Heartland Community Foundation Welcomes Five New Board Members
HAYS, Kan.— Heartland Community Foundation, a philanthropic organization dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals and communities in the Ellis, Rooks, and Trego counties, is pleased to announce the appointment of five new members to its esteemed Advisory Board. The addition of these highly accomplished individuals will further strengthen the foundation's mission of fostering positive change and supporting local initiatives.
The Heartland Community Foundation warmly welcomes the following individuals to its board:
Cristi Werth - Residing in rural Trego County, Cristi brings her expertise as the owner of TWI Insurance Services in WaKeeney. With a remarkable seven-year history of philanthropy as a donor to Heartland during Match Month, Cristi is deeply committed to making a difference. Married and a proud parent of four adult children and four grandchildren, Cristi's experience in the insurance industry and her participation in the grants committee will prove invaluable to the foundation's endeavors.
Jude Fox - Based in Hays, Jude serves as a wealth advisor at Adams Brown. His background as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and prior involvement on various boards, including treasurer at United Way, uniquely position him to contribute to Heartland Community Foundation's financial strategies. Jude, together with his wife Tiffany and their two young children, exemplify a passion for community service and are committed to making a lasting impact.
Joleen Fisher – Hays-resident and Ellis-native, Joleen retired in 2018 after a 20-year career at the Hays Daily News. Joleen brings a wealth of experience and an extensive network within the local business community. Actively involved as a Chamber Ambassador and Wonder Women League member, Joleen's dedication to community engagement is remarkable. She looks forward to leveraging her knowledge and connections to further Heartland's mission.
Joslyn Brungardt - Based in Hays, Joslyn is the co-owner of McIntyre Plumbing, Heating & Air, Inc. and Define Design & Remodel, an interior design business known for its creativity and attention to detail. As a consistent donor to Heartland during Match Month, Joslyn's dedication to philanthropy is evident. Her previous service on the grants committee and her aptitude in event décor and planning make her a valuable addition to the board.
Mari Tucker - A Plainville resident, Mari brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in grant writing, foundation support, and marketing to the Heartland Community Foundation. Having previously served as the Director of NCK Tech's Marketing and Foundation and Washburn University’s Office of Sponsored Projects, Mari's expertise will be instrumental in expanding the foundation's outreach and impact. Mari's dedication to grant writing and her continued involvement with the Plainville Community Foundation demonstrate her commitment to strengthening communities through philanthropy.
Heartland Community Foundation is honored to welcome these exceptional individuals to its Advisory Board. Their diverse backgrounds, extensive community involvement, and professional expertise will contribute significantly to the foundation's efforts to create a positive and lasting impact on the Heartland region. They formally begin their terms on July 1.
Additionally, we bid farewell to three long-time board members who completed their terms. Hardy Howard, of WaKeeney, served eight years as member of the board including two years as Board President. He will remain involved with Heartland as a Board Emeritus. David Herl, of Hays, served as a board member for six years and as the organization’s long-time treasurer. Kathy Ramsay, of Plainville, also served as a board member for six years. She will remain involved as a Board Emeritus.
Together, Hardy, David, and Kathy, embodied the essence of servant leadership. They leave behind a remarkable legacy that will continue to inspire future board members and shape the Heartland Community Foundation. On behalf of the entire Heartland community, we extend our heartfelt thanks to them.
Also on the Advisory Board are: Board President Kelli Hansen, of Plainville; Board Vice President Josh Dreher, of Hays; Board Secretary Katie Dorzweiler, of Hays; Michael Baxter, of Hays; Sara Brown, of WaKeeney, Kayla Hilbrink, of Stockton; Donna Hudson-Hamilton, of Stockton; Tammy McClellan, of Stockton, and Trey Moeder, of WaKeeney.
For more information, please visit www.heartlandcommunityfoundation.org.
