Appointee Profile: Karla Williams

Karla Williams has been appointed to the Jackson County Mental Health Fund Board.  Karla was born in St. Louis and graduated from Raytown South High School.  She received a BSBA from William Woods University, with an emphasis in accounting and minors in Mathematics and Political Science.  Karla settled in Columbia before moving to Lee’s Summit where she currently resides. 

She has an extensive career in banking and non-profit organizations and presently works for Pro Deo Youth Center as Community Relations Director.  Her community involvement includes a variety of organizations; Women’s Network of Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Assistance League of Mid-Missouri, Columbia Public School Board, Heart of Missouri United Way Board, Room at the Inn (overnight lodging for homeless), Boone County Functional Zero Task Force, Boone County Cradle to Career, Lee's Summit Sunrise Rotary, Feed Lee's Summit, Meals on Wheels, and Lee's Summit Chamber of Commerce.

Appointee Profile: Mary Barnes

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. ”

— Maya Angelou

Mary Barnes was appointed by County Executive Frank White Jr. to the Pension Plan Board of Trustees.  In this role she will serve as an advocate in an effort to strengthen and enrich the lives of county employees through Jackson County’s pension plan.

Mary Barnes has over 20 years’ experience in the legal, education, and non-profit sectors.  She is the Contract and Compliance Administrator for the Port Authority of Kansas City, Missouri where she drafts, reviews, and executes contracts for real estate, vendor services and construction.

Currently, Mary serves on the Awesome Ambitions Board, is involved with the South Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and is a member of Junior League of Kansas City and Greater Kansas City (MO) Chapter of Links, Inc.  Mary earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, Georgia.

Mary is an entrepreneur and is the founder/owner of One of A Kind Gifts a specialty business that incorporates her unique flair for elegant presentation through baskets and unique gifts.   She is committed to the empowerment of youth and works with children and teens in her local church, has served as a youth leader, and hosted a young women’s mentoring group and pageant.  In her spare time she enjoys traveling, shopping, interior design, and meeting new people. 

Mary is married to Jesse Barnes.

Appointee Profile: Bonnie Limbird

Governor Laura Kelly has reappointed Bonnie Limbird to the State Board of Technical Professions. The purpose of the Board is to register and license engineers, architects, surveyors, and landscape architects.

Bonnie Limbird is an interior designer at SFS Architecture in Kansas City. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Central Missouri. Though appointed to the Board in March 2020 as a Public Member, she is well-versed herself in the intricacies and requirements of professional certifications as a registered interior designer in the state of Missouri, a LEED AP, an NCIDQ-certified designer, and a professional member of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA).

Ms. Limbird has served as president of the local Mid-America IIDA chapter, on the steering committee of the Centurions Leadership Program, as president of the PTA, on the boards of both the Friends of the Johnson County Library and the Girls Scouts of NE Kansas & NW Missouri, and volunteered countless hours to all of these organizations before and after her appointments. She currently serves as a City Council member for the City of Prairie Village, Kansas, on the communications committee of the League of Women Voters of Johnson County, and as the business manager for the Girl Scouts Day Camp for her only child, Abi’s, service unit.

Ms. Limbird’s professional work at SFS, an AIA Firm of the Year in 2018, focuses mostly on furniture space planning and specification for the firm’s diverse portfolio of clients in the commercial, government, recreation, civic, liturgical, and higher education sectors. Finding the perfect solution for each client’s unique needs for their spaces to function efficiently and beautifully is where her expertise and passion lie. When not working, volunteering, or hanging out with her family, Bonnie is avidly reading anything she can get her hands on.

Ms. Limbird's term expires June 30, 2023.

Appointee Profile: Jennifer Ingraham

“I believe what we celebrate is a reflection of what we value.  The citizens of the Show Me State show us the very best of our Missouri values when they give of themselves in times of need. Whether it is steady, year-round volunteerism to our many nonprofit service organizations through AmeriCorps or coming through in times of crisis to save our farms and communities from the most recent floods, it will be a privilege to promote and recognize the service of these Missourians.”

— Jennifer Ingraham

Jennifer Ingraham has been appointed by Governor Parson to the Missouri Community Service Commission.  She is passionate about this role because of its mission to strengthen Missouri communities through volunteerism and service.   

