Division Office
Kathleen Davis
Executive Director
Kathleen Davis is the Executive Director at the National Kidney Foundation. She feels fortunate to work with a wonderful NKF team both locally and nationally, a very involved, professional and talented Advisory Board and Medical Advisory Board as well as dedicated volunteers who are the heart of our market. "It is an honor and privilege to serve the community with the programs we offer patients and medical professionals."
Along with her fiancé Jeff and daughter Rachel, Kathleen enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
Kourtney Cash
Development Director
Kourtney has been with the National Kidney Foundation since March of 2020 as the Development Manager and was recently promoted to Development Director, overseeing 3 major fundraising events including the St. Louis Kidney Walk, NKF Golf Classic, and Award of Excellence Reception. Her passion for the nonprofit sector and helping communities in need came from losing her Great Grandmother to kidney disease. She is originally from Bluford, IL, but has lived in the St. Louis Metro East region since 2015. Kourtney holds a Bachelors Degree in Social Work from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and a Master's Degree in Nonprofit Leadership from Webster University. In her spare time, Kourtney enjoys reading, collecting vinyl records, and walking and biking the Madison County trails with her Bernedoodle, Charles Barkley.
Maggie Zysk
Community Outreach Manager
Maggie has been with the National Kidney Foundation since May of 2022 as the Development Coordinator and was recently promoted to Community Outreach Manager, overseeing the Mid Missouri Kidney Walk, Sidney’s Birthday Box, Quarterly Language Flyer initiative, local implementation of the NKF signature programs and various administrative duties. Maggie holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Her passion for events and helping others has led her in assisting many within the community to raise awareness for individuals affected by kidney disease. Maggie is from Imperial, Missouri. In her spare time, she enjoys building her business (CreationsByMaggs), spending time with friends and family, and spoiling her two nieces.
Alexandra Garrick
Collective Impact Director
Alexandra (Alex) Garrick has been with the National Kidney Foundation since October 2011 and has served in several roles; she most recently served as Executive Director Serving Kansas & Western Missouri, and now serves as the Collective Impact Director for the state of Missouri. In this new role, Alex will work with the local state teams and national population health team on initiatives that support kidney disease testing, early identification, and management; and initiatives that advance health equity in kidney disease in the state. Alex holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a Minor in Leadership Studies from Kansas State University and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Kansas. Alex loves spending time with her husband, children, family, friends, and dog. In her spare time, she loves to read and craft.
Kevin McCarthy
Development Coordinator
Kevin joined the National Kidney Foundation in May of 2024 as the Development Coordinator, tasked with executing the Take 5 Monthly Newsletter while assisting with volunteer management, event planning, and fundraising for events such as the Mid Missouri Kidney Walk, Sidney’s Birthday Box, and much more. Kevin holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Washington University in St. Louis. His passion stems from a background of organizing around issues centering equity and believes the NKF’s health equity initiatives are critical to building stronger and healthier communities for all.
Kevin lives in St. Louis, Missouri. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with friends and family.
Directions
Directions to our office:
We are located at 1001 Craig Road Suite 480 Saint Louis, MO 63146-6217, approximately 1 mile from Highway 270 and approximately 2 miles west of Lindbergh Boulevard in the Oaks Building directly off of Craig Road. There's a Dierberg's Shopping Center located across the street.
Volunteer Opportunities
As with other non-profit organizations, volunteers are crucial to our success. Volunteers enable our staff to serve more patients, fund more research and offer more community and professional educational materials and opportunities. For more information about our opportunities please review our Volunteer Handbook or contact Maggie Zysk.
- Office Volunteer: Volunteers will receive a brief on-site training that will occur upon arrival at the office. Activities includes making thank you calls, putting together event and education materials, writing thank you notes and helping with other administrative tasks.
- Event Volunteer: Help us on event day by setting up, breaking down and otherwise helping ensure a successful event. Opportunities are available for our Gala, Walk, Professional Education Conference and the KEEP Healthy public screening program.
- Committee Member: Play a leadership and fundraising role by helping organize one of our four signature events. You will be responsible for attending monthly or bi-monthly meetings to discuss upcoming events/ programs specifics. Committee Members will be expected to work as team, bringing fresh ideas, business connections, sponsors, volunteers and donors that will support the NKF.
- Advisory Board of Directors: Help the National Kidney Foundation advance our mission of awareness, prevention and treatment to those with, and at risk for, kidney disease in Kansas City. Our Directors are expected to introduce the NKF to new community and business leaders, provide insight to our strategic direction and help us achieve our fundraising goals.
Local Board
Craig Adoor, Board Chair Partner, Husch Blackwell LLPCraig is a kidney transplant recipient and has served on the National Kidney Foundation Board of Advisor's for more than five years. His involvement in the National Kidney Foundation is fueled by his personal connection to kidney disease. He is proud to serve on the board and share his passion with others to help impact the Kidney Community.
Komla Ahlijah Vice President Data & Analytics, Eyecare PartnersKomla became involved with the National Kidney Foundation after a close family member received a kidney transplant. Komla is also involved in the non-profit organization Toys for Togo which is dedicated to providing a healthy childhood experience to needy children and at-risk youth in Togo, West Africa.
