Women’s Economic Development: Meet our Task Force Members
We are the first organization to take on an effort to strategically address economic development for women in Missouri, and are honored to be joined by an incredible group of women leaders across industries, locations and backgrounds. Governor Mike Parson has highly encouraged the establishment of this task force and it is also endorsed and supported by Missouri’s First Lady Teresa Parson.
It should come as no surprise that this is a group of immensely talented and passionate individuals who share our vision to elevate and advance women’s equity, and we are excited for the future! Thank you to our task force members.
Alexis Bundy, Compensation Manager, CoxHealth
Alexis Bundy is a driven and committed Human Resources professional. She is currently the Compensation Manager for CoxHealth in Springfield Missouri. Alexis is honored to be able to provide service for our healthcare heroes and the Springfield community. After earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Health Communications from Missouri State University, she entered the Human Resources world to explore her passion for working with the community and building others up.
Ally Siegler, MPH, Health Policy Strategist, Missouri Foundation for Health
Ally is a health policy and public health professional trained in policy analysis, program evaluation, research, and coalition building as a means toward achieving health equity across the state of Missouri. Ally has a Master of Public Health from Saint Louis University (2020) and a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Alabama (2017). Ally previously worked on policy and program evaluation efforts for non-profits in the St. Louis region. At MFH, Ally works to guide strategic investments to improve health and social safety net systems and programs in Missouri.
Alice Mangan, Veteran, Nurse & Small Business Owner
Barbara Washington, Missouri Senator
Senator Barbara Anne Washington, a Democrat, represents the 9th Senatorial District in the Missouri Senate. She was sworn into office on Jan. 6, 2021. Prior to being elected to the Senate, she served the residents of Jackson County in the House of Representatives for three years.
Senator Washington proudly supports increased economic development in her district – including preserving the notable “18th & Vine” district, increased funding for educational opportunities and universal health care for all. In her district, she regularly presents programs designed to bring attention to the importance of small business development, juvenile justice reform, minority mental health awareness, crime reduction and environmental preservation.
When she’s not advocating for her district, Sen. Washington volunteers with her beloved sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She is a member of the St. James United Methodist Church, the Metropolitan Community Colleges Board of Trustees, Urban Summit, Freedom, Inc., the Kansas City Boys/Girls Choir and the United Nations Association of Greater Kansas City.
In addition to her legislative duties, Sen. Washington is a practicing attorney who also possesses an MBA. She is a proud graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia’s famed School of Journalism. She obtained her Master of Business Administration from Avila University and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Senator Washington is a lifelong Kansas City, Missouri, resident. She has one daughter and two grandsons.
Carrie Tergin, Mayor, Jefferson City MO
Carrie Tergin is the owner of Carrie's Hallmark Shop in Jefferson City, and is also an artist and a photographer. Elected as the mayor of Jefferson City, she is a graduate of Missouri State University with a degree in business management. Tergin has served on the Jefferson City Council and boards of numerous civic and charitable organizations.
Cora Faith Walker, Chief Policy Officer, St. Louis County Executive Dr. Sam Page
Cora Faith Walker is Chief Policy Officer for St. Louis County Executive Dr. Sam Page. As the Chief Policy Officer, Walker leads the advancement of the County Executive’s policy priorities by delivering an integrated approach to policy development and external engagement through strategic oversight of government relations, regulatory affairs, and public policy operations. She is responsible for helping to develop and implement the County Executive’s policy agenda, liaise with experts in the issue areas of importance to the office, and use evidence and research to inform the direction of the County Executive’s actions and advocacy.
Previously, Walker served in the Missouri House of Representatives for one and a half terms, elected to her first term as a State Representative in November 2016. Walker is a licensed attorney who has extensive experience with working on crucial issues such as Medicaid Expansion and health reform and came to the legislature recognized as an expert in the field of health law and public policy.
Walker's work as a legislator earned her several local, state and national awards including the Empower Missouri-St. Louis Legislator of the Year, Washington University in St. Louis Brown School’s Distinguished Alumni Award, Missouri Primary Care Association Legislator of the Year, NARAL Pro Choice America Rising Star Award, and EMILY’S List Gabby Giffords Rising Star nominee. Walker earned her Bachelors of Arts from Washington University in St. Louis, where she also attended graduate school and earned her Master of Public Health as part of the inaugural MPH class at the Brown School of Social Work. She received her Juris Doctorate and Health Law Certificate from the St. Louis University School of Law before starting a career as a health care attorney.
