Board of Visitors

Steve Dunn

Steve received his BSBA- Marketing from Rockhurst University in 1974. Steve
retired from J. E. Dunn Construction in January, 2019 after a 44 year career with
the company. He served in many leadership roles including Chairman of the Board
of both J. E. Dunn Construction Company and J. E. Dunn Construction Group, Inc. 

The Honorable Tom Gordon

Tom Gordon is a former federal Administrative Law Judge for the U.S. Department of the Interior, and a former President of Avila University, a Catholic University located in Kansas City, Missouri. During his career as a trial lawyer in Kansas City, Tom occupied many positions of leadership in both civic and Catholic organizations.

Jen Shang

Jen Shang is the world’s first PhD in Philanthropy. She is also the world’s only philanthropic psychologist. Her research has been covered in the New York Times, BBC, The Guardian, the Chronicle of Philanthropy, Advancing Philanthropy and the Nonprofit Times. Jen has been published in numerous academic journals including, the Journal of Marketing Research, Marketing Science, the Economic Journal, Experimental Economics, Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, and Nonprofit Management and Leadership. Her research has been funded by the Society of Judgment and Decision Making, the National Science Foundation, The Aspen Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and the Hewlett Foundation.

Gail L. Freeman

Gail L. Freeman is Founder and President of Freeman Philanthropic Services, LLC (FPS), a national leader
in executive recruitment for the not-for-profit sector, specializing in recruiting leaders for higher education
institutions, hospitals, academic medical centers, social service, cultural, performing arts, and advocacy
organizations. 

Tom Gordon

TOM GORDON IS A FORMER FEDERAL ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE FOR THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, AND A FORMER PRESIDENT OF AVILA UNIVERSITY, A CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY LOCATED IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI. DURING HIS CAREER AS A TRIAL LAWYER IN KANSAS CITY, TOM OCCUPIED MANY POSITIONS OF LEADERSHIP IN BOTH CIVIC AND CATHOLIC ORGANIZATIONS.

The Honorable Tom Gordon

TOM GORDON IS A FORMER FEDERAL ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE FOR THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, AND A FORMER PRESIDENT OF AVILA UNIVERSITY, A CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY LOCATED IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI. DURING HIS CAREER AS A TRIAL LAWYER IN KANSAS CITY, TOM OCCUPIED MANY POSITIONS OF LEADERSHIP IN BOTH CIVIC AND CATHOLIC ORGANIZATIONS.

Jen Shang

Jen Shang is the world’s first PhD in Philanthropy. She is also the world’s only philanthropic psychologist. Her research has been covered in the New York Times, BBC, The Guardian, the Chronicle of Philanthropy, Advancing Philanthropy and the Nonprofit Times. Jen has been published in numerous academic journals.

Gail Freeman

GAIL L. FREEMAN IS FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF FREEMAN PHILANTHROPIC SERVICES, LLC (FPS), A NATIONAL LEADER
IN EXECUTIVE RECRUITMENT FOR THE NOT-FOR-PROFIT SECTOR, SPECIALIZING IN RECRUITING LEADERS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS, HOSPITALS, ACADEMIC MEDICAL CENTERS, SOCIAL SERVICE, CULTURAL, PERFORMING ARTS, AND ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS. 

Bob Hartsook, Chair

Bob Hartsook born of modest means in Kansas town attaining a BA in Economics, MS in Counseling, EdD, JD, and DrBA(hon), serving as COO of community college, municipal university and the state’s only Urban Research Institution all before 34 yrs old. Few persons start business, even fewer grow exceeding the niche giants; now employee owned and successful leadership transition. Son, Austin Hartsook, known professionally in Hip Hop circles, as L’Orange and Creative Director of the Mello Music Label producing 14 albums. Bob lives on Wrightsville Beach since 1998 owning 50 ocean front condos. In 30 years Bob acquired over 16 million American (US Airways) miles and on American’s top 10 most frequent flyer list three times.

Tom Gordon

TOM GORDON IS A FORMER FEDERAL ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE FOR THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, AND A FORMER PRESIDENT OF AVILA UNIVERSITY, A CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY LOCATED IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI. DURING HIS CAREER AS A TRIAL LAWYER IN KANSAS CITY, TOM OCCUPIED MANY POSITIONS OF LEADERSHIP IN BOTH CIVIC AND CATHOLIC ORGANIZATIONS.

