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Nonprofit Connect welcomes six new directors to the 2019 Board of Directors

Nonprofit Connect welcomes six new directors to the 2019 Board of Directors

Nonprofit Connect welcomes six new directors to the 2019 Board of Directors.

Lynne Brown Nonprofit Connect Board Member
Lynne Brown
Lynne brings more than 25 years of experience to her role as Vice President of Strategic Consulting at iBossWell, Inc. Lynne has presented many Nonprofit Connect trainings on board development and strategic planning, and iBossWell is a committed supporter of Nonprofit Connect programs.
 
When asked why she wanted to serve as a board member, Lynne said:
“There is tremendous alignment between my personal and career commitment to working with for-purpose organizations and the Nonprofit Connect mission. We both spend every day helping organizations that are trying to do good in the world do that work more effectively.”

Rita Cortes Nonprofit Connect Board Member 
Rita Cortes
Rita serves as the executive director of the Menorah Heritage Foundation, where she guides the Foundation, in partnership with the Foundation Board, toward achieving its vision through grantmaking and resource stewardship. She is active in Nonprofit Connect’s Funders Forum series.
 
When asked why she wanted to serve as a board member, Rita said:
“I am interested in supporting the nonprofit community and being a resource as needed.”

Drew Elliott Nonprofit Connect Board Member 
Drew Elliott
For over five years Drew has been active in the growth of KCPT- Kansas City PBS and currently serves as Director of Membership and Donor Engagement. Drew lead the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Kansas City (YNPNkc) as Chair from 2014 - 2018, and served as an ex-officio member for the Nonprofit Connect board. Drew is also a 2017 graduate of Nonprofit Managers Institute.
 
When asked why he wanted to serve as a board member, Drew said:
“I’m a huge fan of Nonprofit Connect! I think the mission of Nonprofit Connect is really important to our Kansas City community, for all sectors and citizens, and I would like to continue to do my part to help the organization grow and evolve.”

Martin Kraus Nonprofit Connect Board Member 
Martin Kraus
Martin is the Director of Finance and Service Center for Unbound, where he leads the organization’s financial team as well as directs the center that handles over 1.4 million pieces of correspondence per year between sponsored children and elderly around the world and their benefactors. Unbound is a longtime Nonprofit Connect member, and their staff are active participants in many Nonprofit Connect programs.
 
When asked why he wanted to serve as a board member, Martin said:
“I’ve seen first-hand that Nonprofit Connect helps organizations like mine and others to complete our mission. I believe that my involvement with Nonprofit Connect will allow me to help many other valuable causes by extension.”

Leslie Sims Nonprofit Connect Board Member 
Leslie Sims
Leslie has been with RSM US LLP for nearly 16 years, currently as an Audit Partner. She has served on Nonprofit Connect’s Finance Committee for over 6 years, and RSM is a supporter of many Nonprofit Connect programs.
 
When asked why she wanted to serve as a board member, Leslie said:
“In my professional life, I refer clients to Nonprofit Connect as much as possible, and have looked for ways for my firm to also support Nonprofit Connect. I’ve also learned a lot about being a board member, and believe I can make a meaningful contribution at that level.”

Precious Stargell Cushman Nonprofit Connect Board Member 
Precious Stargell Cushman
As CEO of Community LINC, Precious Stargell Cushman leads one of Kansas City’s leading service providers focused on stabilizing, empowering and rehousing homeless families. She currently serves on Nonprofit Connect’s Advocacy Committee.
 
When asked why she wanted to serve as a board member, Precious said:
“I welcome the opportunity to join Nonprofit Connect to continue to advance the great work already being done as well as identify areas of additional support. This opportunity is very personal and I commit to leverage all of my experiences to courageously be the change I seek – improving lives and our community.”

“Lynne, Rita, Drew, Martin, Leslie and Precious are not only engaged with Nonprofit Connect, but are plugged into the Kansas City nonprofit community as well. I’m excited for the new perspectives and experiences that they will each bring to our board.” said Luann Feehan, Executive Director of Nonprofit Connect.
 
In addition, Nonprofit Connect is pleased to announce the officers for the 2019 board.
 
President
Valerie Nicholson-Watson, Harvesters
 
Vice President
Macaela Stephenson, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City
 
Treasurer
Leslie Sims, RSM US LLP
 
Secretary
Jake Jacobson, Children’s Mercy
 
Past President
Tondee Lutterman, BKD LLP
 
The Nonprofit Connect Board of Directors brings together esteemed representatives from the nonprofit sector, for-profit businesses and community funders to maximize the organization’s capacity to serve over 700 professional members. For a full list of the Nonprofit Connect Board of Directors, visit https://www.npconnect.org/our-board.
 
About Nonprofit Connect
Nonprofit Connect is a regional association for nonprofit organizations that provides professional development, resources and a career center for Kansas City’s nonprofit sector. Nonprofit Connect’s mission is to link the nonprofit community to education, resources and networking so organizations can more effectively achieve their missions.
 
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