Board of Directors

Our Board plays an instrumental role in the work that we do. Members collectively assist in setting the Foundation’s agenda and priorities and serve as stewards of our financial assets. We strive to have our Board represent the gender, racial, cultural, geographic, and ethnic diversity of our region.

Alan Barnette, MD

Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Term: 2022-24

Alex Garza, MD

Programmatic Strategy Committee Chair, St. Louis, Missouri, Term: 2023-25

Ashanti Tate, MA, MSW

Springfield, Missouri, Term: 2022-24
Headshot of Brian Kinkade

Brian D. Kinkade, MA

Board Chair & Executive Committee Chair, Columbia, Missouri, Term: 2024-2026

Craig Stevenson

Hallsville, Missouri, Term: 2023-25

Donna Checkett, MPA, MSW

Columbia, Missouri, Term: 2022-24
portrait photo of Dr. Dwayne Proctor

Dwayne Proctor, PhD

Ex-officio
Portrait of Emily Dai

Emily Dai 

St. Louis, Missouri, Term: 2024-26
Portrait of Eric Ralph

Eric Ralph 

St. Louis, Missouri, Term: 2024-26

Estrella Carmona, MA

Investment Committee Chair, Perryville, Missouri, Term: 2024-26

Francine Pratt

Springfield, Missouri, Term: 2023-25

Kyler James Sherman-Wilkins, PhD

Springfield, Missouri, Term: 2022-24

Nalini Mahadevan

Treasurer & Finance Committee Chair, St. Louis, Missouri, Term: 2023-25
Portrait of Simone Cummings

Simone Cummings, MHA, PhD

St. Louis, Missouri, Term: 2024-26

Stephen H. Lewis

Secretary, St. Louis, Missouri, Term: 2023-25

Todd Ahrens, JD

Board Vice Chair & Governance Committee Chair, Hannibal, Missouri, Term: 2023-24