Bob Hartsook; Chair

BOB HARTSOOK BORN OF MODEST MEANS IN KANSAS TOWN ATTAINING A BA IN ECONOMICS, MS IN COUNSELING, EDD, JD, AND DRBA(HON), SERVING AS COO OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE, MUNICIPAL UNIVERSITY AND THE STATE’S ONLY URBAN RESEARCH INSTITUTION ALL BEFORE 34 YRS OLD. FEW PERSONS START BUSINESS, EVEN FEWER GROW EXCEEDING THE NICHE GIANTS; NOW EMPLOYEE OWNED AND SUCCESSFUL LEADERSHIP TRANSITION. SON, AUSTIN HARTSOOK, KNOWN PROFESSIONALLY IN HIP HOP CIRCLES, AS L’ORANGE AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MELLO MUSIC LABEL PRODUCING 14 ALBUMS. BOB LIVES ON WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH SINCE 1998 OWNING 50 OCEAN FRONT CONDOS. IN 30 YEARS BOB ACQUIRED OVER 16 MILLION AMERICAN (US AIRWAYS) MILES AND ON AMERICAN’S TOP 10 MOST FREQUENT FLYER LIST THREE TIMES.

Sara Auld

Sara Auld is the Founder of Health Possible in Wilmington, North Carolina. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Economics from Manhattanville College in 2015, where she performed as a NCAA D3 women's soccer player prior to pursuing previous careers in personal training, medical practice management, and radio talk show hosting.

Gail L. Freeman

Gail L. Freeman is Founder and President of Freeman Philanthropic Services, LLC (FPS), a national leader
in executive recruitment for the not-for-profit sector, specializing in recruiting leaders for higher education
institutions, hospitals, academic medical centers, social service, cultural, performing arts, and advocacy
organizations. 

Leo E. Morton

In August of 2017, Leo E. Morton was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer of DeBruce Companies. Mr. Morton served as Chancellor of the University of Missouri-Kansas City for over 9 years after serving 3 years as Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Prior to assuming the Chancellorship, Morton had been senior vice president and chief administrative officer for Aquila Inc. His management career spanned 40 years in a wide range of engineering and manufacturing positions with Aquilla Inc, AT&T Microelectronics, Bell Laboratories, General Motors, Rust Engineering Co. and Corning Glass.

Dr. Jerilee Mosier

Throughout her career Dr. Mosier has focused on developing and delivering high quality educational/training programs and services that meet the needs of students, business and 
industry, and the broader community. She has an extensive record of leadership and innovation in higher education and has fostered a culture of strong partnership relationships with business/industry, educational institutions and non-profit organizations.

Sara Auld

SARA AULD IS THE FOUNDER OF HEALTH POSSIBLE IN WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA. SHE EARNED HER BACHELOR OF ARTS IN COMMUNICATIONS AND ECONOMICS FROM MANHATTANVILLE COLLEGE IN 2015, WHERE SHE PERFORMED AS A NCAA D3 WOMEN'S SOCCER PLAYER PRIOR TO PURSUING PREVIOUS CAREERS IN PERSONAL TRAINING, MEDICAL PRACTICE MANAGEMENT, AND RADIO TALK SHOW HOSTING.

Leo E. Morton

IN AUGUST OF 2017, LEO E. MORTON WAS APPOINTED PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF DEBRUCE COMPANIES. MR. MORTON SERVED AS CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-KANSAS CITY FOR OVER 9 YEARS AFTER SERVING 3 YEARS AS CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. PRIOR TO ASSUMING THE CHANCELLORSHIP, MORTON HAD BEEN SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER FOR AQUILA INC. HIS MANAGEMENT CAREER SPANNED 40 YEARS IN A WIDE RANGE OF ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING POSITIONS WITH AQUILLA INC, AT&T MICROELECTRONICS, BELL LABORATORIES, GENERAL MOTORS, RUST ENGINEERING CO. AND CORNING GLASS.

Dr. Jerilee Mosier

THROUGHOUT HER CAREER DR. MOSIER HAS FOCUSED ON DEVELOPING AND DELIVERING HIGH QUALITY EDUCATIONAL/TRAINING PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT MEET THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS, BUSINESS AND 
INDUSTRY, AND THE BROADER COMMUNITY. SHE HAS AN EXTENSIVE RECORD OF LEADERSHIP AND INNOVATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION AND HAS FOSTERED A CULTURE OF STRONG PARTNERSHIP RELATIONSHIPS WITH BUSINESS/INDUSTRY, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.