Kara Corches, Director of Legislative Affairs, Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry
As the Director of Legislative Affairs, Kara Corches advocates for a wide variety of issues areas for the business community, including agriculture, education, energy, health care, tech, and workforce development.
Before joining the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, she served as the chief lobbyist for the California Optometric Association in Sacramento for numerous years. Corches also worked in political affairs at the California Farm Bureau Federation. Prior to her entry into state-level politics and advocacy, Corches worked at the federal level in Washington, DC for the American Medical Association and a member of Congress. In her various roles over the years, she has developed expertise in political action committee fundraising and management as well as mobilizing networks of grassroots advocates.
Corches earned a Master of Public Policy and Administration degree from California State University, Sacramento where she conducted original research on Medicaid policy. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in speech communication from Baylor University.
Kathy Wunderlich, Program Associate, Hawthorn Foundation
Kathy (Beatty) Wunderlich has been a resident of St. Louis since 1998, having been born and raised in Hinsdale Illinois. After leaving the active duty Marine Corps, Kathy’s husband, Rob, returned with his family to St. Louis to join Wunderlich Fibre Box (est. 1860), which was one of the first 100 incorporated businesses in the State of Missouri.
Along with raising three sons, Kathy has 15+ years of experience in event planning, project management, marketing and nonprofit development. Kathy spent over 12 years in various roles at Northern Trust Bank in Chicago and Dallas, then helped to open their office in St. Louis. Along with being an extremely active community volunteer, Kathy served two area nonprofits as their interim Development Director and has sat on eleven different boards. After running her own business for four years, Kathy happened to see an opening at Hawthorn Foundation and it seemed like an exciting next step.
Kathy received a B.A. from DePauw University in Greencastle, IN. She is a member of Delta Gamma Sorority, currently serving on the Delta Gamma Center board. She was recently named to the Board of Trustees of Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana. Kathy is also the proud owner of a small parcel of Midwest farmland that has been in her family for four generations.
Katie Steele Danner, Executive Director, Greater Missouri Leadership Foundation, Inc.
Katie Steele Danner is a multi-faceted senior executive and small business owner with four decades of public and private sector experience. The current Executive Director of the Greater Missouri Leadership Foundation, Inc., she has dedicated her life to encouraging women leaders who can flex across a variety of sectors and leadership styles, and who can create unique solutions in partnership with others.
She received her degree in Business Administration and Public Administration from Truman State University and has held senior executive roles in the health, social services, commerce, community development, and hospitality industries. A former member of the Missouri House of Representatives and a previous Senior Executive Service federal employee as well as the Director of various Administrative Offices for the State of Missouri, she has a unique appreciation for the dynamics of strategic, non-partisan, and bi-partisan partnerships.
Her husband, MG (retired) Stephen Danner served as Missouri’s Adjutant General and has recently returned to private law practice following over 40 years in the United States Army. Katie actively supports military families and chaired the Family Advisory Council for the Missouri National Guard for over 10 years and remains active in advocacy for military families. She is currently on the Armchair Telethon Advisory Board, the Thank You Walt Disney Building Development Committee, and is a member of the InnovateHER KC Women’s Leadership Alliance. She was named to the debut class of Ingram’s Magazine “Fifty Missourians You Should Know” in 2011, was selected as a Kansas City Woman of Distinction in 2012, was honored at the Tribute to Success: A Celebration of Women in 2016 for her role as a founding board member of Ava’s Grace Scholarship Foundation (advocating for and raising monies for social justice and paths to education for children of incarcerated parents), and was inducted into the Missouri Tourism Hall of Fame for her work developing the state’s tourism strategy that brought in a record number of visitors to Missouri.
She is an avid sports fan and in addition to be a founding member of the KC National Women’s Soccer League (KC NWSL) she also follows the Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs, the Cardinals, Royals, Blues, Sporting KC and Mizzou, and enjoys playing tennis and golf. The Danners have four children and will welcome their ninth grandchild in July and tenth in November. Last July they adopted a new dog who was born in Lamar, Missouri. His name is Truman.
