Heartland Community Foundation Welcomes New Board Members, Honors Outgoing Leaders, and Launches Engagement Committees

The Heartland Community Foundation is proud to announce the addition of four new members to its Advisory Board, recognize recent leadership transitions, and introduce a new County Engagement Committee structure designed to welcome more diverse voices to the table.

Heartland’s Advisory Board plays a vital role in guiding the Foundation’s mission to improve quality of life across Ellis, Rooks, and Trego counties. Board members serve as local ambassadors, advocates, and decision-makers — ensuring that community needs are understood and represented in every discussion. Each member brings unique insights from their home county, helping Heartland remain grounded in the communities it serves.

Welcoming New Board Members
The Foundation is excited to welcome four newly appointed board members who bring a broad range of expertise and strong community ties:

• Neva Hendrix, WaKeeney – Neva has served as Human Resources Manager at Trego-Lemke Memorial Hospital for 10 years. She is active in organizations like the Lions Club and P.E.O. and regularly volunteers at events such as the Tree Lighting and Buzzard Bash. She is married to Will Hirsch and has a daughter, Aven.
• Jessica Kerr, Hays – Chief Compliance and Marketing Officer at Golden Belt Bank, Jess has 15 years of banking experience and previously served as a bank examiner for the Kansas Banking Department. She and her husband Greg are raising two children, Eli and Ila.
• Aaron Satran, WaKeeney – Branch President of First Federal Bank, a branch of Lyons Federal Bank, Aaron earned his MBA in Finance in 2023 and is also actively involved in his family’s Trego County cattle operation. He and his wife Emma, both WaKeeney natives, are raising their son Camden and expecting their second child in October.
• Cynthia Steeples, Palco – A lifelong rancher and longtime Heartland supporter, Cynthia and her husband John operate the Quarter Circle S Ranch. She is also involved in numerous organizations, including Prairie Frontier Trails, American Legion Auxiliary, and P.E.O., and enjoys traveling, quilting, kayaking, and hiking.

Celebrating Board Leadership
As part of this transition, the Foundation is also pleased to announce new board officers:

• Cristi Werth, WaKeeney – now serving as Vice President and is slated to become board president in fiscal year 2027.
• Justine Benoit, Damar – now serving as Secretary

These leaders join Josh Dreher, Hays, who continues to serve as Board President for one more year and Jude Fox, Hays, who serves as treasurer.

A Fond Farewell and Deep Appreciation
Heartland also celebrates a bittersweet milestone — saying farewell to four dedicated board members whose terms have come to a close.

• Kelli Hansen of Plainville has served on the board since 2016, including terms as Vice President, President, and Past President. Her leadership helped shape the Foundation’s direction, and her commitment to the grants committee and Rooks County has left a lasting legacy.
• Katie Dorzweiler of Hays joined the board in 2019, serving as Secretary and Co-Chair of the Grants Committee alongside Kelli. Her thoughtful leadership and strong advocacy for Ellis County helped move key initiatives forward.
• Sara Brown and Trey Moeder, both of WaKeeney, joined the board in 2022. Though their terms were shorter, their contributions were meaningful, particularly in representing Trego County voices in Heartland’s work.

We are pleased to share that both Kelli and Katie will remain involved as Board Emeritus Members, continuing to offer guidance and support. They will also continue to serve as co-chairs of the Heartland grant committee.

“To each of these individuals—thank you,” said Josh Dreher, Board President. “Your time, your ideas, and your belief in the power of community have helped build something lasting. Heartland is stronger because of your leadership.”

Introducing County Engagement Committees

In an effort to broaden community participation and invite even more voices to the table, the Foundation is launching Heartland County Engagement Committees this fall in Ellis, Rooks, and Trego counties. These committees will include both board and community members and meet every other month to share insights, surface local opportunities, and expand the Foundation’s connections across the region.

“We know that strong communities are built when people come together,” said Sarah Meitner, Executive Director. “These new committees will ensure we’re listening to more people, from more places, more often.”

Community members and Heartland supporters who are interested in serving on a County Engagement Committee are encouraged to reach out to the Foundation for more information at heartland@gscf.org.

Current Advisory Board Members
In addition to welcoming new members, the Heartland Community Foundation recognizes the ongoing contributions of its current Advisory Board:

• Michael Baxter, Hays
• Justine Benoit (Secretary), Damar
• Joslyn Brungardt, Hays
• Josh Dreher (President), Hays
• Joleen Fisher, Hays
• Jude Fox (Treasurer), Hays
• Kayla Hilbrink, Stockton
• Donna Hudson-Hamilton, Stockton
• Mari Tucker, Plainville
• Cristi Werth (Vice President), WaKeeney

And these supportive Board Emeritus members:

• Hardy Howard, WaKeeney, Emeritus Member
• Sandy Jacobs, Hays, Emeritus Member
• Nikki Pfannenstiel, Hays, Emeritus Member
• Kathy Ramsay, Plainville, Emeritus Member

The Heartland Community Foundation is honored to work alongside such dedicated and thoughtful leaders and looks forward to what’s ahead as it continues building a stronger future for the Ellis, Rooks, and Trego County region.

Outgoing Board Members

Kelli Hansen, Sarah Meitner, Katie Dorzweiler