Murray Blackwelder, Vice-chair

Murray was President of the University of Missouri-Kansas City Foundation. He has served as Vice President for external affairs at Iowa State University. During his tenure there, the University experienced record giving years, completing a $214 million campaign and a $450 million campaign a few years later. Murray then served as Senior Vice President for Advancement with Purdue University where he directed a campaign to raise nearly $1.5 billion.

He has been an active member of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and served as a CASE National Trustee. Also, he is a former President of the Wichita Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Murray holds a Master in Public Administration degree from UMKC and a Bachelor of Sciences from Baker University.

Mary Hammond

Mary is a Director of Development with Fort Hays State University Foundation in Hays, KS. Mary’s area of focus within the university foundation is with the College of Education & Forsyth Library. She is a native of western Kansas, active with Kiwanis International and received the Business Woman of the Year Award from the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce in 2020.

Murray Blackwelder (Co-chair)

Murray was President of the University of Missouri-Kansas City Foundation. He has served as Vice President for external affairs at Iowa State University. During his tenure there, the University experienced record giving years, completing a $214 million campaign and a $450 million campaign a few years later. Murray then served as Senior Vice President for Advancement with Purdue University where he directed a campaign to raise nearly $1.5 billion.

He has been an active member of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and served as a CASE National Trustee. Also, he is a former President of the Wichita Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Murray holds a Master in Public Administration degree from UMKC and a Bachelor of Sciences from Baker University.

Mary Hammond

Mary is a Director of Development with Fort Hays State University Foundation in Hays, KS. Mary’s area of focus within the university foundation is with the College of Education & Forsyth Library. She is a native of western Kansas, active with Kiwanis International and received the Business Woman of the Year Award from the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce in 2020.

Nick Reid

Nick Reid is a film producer and the Moving Picture Institute's executive vice president. He has led efforts responsible for securing over $200 million for charitable causes and his numerous executive producer film credits include Miss Virginia starring Emmy® winner Uzo Aduba, Golden Globe® nominee Matthew Modine, and Emmy nominee Vanessa Williams.

Nick Reid

Nick Reid is a film producer and the Moving Picture Institute's executive vice president. He has led efforts responsible for securing over $200 million for charitable causes and his numerous executive producer film credits include Miss Virginia starring Emmy® winner Uzo Aduba, Golden Globe® nominee Matthew Modine, and Emmy nominee Vanessa Williams.

John Fogarty

While serving as The Heritage Foundation's vice president for development, John Fogarty managed the growing organization's membership and fundraising operations.

Fogarty assumed the title of group vice president in April 2013. He became one of the youngest vice presidents in Heritage's history in December 2009, when the Board of Trustees made him an officer at age 32. Five months earlier, he had been promoted to senior management as head of the Development Department.

John Fogarty

While serving as The Heritage Foundation's vice president for development, John Fogarty managed the growing organization's membership and fundraising operations.

Fogarty assumed the title of group vice president in April 2013. He became one of the youngest vice presidents in Heritage's history in December 2009, when the Board of Trustees made him an officer at age 32. Five months earlier, he had been promoted to senior management as head of the Development Department.

Michelle Davis

Michelle joined the IFOPA as Executive Director in February 2016. The majority of her career has been spent working in the nonprofit sector; seven years of which were spent leading a nonprofit chamber of commerce training and consulting with local nonprofit staff, boards of directors and volunteers. In that role, Michelle was exposed to many deserving causes, but her passion has always been in working with patient advocacy organizations, including tenures at the National Kidney Foundation and Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Foundation.

Michelle Davis

Michelle joined the IFOPA as Executive Director in February 2016. The majority of her career has been spent working in the nonprofit sector; seven years of which were spent leading a nonprofit chamber of commerce training and consulting with local nonprofit staff, boards of directors and volunteers. In that role, Michelle was exposed to many deserving causes, but her passion has always been in working with patient advocacy organizations, including tenures at the National Kidney Foundation and Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Foundation.