Kellie Ann Coats, Executive Director, Missouri Women’s Council
Kellie Ann Coats was appointed to serve as the Executive Director of the Missouri Women’s Council in October of 2017. In this role, she leads the council’s efforts to support and advocate for women owned businesses throughout the state of Missouri. Currently, her duties are focused on workforce development programing that serve justice-involved women in state correctional facilities.
Prior to joining the Missouri Department of Economic Development, Kellie Ann served in various fundraising capacities spanning a decade at the University of Missouri. Most recently, she held a leadership role at MU Health Care promoting their mission and vision through fundraising and advocacy.
She is a graduate of the Missouri Chamber Leadership Class of 2019, Greater Missouri Leadership Challenge Class of 2018 and Columbia Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class of 2013. Kellie Ann has served as a member of the Hawthorn Bank Business Leaders Council since 2015. She earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science from the University of Missouri. Kellie Ann lives in Columbia, Missouri with her husband, Derek and son, Carter.
Kim Wallace Carlson, Director of Engagement & Entrepreneurship in Public Affairs, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
Kim Wallace Carlson is the director of engagement – entrepreneurship in Public Affairs for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, where she develops and executes strategic communications plans, engages entrepreneurship ecosystem partners and stakeholders, and protects and grows the Foundation’s national entrepreneurship brand.
Prior to joining the Kauffman Foundation, Carlson was a senior website and content strategist for DEG, where she led content strategy for DLR Group, Olathe Health System, Waddell & Reed, Ferrellgas, and others. Her experience includes development and implementation of communications campaigns, cross-channel digital marketing plans, and branding and strategy projects with C-suite leadership.
Previously, Carlson was a web and social media manager at the Kauffman Foundation and was a content strategist and copywriter for VML. She also was an assistant editor and web editor for Natural Home magazine.
She is a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City and is a member of the agency’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force. In addition, Carlson serves on the advisory board for the Appointments Project & Ready to Run Kansas Women’s Leadership Series, a collaboration between United WE and the University of Kansas Institute for Leadership Studies. She is a graduate of the Kansas City Tomorrow leadership engagement program, an initiative of the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City. She is also a member of the 2020 class of NextGen Leaders, a program of the Kansas City Business Journal that recognizes emerging Kansas City business leaders.
Carlson earned a Bachelor of Science in journalism from the University of Kansas with a minor in sociology.
Lupita Fabregas, Director, Missouri 4-H Center for Youth Development
Lupita Fabregas is originally from Mexico, She immigrated to the United States in 2002. She studied her undergraduate degree in Monterrey Tech in Agriculture Engineering and Animal Sciences, her master’s in Education from UPAEP and Doctoral Degree in Agricultural Education, at Oklahoma State University. She works for a Mexican university for 29 years. In 2013, she accepted a position at Oklahoma State University College of Human Sciences, she was there for two years. She moved to California and worked at the University of California in Davis as the 4-H Assistant Director for Diversity and Expansion, from 2015-2019 leading the largest 4-H inclusion and Diversity initiative in the United States. In 2019, she accepted the position as Director of the Missouri 4-H Center for Youth Development. She and her team from California will receive the 2021 National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals (NAE4-HYDP) National Diversity and Inclusion Award for their work with Latino communities. She the former National Leader for the 4-H Latino Advisory Committee and the founder of the ESP Latino Affinity Group. Lupita’s interests in research and professional development areas are, Intercultural Competency, Diversity, Multiculturalism, as well as the Development and Integration of the Hispanic Communities in the United States.
Malorie Raulerson, Attorney, Poplar Bluff & Cape Girardeau Region
Malorie is a native of Pemiscot County, Missouri and her family has farmed in Pemiscot County for five generations. She attended elementary and high school at South Pemiscot and attended college at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism – emphasis in Public Relations. Malorie attended the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law, where she graduated with her Juris Doctorate. After graduating law school, she returned home to Pemiscot County to begin serving her neighbors and friends. Malorie is a licensed attorney in both Missouri and Arkansas; her goal is to provide the community and surrounding areas with much-needed estate planning services and legal advice.
Rosana Privitera Biondo, President, Mark One Electric
Rosana Privitera Biondo (pictured above with her brothers) is a founding employee of Mark One Electric Co., Inc., a specialty electrical contracting firm in Kansas City. She also sits on the EDC’s Executive Committee and is Chair of the EDC Marketing Committee.