Jennifer Ingraham is a working mother with 25+ years of experience in fundraising for the arts and higher education sectors. She is an Assistant Vice President for the UMKC Foundation where she provides strategic leadership for a number of university philanthropic priorities. Prior to joining the UMKC Foundation, Jennifer served in fundraising and/or corporate sponsorship roles with Kansas City Rep (where she led the capital campaign that resulted in a renovated and expanded theater), Park University, the University of Missouri-Kansas City, The Kansas City Star and the Kansas City Symphony.  

Jennifer serves the Greater Kansas City community through her board service to the PIEA Crossroads Arts Advisory Committee (appointed by former Mayor Sly James), Coterie Theater, Madam President Camp, Tri County Mental Health Services Foundation and WIN for KC. Jennifer also contributes time to the Greater Missouri Leadership Foundation, NonProfit Connect, UnitedWE Advisory Board, and her P.E.O. Chapter. Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a Minor in Music from Drury University and a Masters in Integrated Marketing Communications from the University of Kansas. 

Jennifer and her husband, Jason, have a daughter, Lauren (20), and a son, Evan (16).

Appointee Profile: Julie Holland

Julie Holland was appointed to the Kansas City Brownfields Commission by Mayor Quinton Lucas.  The Brownfields Commission was created by City ordinance to help redevelop brownfields and conserve public resources applied to brownfield projects. Brownfields are any vacant or underused properties, mostly commercial or industrial, where reuse is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination. Brownfields pose health risks and cause blight and economic and environmental burdens, especially in communities of color and urban areas. 

Julie leads the Parent Leadership Training Institute-Kansas City, an initiative that supports a healthy democracy by training parents to become leading advocates for children. She is also the Kansas City regional director of the Urban Leaders Fellowship, a national public policy and community impact summer fellowship for early-to mid-career professionals. Previously, Julie served as education advisor to former Kansas City Mayor Sly James where she authored and spearheaded the development of 15+ plans, federal applications, and community reports that propelled initiatives with new funding or a new strategy, including the People Plan for $30M grant for HUD Choice Neighborhood and $300M tax plan to expand access to affordable, high-quality pre-K.

Julie earned a B.S. from Oklahoma State University, M.P.A from Syracuse University, and a doctorate in law and policy from Northeastern University. She also worked at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central New York, and congressional offices in Oklahoma and Washington, D.C.

Appointee Profile: Elizabeth Williams

Elizabeth Williams (Liz) was appointed by County Executive Frank White, Jr. to the COMBAT Commission of Jackson County, Missouri. Jackson County COMBAT strives to ensure a strong, safe community for its residents free from the dangers of illegal drugs and violent crime through the use of prevention education, treatment services and support of the criminal justice system.  The COMBAT Commission establishes goals for COMBAT funding and make recommendations on all funding requests for COMBAT initiatives.

Liz holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Missouri- Kansas City and her work experience spans over 40 years across corporate, government, and non-profit organizations.  She has held positions as a performance analyst, advisor, coach, trainer, Director of Customer Relations and most recently as an education consultant.  Her diverse experiences from a variety of roles have enabled her to integrate her skills.  She is motivated by her passion for improving the community in which she lives.  As a retiree, she enjoys spending time giving back, from working with schools to deliver life-skill curriculum to facilitating parent advocacy training for the National Parent Leadership Training Institute. Her greatest accomplishment is her family, whom she enjoys traveling,  and spending time with. In her free time, she also loves reading an inspirational book.   

Appointee Profile: Carolyn Watley

Carolyn Watley was appointed this week to the Jackson County Missouri Pension Plan Board of Trustees.  The purpose of this 11-member board is to establish rules and to interpret and administer Jackson County’s pension plan.  Carolyn is VP of Community Engagement for the Employment Benefit Division of CBIZ and has served in a variety of roles in her 30 plus years with the company ranging from Office Manager to Manager of Corporate Accounts to Chief Facilitating Officer.  In 2000, Carolyn became the President of CBIZ Benefits & Insurance Services in KC before serving in her current role.  Her involvement in the community extends well beyond the workplace, as Carolyn has held a variety of civic roles in organizations including Board Chair of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, KC Rising Steering Committee, KCPS Foundation, MCC Foundation First Tee Foundation, KC Campus for Animal Health, Police Foundation of Kansas City and the KC MLB Urban Youth Academy.

