FosterAdopt Connect's Dedicated Team of Foster Care Professionals
For more than 20 years, we have worked to support children and families navigating the child welfare system in Missouri and Kansas. We have offices and staff serving in the regions of East Kansas, West Missouri (HQ), and Southeast, Southwest, Northeast, and Southeast Missouri. Led by our President and CEO, Lori Ross, we help children and families heal from the effects of abuse, neglect, and trauma.
Board of Directors
FosterAdopt Connect’s Board of Directors is a group of committed civic leaders who set the direction for and oversee the performance of our organization. They serve as vitally important ambassadors from FosterAdopt Connect to the community.
Melanie McDole – Enterprise Holdings, Inc. | Chair
Ben Brouse – Hostess Brands | Treasurer
David Woods – Hughes, Hubbard & Reed
J. Eugene Balloun – Shook, Hardy & Bacon
Ken Marker – Wells Fargo Advisors
Margi Pence – Community Volunteer
Raimonda Shelton (King) – AdventHealth Shawnee Mission
Tim Decker – Consultant
Clayton Yearns – Dell | Vice Chair
Ivan Cortes – Littler Mendelson P.C. | Secretary
Douglas Gertner – Retired
Jessica Smith – Louis Dreyfus Company
Madison Hatten – Shook, Hardy & Bacon
Mark Hegarty – Shook, Hardy & Bacon
Stephen Kaine – Children’s Mercy
Wes Engram – Integrity 9 Sports & Entertainment
Meet the team of leaders shaping the future of children in foster care:
Helping Hands Advisory Council
The Helping Hands Advisory Council is a critical auxiliary board to FosterAdopt Connect Southwest Missouri. It is made up of energetic leaders working to make a difference in the lives of kids and families in their community who have been affected by trauma. Their responsibilities include:
Raising community awareness of the needs of children who have experienced abuse or neglect, and showing how FosterAdopt Connect works to make a difference.
Raising money and resources to support FosterAdopt Connect’s work in Southwest Missouri.
Assuring children in foster, adoptive, and kinship homes have the same opportunities as other children in their communities by helping with holiday activities, assisting with back-to-school preparation, helping with educational expenses for teens, providing opportunities for extracurricular activities, and so much more!