In 1994, after 20 years with the company as an employee and as Secretary/Treasurer, Rosana became the President and an owner of Mark One. She currently oversees the day-to-day operations of the company with all eight departments reporting directly to her. Rosana’s primary focus is to continue to build Mark One’s successes, to ensure that it will be here for the next generation. Under her leadership, and with the support of her tremendous staff, Mark One Electric has grown into one of Kansas City’s top ten Electrical Contractors. “Economic Development in Kansas City Missouri matters to me because it’s good for all, not just one,” says Privitera-Biondo.
Sarah Hough, Sr. Mgr. of Community Affairs and Diversity Outreach, Bass Pro Shops
Sarah Hough is the Senior Manager of Community Affairs and Diversity Outreach for Bass Pro Shops, North America’s premier outdoor retailer and conservation company based in Springfield, MO. She is responsible for developing the company’s philanthropic giving and community outreach programs. She currently manages national partnerships and grant programs designed to inspire the next generate of outdoor enthusiasts to develop their relationship with nature, including Outdoor Adventures, a collaboration with the National Wildlife Federation and YMCA. She also oversees the Bass Pro Cares Fund, the company’s employee relief program that has granted more than $1M since 2016 to outfitters experiencing a personal hardship.
Prior to joining Bass Pro Shops, she worked for the Downtown Springfield Association, a non-profit focused on the economic development and revitalization of Downtown Springfield.
In her spare time she enjoys hitting the local Greenway trails on bike or foot and splashing in the local lakes and rivers with her two boys.
Susan Coatar, Former Vice President, Centene Corporation
Susan Coatar is a former vice president at Centene Corporation. Prior to joining Centene, Coatar worked at the St. Louis Regional Health Commission and served as a Coro fellow in Public Affairs. She holds a Juris Doctorate from St. Louis University School of Law and bachelor’s degrees in political science and Spanish from University of California, Los Angeles.
Tara Bradley, Active-Duty Military Police & Dept. Chair, Dept. of Military Science, Univ. of MO
Lieutenant Colonel Tara K. Bradley is a career Military Police Officer in the Active Duty Component of the U.S. Army. She graduated from Auburn University in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Psychology and a received a Master of Arts degree in Business and Organizational Security Management from Webster University in 2007. received her commission as a 2D Lieutenant in the Military Police Corps.
Lieutenant Colonel Bradley’s military assignments include all aspects of the Military Police Corps, from Combat Support to Law Enforcement. She has served in multiple assignments geared toward the education, progression, and training of Soldiers and Officers. Lieutenant Colonel Bradley has deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 05-07 and 07-09.
She is a graduate of a number of professional certification programs and has received a number of military awards and decorations, to include the Bronze Star and the Military Police Corps Order of the Marechausee. Lieutenant Colonel Bradley is also married and a mother of four wonderful children.
Terri Barr-Moore, Director Of Government Relations at Kansas City Area Transportation Authority
Terri Barr-Moore joined the KCATA in November of 2019 and has more than 25 years of experience in government relations and legal and community affairs. In her role as the director of government relations and community engagement, she supports the CEO, as well as the entire executive team, by serving as the liaison to members of congress, elected and appointed officials and their staffs, key community stakeholders, and faith-based and educational groups. Barr-Moore also keeps the KCATA’s federal, state and locally elected officials informed about capital projects, the RideKC brand and services. Prior to her time with the KCATA, Barr-Moore served more than a decade as the political director, field representative and office manager for U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, and was a paralegal for 15 years. Barr graduated with a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Missouri – Kansas City.
Zora Mulligan, Commissioner of Higher Education, State of Missouri
Zora Mulligan was appointed Commissioner of Higher Education by the Coordinating Board for Higher Education on August 3, 2016. She had previously worked as chief of staff for the University of Missouri System (2014-2016), executive director of the Missouri Community College Association (2010-2014), assistant commissioner and general counsel for the Missouri Department of Higher Education (2007-2010), and assistant attorney general for the Missouri Attorney General’s Office (2003-2007).
A native of West Plains, Missouri, Mulligan received her juris doctorate and master’s degrees from the University of Kansas, and her bachelor’s degree from Drury College. She lives in Jefferson City with her daughter Anna Lea.