Staff

Alicia joined HCF in 2015. Previously, she worked at Zimmerman Associates, Inc., which operates document control rooms for various government agencies. She has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.

Keonna joined HCF in 2014. Previously, she was the team lead at Zimmerman Associates, Inc., which operates document control rooms for various government agencies.

Before joining HCF in 2015, Donna served as executive director of the Resource Development Institute, coordinator of the Jackson County Safe Family Coalition, and adjunct faculty at the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Social Work. Her areas of focus are child abuse prevention, mental health and criminal justice program evaluation, and system and reform collaboration as it relates to family violence.

Brenda joined HCF in 2010 and is a co-lead for Healthy Communities. She works closely with a variety of organizations focusing on policy and community environmental change in the healthy eating and active living field. Prior to joining HCF, Brenda worked as a program officer and community relations manager for Hallmark Cards, Inc. She has served on a number of boards of health care delivery and youth-serving organizations. She earned her Master of Science in Management from Friends University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Park University.

Since 2005, Karen has managed grant applications for HCF and provided guidance to countless grantees. Before joining HCF, Karen worked for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and was a Peace Corps Volunteer stationed in Senegal, West Africa.

Paula joined HCF in August 2016. Previously, Paula enjoyed a 15-year career at Sprint in diverse roles including operations, sales, finance and human resources. She has also served in leadership at the CASA Project of Jackson County and The Children’s Place. Paula has recently served on the board of 20/20 Leadership and was a member of the Leadership Kansas class of 2008. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and her Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Kansas.

Graciela joined HCF in 2005. As a program officer and the co-lead for the Safety Net Health Care RFP she is responsible for recommending and implementing the strategic direction of the Safety Net RFP as well as reviewing, recommending and monitoring of grants and special initiatives. She has experience in Health Homes/Medical Homes, Health Information Technology (HIT), Health Information Exchange (HIE), Community Health Workers, Clinical Integration and Care Coordination.

Christena joined HCF in 2016. Previously, she has worked in several leadership positions at Miller Management Systems, a public accounting firm specializing in nonprofits. She has prior experience with several other nonprofit organizations, as well as private industry. She earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration from Missouri Western State College.

Andres is a program officer focusing on Safety Net issues and the co-lead of the Safety Net RFP. He is also the technical assistance provider for grantees. Before joining HCF in 2007, Andres served a senior community affairs advisor for the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and a director and senior program officer at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Andres’ focus interests include social determinants of health and violence prevention.

Bradford Hart joined HCF in 2015 and is a co-lead for the Mental Health funding area. Previously, Brad was a managing director with Carnevale Associates, LLC, a national public policy consulting firm. Brad earned a bachelor’s degree in politics from Princeton University and a Master of Business Administration from Georgetown University.

Jessica joined HCF in 2008 and works with HCF and board members to develop state and local legislative agendas. She also serves as HCF’s point person for policy initiatives and provides support and advice to grantees who wish to engage in advocacy. She earned her Master in Public Administration in health policy from the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University.

Bridget is the president and CEO of HCF. Her professional specialty is internal medicine, with a focus on chronic disease management of low-income, uninsured adults. Before joining HCF, Bridget was the medical director of the Shared Care Free Health Clinic and the health policy advisor for the Local Investment Commission (LINC).

Victoria joined HCF in 2015 as an administrative assistant. She is the primary administrative support for the Community Advisory Committee. She graduated from Truman State University with a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Interdisciplinary Studies, International Health.

Shannon joined HCF in 2015. Previously, Shannon had served as program manager of residential services for SAVE, Inc. In doing so, he managed mental health support services for homeless populations. Shannon also has more than 18 years of experience in public child welfare and child abuse prevention. His focus areas include child welfare and family violence interventions, family violence system collaborations, homeless programs, and support services for HIV/AIDS populations.

Jane joined HCF in 2007. She oversees all evaluation and research efforts and is also responsible for a small portfolio of grants. Prior to joining HCF, Jane was an assistant research professor at the Harry S Truman School of Public Affairs at the University of Missouri Columbia.

As administrative assistant for HCF, Melanie is responsible for events coordination, contacts management, and reports maintenance. She also serves as the administrative assistant for the board’s Administration & Logistics Committee and the Health Literacy Initiative.

Adriana joined HCF in 2007. Prior to joining HCF, she served as the director in Education and Community Initiatives for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Adriana focuses on academic achievement, civic engagement, community development and health equity. She earned her Master of Science in Education from Kansas State University and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Missouri Kansas City.

Jennifer is the communications officer at HCF. She is responsible for all communications from HCF, including traditional media, social media, the website, and all other electronic and print communications. Before joining HCF in 2006, Jennifer was the manager of media relations and corporate creative design at Truman Medical Centers and worked in collegiate athletics at the Western Athletic Conference and the University of Kansas.

Yolanda joined HCF in 2016. She is a Certified Administrative Professional with 15 years of experience in key roles working with nonprofit and for-profit organizations. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Business from the Central Christian College of Kansas.

Rick is chief financial officer of HCF. Rick’s background includes senior positions in both the private and not-for-profit sectors. Rick served 17-years in executive financial positions for two Fortune 500 companies in the pharmaceutical and home health care industries. Prior to HCF, Rick’s not-for-profit career began in 1997 where he was the Kansas City Managing Director of a national Harvard University initiative aimed at developing inner-city entrepreneurship. He also founded and managed a small CPA firm for ten-years as well as served as a full-time professor in accounting and entrepreneurship at Missouri Western State University.