Within this role, I served as a state governmental leader who oversaw a small team of staff members who promoted the Governor’s political agenda, serving as a constituent advocacy organization to provide advice and support on policy, administrative, and political issues. ▪️ Remained abreast of issues facing public education, higher education, students, and teachers, as key member of state leadership that proudly places education and teachers at the forefront of political happenings.▪️Led up to 5 support staff members within the governmental affairs team with a concentration on political strategy and advancement.▪️ Built strong relationships with a variety of legislative, state, and community stakeholders to promote the Governor and associated initiatives. ▪️Collaborated and coordinated with individuals and groups with diverse viewpoints, including House and Senate Republican leaders, to facilitate consensus as situations and issues arose. ▪️Assisted with crafting governmental budgets, including education allocations, throughout the executive budgeting process.

During this period, I was selected to serve as the governmental affairs, legislative, and administrative liaison to represent the Governor Laura Kelly Administration and ensure business operations remained consistent with the Governor’s expectations as well as the state’s vision and values.▪️ Supported newly appointed Lottery Director in transitioning from a Republican to a Democratic administration. ▪️Provided guidance and direction over 125 personnel across multiple divisions within the organization, ensuring the Governor’s vision and values were engrained in all operations. ▪️Collaborated cross-departmentally with sales, marketing, and finance departments to achieve common goals.

At InterHab, I served as the governmental affairs program director responsible for identifying, managing, and implementing the association’s legislative platform while serving as the primary point of contact for all legislative inquiries. I monitored legislative committee and subcommittee hearings and activity and built professional relationships with key governmental and community stakeholders to promote the association’s interests before respective governing bodies and executive offices. Additionally, I assisted the Executive Director in developing and implementing the association’s strategic plan, the association’s corporate restructuring project, conducting on-site visits to members, and overseeing day-to-day association functions.▪️Named Interim Executive Director, effective August of 2018.▪️ Pursued immediate opportunities to cultivate trusting relationships with InterHab members by identifying current deficiencies and attempting to foster in a new era of engagement between executive leadership and membership.▪️ Heavily instrumental in securing the first HCBS rate increase in almost 10 years along with other Legislative accomplishments, including multiple budget provisos limiting KanCare, background check legislation, and contributing to the exceptional reputation of InterHab at the Statehouse. ▪️ Brought stability, consistency, team building, communication, and organizational leadership to the staff during a period of great need. ▪️ Recruited, hired, and provided direction to a new communications director, who has made significant changes to InterHab’s internal and external communication operations.

I served as both the public and legislative liaison and Chief Advisor who provided support to Anthony Hensley, the State Senate Minority Leader. Within this position, I attended public and private events and communicated with the Legislature, constituents, and business and advocacy organizations to gain buy-in on key issues. I also advised on policy, as well as administrative and political issues, to collaboratively and creatively solve challenges that benefit key stakeholders. I was instrumental in facilitating campaign and election activities, specifically related to fundraising and compliance and coached and developed staff members on understanding federal and state laws, developing external communications, and building bipartisan relationships.▪️Consistently exceeded yearly goals as well as broke fundraising records as Chief Fundraiser and political operations manager.▪️Consistently came in on or under budget by developing creative ways to cut back on operational expenses.▪️Appointed as Treasurer for two campaign committees because of fundraising and financial management expertise.▪️Promoted in 2003 from Special Assistant to the Senate Minority Leader as a result of relationship building, influencing and leadership abilities.

In conjunction with the Secretary of State, I provided guidance and direction to more than 50 personnel across multiple divisions with the agency to ensure the law was upheld in relation to the administration of statewide elections, business entities and the uniform commercial code. I managed change and built relationships that drove productivity by communicating the mission, vision and values of the Office of the Secretary of State. I also served as Chief Advisor to the Secretary of State on administrative, policy and political issues. ▪️Achieved high employee engagement and minimal turnover to successfully lead the midterm transition from a Republican Secretary to a Democratic Secretary.▪️Second in command over a state agency that oversaw a non-controversial election in 2010.