Roger Werholtz

Roger Werholtz has had a 40 year career in leading public safety and social service agencies in state and local government including serving in the cabinets of four governors of both political parties. He has served as a consultant for a variety of organizations, both non-profit and for profit, including the Council of State Governments, the National Institute of Corrections, the Pew Charitable Trusts and the Police Foundation. He has served on numerous commissions, councils and boards in the areas of criminal justice and mental health. He has been recognized as an outstanding alumnus of the university of Kansas School of Social Welfare (1998) and was the recipient of the Michael Franke Award as the outstanding correctional administrator in the country (2009).

While serving as The Heritage Foundation's vice president for development, John Fogarty managed the growing organization's membership and fundraising operations.

Fogarty assumed the title of group vice president in April 2013. He became one of the youngest vice presidents in Heritage's history in December 2009, when the Board of Trustees made him an officer at age 32. Five months earlier, he had been promoted to senior management as head of the Development Department.

Michelle Davis

Michelle joined the IFOPA as Executive Director in February 2016. The majority of her career has been spent working in the nonprofit sector; seven years of which were spent leading a nonprofit chamber of commerce training and consulting with local nonprofit staff, boards of directors and volunteers. In that role, Michelle was exposed to many deserving causes, but her passion has always been in working with patient advocacy organizations, including tenures at the National Kidney Foundation and Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Foundation.

Michelle Davis

Michelle joined the IFOPA as Executive Director in February 2016. The majority of her career has been spent working in the nonprofit sector; seven years of which were spent leading a nonprofit chamber of commerce training and consulting with local nonprofit staff, boards of directors and volunteers. In that role, Michelle was exposed to many deserving causes, but her passion has always been in working with patient advocacy organizations, including tenures at the National Kidney Foundation and Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Foundation.

Roger Werholtz

Roger Werholtz has had a 40 year career in leading public safety and social service agencies in state and local government including serving in the cabinets of four governors of both political parties. He has served as a consultant for a variety of organizations, both non-profit and for profit, including the Council of State Governments, the National Institute of Corrections, the Pew Charitable Trusts and the Police Foundation. He has served on numerous commissions, councils and boards in the areas of criminal justice and mental health. He has been recognized as an outstanding alumnus of the university of Kansas School of Social Welfare (1998) and was the recipient of the Michael Franke Award as the outstanding correctional administrator in the country (2009).

Gary Cecchine, Ph.D. 

Gary Cecchine, Ph.D., is an environmental biologist and senior policy researcher at the nonprofit RAND Corporation, which he joined in 1999. He is the Director of Research at the RAND Gulf States Policy Institute and leads RAND’s office in New Orleans. Gary conducts technical and policy research in a variety of areas, including natural resources, public health, emergency preparedness and response, community health and resilience, and military medicine. He advises policy makers from the local to national level about policies that affect all the well-being of all. As Director, he also develops and coordinates research in health, education, economics, labor, public safety, and regional and strategic planning. His recent research focus has been on promoting resilience in the U.S. Gulf Coast by developing and evaluating economically, socially, and ecologically sound strategies. Most recently, his research focuses on informing national policies related to COVID-19. Gary’s Ph.D. in biology and public policy is from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and he served as an officer in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps, with a focus on disaster response, preventive medicine, and public health.

Michelle Davis

Michelle joined the IFOPA as Executive Director in February 2016. The majority of her career has been spent working in the nonprofit sector; seven years of which were spent leading a nonprofit chamber of commerce training and consulting with local nonprofit staff, boards of directors and volunteers. In that role, Michelle was exposed to many deserving causes, but her passion has always been in working with patient advocacy organizations, including tenures at the National Kidney Foundation and Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Foundation.

Gary Cecchine, Ph.D. 

Gary Cecchine, Ph.D., is an environmental biologist and senior policy researcher at the nonprofit RAND Corporation, which he joined in 1999. He is the Director of Research at the RAND Gulf States Policy Institute and leads RAND’s office in New Orleans. Gary conducts technical and policy research in a variety of areas, including natural resources, public health, emergency preparedness and response, community health and resilience, and military medicine. He advises policy makers from the local to national level about policies that affect all the well-being of all. As Director, he also develops and coordinates research in health, education, economics, labor, public safety, and regional and strategic planning. His recent research focus has been on promoting resilience in the U.S. Gulf Coast by developing and evaluating economically, socially, and ecologically sound strategies. Most recently, his research focuses on informing national policies related to COVID-19. Gary’s Ph.D. in biology and public policy is from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and he served as an officer in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps, with a focus on disaster response, preventive medicine, and public health.