Chris Evans became part of the Feed Northland Kids team as a steering committee member in July 2010. By October 2011, the secured funding for an Executive Director prompted Chris to leave her position as Development Director for another national nonprofit and become part of Feed Northland Kids full-time. With many years of nonprofit experience, plus her long-time community volunteer experience, Chris brings an understanding of the Northland community and a desire to make a difference in the lives of children.
Chris’s degree in Marketing, near-certification in nonprofit fundraising and a talent for coordinating people, projects and events is a great fit for Feed Northland Kids. In what seems like a previous life, Chris was a small business owner, television news production team member and a direct mail analyst. She lives in Kansas City with her husband and two daughters.
Michael Short: President. Michael is an investment banker, community volunteer and board member for several organizations in the Kansas City area. He received his law degree from the University of Missouri – Kansas City Law School, and was a practicing attorney for many years. As an officer of the Northland Community Foundation, Michael is a founding member of Feed Northland Kids.
Fred Mitchell: Vice President After a successful career as a mutual fund manager and Chief Investment Officer for a large mutual fund group in Kansas City, Fred founded Mitchell Capital Investments in 1987.He serves on several local community and business boards. He is a founding member of Feed Northland Kids.
Michael Atchison: Secretary. Michael Atchison has published two books — the novel XL and True Sons: A Century of Missouri Tigers Basketball.His writing on collegiate sports and popular culture has appeared in Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times, The Providence Phoenix and other publications. Michael formerly practiced law at a large Kansas City firm, working primarily in commercial litigation. He has long served on the boards of several local nonprofit organizations, focusing largely on education, at-risk youth and poverty. Michael lives in Parkville, Missouri, with his wife and two children.
Bob Pearson: Treasurer.Bob began his career with BKD, LLP and is the current Chief Financial Officer for Swope Community Builders. With numerous certifications and licenses, Bob uses his tax expertise to benefit many local councils and boards in the Kansas City area. He holds degrees from Kansas University, Tulane University and New York University.
Additional Board Members:
Tammy Bunch, Counselor, North Kansas City School District Tammy Bunch serves as the lead elementary counselor in the North Kansas City School District. In her work as an elementary school counselor, she has seen firsthand the effect that going hungry can have on a student.
Jamie Cummings, Owner, Tradebot, Inc. Originally from Colorado, former Surety Underwriter for Chubb Group of Insurance Companies in Kansas City. Served on boards of the Northland Community Foundation, Feed Northland Kids and KCPT. Partners with husband Dave for their business ventures and parenting their two children.
Chris Donnelli, Owner, Miller-Donnelli Agency
Brian Hall, Attorney, Brian Hall, PC Lifetime Northland attorney. Father of two, grandfather of three and supporter of children and children’s causes.
Andrea Allison-Putman, Chief People Officer, YMCA Chief People Officer with the YMCA of Greater Kansas City since 2011. She holds degrees from the University of Missouri and Friends University. Andrea volunteers with many nonprofit boards and is active in many civic and community organizations.
Martin Slimmer, IT, Cerner Martin Slimmer is responsible for technical support and social media aspects of “Feed Northland Kids”. He is married (living near Liberty, MO), and he has worked for Cerner Corporation for a number of years.
Wayne Valentine, Founder, Hearthside Homes, A life long resident of the Northland, He served as Business Manager of William Jewell College, a CPA/partner of BKD, and founder/CEO of northland area commercial and residential land development company. Currently retired.
Carey Wilkins, Co-founder, Evolytics Carey Wilkins is a Partner and President of Evolytics, one of the leading digital analytics consultancies in the United States. Carey lives in the Northland with two school-age children. Making sure that kids in neighboring communities do not go hungry over the weekend is an important cause for both Carey and her family.
Jamie Roach, Director of Fund Development, Harvesters – the Community Food Network Jamie is responsible for overseeing and managing all fundraising efforts to meet fundraising goals. Jamie holds degree’s from William Jewell College and UMKC. She holds several professional fundraising certifications.
Louise Welborn, Executive Director, Northland Community Foundation – After an extensive career in banking, Louise joined the Community Foundation in 2012. She has served on numerous nonprofit boards in the Northland and beyond including serving three years as Rotary District Treasurer and as the 2012 chair of the Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce.