for KCUR 89.3 FM, the Kansas City affiliate of NPR. 

An avid reader, Wilson credits libraries as serving as a “life line” and a sanctuary while growing up in the Hill District of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.  Wilson is also an avid enthusiast of the arts. She is an art collector, and a frequent theatre and concert-goer as well as a financial supporter of the arts.

A 2018 winner of the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce ACE Award for Diversity and Inclusion, Wilson has contributed her time and skills to numerous civic and community endeavors. Some highlights include the Jackson County COMBAT Commission, Missouri Department of Mental Health Cultural Competency Committee, and the Statewide African American Mental Health Taskforce.  She is a former member of the Healthcare Foundation of Greater Kansas City and is Chair of the Prime Health Board. She also serves on the Kansas City Crime Commission. Wilson is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and the Links, Inc., both public service organizations.

Appointee Profile: Mary Shannon

Mary Shannon was appointed by County Executive Frank White, Jr. as a district four member to the Jackson County Ethics, Human Relations, and Citizens Complaints Commission.  Mary is a small/diverse business advocator. She is the founder of Connectus Worldwide, a certified professional consulting firm that specializes in the delivery of services to Minority, Woman-owned, Veteran, and LGBTQ Business Enterprises, as well as majority organizations wanting to become more intertwined in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. She is passionate about her work and possesses decades of experience and knowledge that blends corporate strategy and business solutions with entrepreneurial spirit and personalized service. Prior to starting Connectus Worldwide, Mary managed a supplier diversity program for Hallmark Cards for several years.

Mary is on the Leadership Council for the National Small Business Association in Washington D.C., serves on the Board for the International Association of Women, KC Chapter, and the Prospect Business Association. She is a community partner with the Kansas City SCORE Community Strategic Alliance, a philanthropic member with the Sister’s Circle of Greater KC, and a Black Achiever in Business and Industry, Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater KC.  She holds a Master of Arts in Management from Webster University. Mary lives, plays, works, and worships in the greater Kansas City, Missouri area.

Appointee Profile: Jacquelyn Eidson

Jacquelyn Eidson was appointed to the Jackson County Ethics, Human Relations, and Citizen Complaints Commission (District 5) by County Executive Frank White, Jr.  Jacquelyn is a SBDC business counselor through the UMKC Innovation Center. Jacque's background includes strategic planning, entrepreneurship, transformational coaching, and teaching at the collegiate level. A Blue Springs resident, Jacque is actively involved in United WE, PREP-KC, KC Mom Collective, and KC Scholars. In addition to being an Organizational Psychology PhD candidate working dutifully on her dissertation, Jacque, along with her husband, is an unpaid Uber driver and cheerleader for her four children.

Appointee Profile: Joni Wickham

Joni Wickham was recently appointed by Governor Mike Parson to the Senate Independent Bipartisan Citizens Commission, tasked with redistricting Missouri Legislative maps.  Joni is co-founder of Wickham James Strategies and Solutions, providing services in public and government relations, mediations, public policy, and leadership development.  Prior to launching her consulting business with former Kansas City Mayor Sly James, Joni spent eight years with the mayor’s office—the majority of them serving as Chief of Staff—Joni has proven herself as an accomplished political strategist, communications expert, and organizational leader. She directed public policy initiatives, communications tactics, and administrative decision-making during her tenure, all while promoting women’s leadership and empowerment issues. 

Joni has worked with the American Federation of Teachers, the Missouri Department of Transportation, and in the office of Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan. While a student at Meredith College, where Joni received her Bachelor of Arts in political studies, she studied abroad in St. Petersburg, Russia. An accomplished alumnus of University of Missouri where she earned her Masters of Arts in political science, Joni was the recipient of the 2019 University of Missouri Truman School of Public Affairs Mel Carnahan Public Service Award.

Appointee Profile: Junetta Everett

Junetta Everett was appointed by Governor Laura Kelly to the Wichita State University Board of Trustees.  Junetta, class of 79’ Wichita State University (WSU) and its first African American Registered Dental Hygienist graduate, joined Delta Dental of Kansas (DDKS) in 1987 serving as the Vice President of Professional Relations for 27 years. Recently retired after 33 years, Everett was responsible for the statewide and national relationships, recruitment, credentialing and overall support of the dental network. She is very involved in the community serving on several boards including the Kansas Health Foundation, Wesley Hospital, Equity Bank and WSU Foundation and National Advisory Council. She previously served as president on the WSU SASO Board.  In 2020 she served as the first person of color and 6th female to Chair the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and is currently servings as the Chamber’s Interim Director of DEI.

Junetta whose passion is intentional inclusion has been honored with numerous awards including the WSU Distinguished Alumni Recognition Award, WBJ Leaders in Diversity, Women Who Lead and Women in Business awards, and the RSCK 2020 Citizen of the Year award. In 2020 she was inducted into The Kansas African American Museum Trailblazer’s Hall of Fame. 

Junetta is married to WSU 78 Alum, Victor Everett, Retired State Farm Agent and the proud parents of five sons and 8 ½ grandchildren.

Appointee Profile: Tracee Adams

Tracee Adams was appointed by Governor Laura Kelly to the Wichita State University Board of Trustees.  Tracee serves as president, founder and chief strategist at Hawthorn Capital LLC, an investment and wealth management firm located in Wichita. Ms. Adams has several years of experience in the financial services industry, including as a financial advisor for four years at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. She also worked at New York Life Insurance Co. for two years as a producer, while simultaneously working as a financial advisor for NYLIFE Securities – a subsidiary of this organization – for a year. Ms. Adams is actively involved in her community. She currently serves on several nonprofit trustee and governance boards, and public boards of trustees, including for the Urban League of Kansas, Junior League of Wichita and pubic fiduciary of the Wichita Police & Fire Pension Fund and Joint Investment Committee, and A Director of the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in pre-law/sociology from the University of Maryland.