“Carolyn’s deep roots in Jackson County businesses and communities make her an excellent addition to this Board of Trustees,” said Wendy Doyle, United WE President and CEO. “Carolyn shares our vision to increase gender diversity on boards and commissions and we look forward to seeing her great work on the Jackson County Pension Board.”

Carolyn holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration from Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.  She has four children, Shelby, Lori, Matthew and Ellen.

Appointee Profile: Cindy Miles

Cindy Miles was recently appointed by Governor Laura Kelly to the Kansas Volunteer Commission. The purpose of the Commission is to prepare a national service plan for the state, ensure outreach to diverse community-based agencies, and to administer certain grant programs.

““Congratulations to Cindy Miles on her appointment to the Kansas Volunteer Commission,” said Wendy Doyle, United WE President & CEO. “Cindy’s passion for serving her community shows in all that she does and her presence will be a valuable addition on the Kansas Volunteer Commission.” ”

Cindy is the CEO for the Kansas Nonprofit Chamber of Service and founder of The Incubator for Nonprofits of Kansas. Cindy is passionate about serving the community and serves on numerous nonprofit boards and committees including the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission, Wichita/Sedgwick County Subdivision Committee, City Council District 3 Advisory Board, the Wichita Coalition for Child Abuse Prevention, the Kansas Task Force for Drug Endangered Children, the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Coalition, the Newman University Alumni board, and more. Cindy earned a Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Marketing from Wichita State University and a Master of Business Administration from Newman University.  Cindy has been married to her husband, Mark Miles, for almost 30 years. They have 6 grown children and 16 grandchildren. 

Appointee Profile: Maureen Mahoney

Maureen Mahoney was recently appointed to the KU Hospital Authority Board. Mahoney works as Chief of Staff to Mayor David Alvey at the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas. Maureen has worked as a prosecutor but spent the majority of her practice centered around child welfare. She worked as General Counsel for KVC Behavioral Health, a large nonprofit organization that works with children and families and later served seven years as a Guardian ad Litem representing children in foster care in Wyandotte County. She joined Mayor Mark Holland as his Chief of Staff in April 2013 and stayed in that role for Mayor Alvey starting January 2018. She was also a director on the boards of numerous organizations including Wyandotte Mental Health Center (now Wyandot Behavioral Health.), Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System, MOCSA (Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault), and as a trustee at Pembroke Hill School. She currently serves as a board member of Lead Bank, Kansas City Area Development Council, Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, KCK PAL (Kansas City Kansas Police Athletic League), Donnelly College, and Arts KC. Maureen and her husband, Dan Crabtree, both grew up in KCK, love their hometown, and have chosen to continue to live and work in Wyandotte County. They are the proud parents of Colleen, a sophomore at UT in Austin.

"We are grateful for Maureen Mahoney's service to her community," said Wendy Doyle, United WE President & CEO. "The Appointments Project was created to increase gender parity on local boards, and Maureen's expertise will be a valuable addition to the KU Hospital Authority Board." 

Appointee Profile: Jacquelyn Rokusek

Jacquelyn E. Rokusek was recently appointed to the Johnson County District Court by Governor Laura Kelly.  Judge Rokusek was formerly the senior managing partner of Rokusek Stein Law where she developed a successful federal and state criminal law practice.  Judge Rokusek started her career as a Johnson County Assistant District Attorney and then accepted a position as a Special Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Kansas.  She then opened her own firm. She practiced law for 26 years before taking the bench and looks forward to serving the community where she has practiced law for so many years. Judge Rokusek is married to Mark Rokusek and they have a daughter, fraternal twin boys and two miniature schnauzers.  

"I congratulate Judge Rokusek on this significant appointment to the Johnson County District Court," said Wendy Doyle, United WE President & CEO. "Her leadership and expertise will strengthen the law community in Kansas and elevate women's decision-making power across the state."