Hosea Bartlett (Bart) Physician Relations Manager – Business Development, SSM Health Saint Louis University HospitalBart has worked at SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital for 8 years and has worked in the kidney transplant program there for 5 years. Bart builds relationships with community nephrology groups and educates dialysis unit staff and patients about kidney transplantation. Through these efforts, he has seen the burden of kidney disease on our community and has learned the importance of awareness and prevention.
Kelly Rauh Baumer Vice President, Specialty Services, SSM Health Saint Louis University HospitalKelly has experience working with the National Kidney Foundation through SSM Saint Louis University Hospital’s transplant program. She is excited to continue to spread the NKF’s mission to improve the health and well-being of those affected by kidney disease.
Matt ClausenMatt joined Strive Health in July 2020. He serves as the Regional Vice President, Market Operations managing performance across a multi-state region. This includes leading SSM Health Kidney Care, the value-based kidney care partnership between Strive Health and SSM Health, and serving as the officer for Gateway Kidney Care KCE, their Kidney Contracting Entity (KCE) participating in the CMS Kidney Care Choices Model – Comprehensive Kidney Care Contracting. In this role he brings his passion for transforming healthcare delivery and drives the markets’ overall performance and growth. Prior to joining Strive, Matt spent 20 years with SSM Health in various strategy, business development and operational leadership roles. Matt is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and currently serves as the President of the Missouri ACHE chapter. When not working, he spends time with his wife, Kristin, and two young daughters Norah (5) and Josie (3).
Fernanda Estrada Communications Program StrategistA native of Mexico City, Fernanda Estrada-Ridaura brings over eight years of experience in Communications, Marketing, Events, and Human Resources. Relocating to St. Louis three years ago, she now serves as the Communications Program Strategist for Reach Strategies. In this position, Fernanda is dedicated to promoting the adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs) through educational programs, community projects, and events across Missouri and Illinois. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Communications Science from La Salle University and went on to obtain a diploma in Strategic and Corporate Communications, followed by a certification in Storytelling & Leadership. Fernanda is also a participant of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's "Hispanic Leadership Institute" class of 2021-2022 and the Greater Missouri Leadership Challenge class of 2023.
John Fisher Director of OEM Sales, HVACR Business Unit, Copeland LPJohn began his involvement with the NKF Serving Eastern Missouri, Metro East, and Arkansas through his participation in the golf fundraising event. He saw the need for more support and volunteered to join the Board of Directors and the Golf Event Committee. John is active with St. Josephs Institute for the Deaf, United Way, St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, and other local charities.
Keith B. Guller Owner/Director, Essex Industries, Inc.Keith has served on the National Kidney Foundations Board of Advisors since 2005 and served as the Board Chair from 2012 - 2018. He is actively involved in numerous non-profit organizations and enjoys traveling, golf, astronomy, camping and geology in his free time.
Laurie Hines Director, Missouri Kidney Program, University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine, Living DonorLaurie retired from state government public policy work after 24 years, to serve as Director of the Missouri Kidney Program. Laurie has a personal and professional commitment to serving persons with kidney disease. Laurie donated a kidney through the paired exchange in 2016 at Barnes Hospital. She donated on behalf of her life partner, Ted, where she ‘found’ her fierce advocacy voice. Laurie graduated from St. Louis University and has a law degree from MU. Laurie serves as co-chair of the Missouri Hospital Association’s Statewide Patient and Family Advisory Council and the MHA Health Equity Committee, and is an ad hoc member of the Governor’s Organ Donor Advisory Council. Laurie and Ted live in Columbia in a unique intentional community called a pocket neighborhood.
Kathy Joslin SVP Human Resources, Bethesda Health Group, Inc.Kathy’s connection to the National Kidney Foundation began with serving on the golf committee 12 years ago. After serving on the Board of Directors she was exposed to the serious need for more living kidney donors and she decided to altruistically donate her kidney to a co-worker’s husband in August 2019.
Takisha Lovelace Vice President, Chief Operating OfficerMs. Lovelace joined Affinia Healthcare in 2023. As the chief operating officer, she oversees health center operations including: radiology, laboratory, nursing services, quality improvement, information technology, patient scheduling/referrals/navigation, and facilities. Lovelace has served as Executive Director for a large health system in the St. Louis area. In her prior leadership roles, she served as director of operations in a community health organization and a university school of medicine. She has also served as an administrative officer for the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. Additionally, she is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. Ms. Lovelace works to ensure the most effective organizational operations through program development, process improvement and coordination of processes across functions.
Ms. Lovelace serves on the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy (UHSP) President's Advisory Council, as well as board membership on Generate Health and Vetbiz. She is an alumni of the 2020-21 Focus St. Louis Leadership St. Louis cohort and a fellow of the 2017-2018 cohort of the St. Louis Business Diversity Initiative (SLBDI).
Larry McCulley President/CEO, SIHF HealthcareLarry has two strong connections with kidney disease and the National Kidney Foundation. He has both family members and friends who have donated and received kidneys through transplant. SIHF Healthcare has partnered with the NKF for KEEP Healthy kidney screenings to provide direct education and interventions to address kidney health.
Ira Potter Attorney, Affinity Law Group, LLCIra is a kidney donor and serves as a Kidney Advocacy Committee (KAC) member using his personal experience and expertise to inform public-policy makers of kidney related legislation, policies and education.
Cameron Schoeffel Sales, Marketing and Entertainment Director, Lodging Hospitality ManagementMy name is Cameron Schoeffel, I currently serve as a Sales, Marketing and Entertainment Director with Lodging Hospitality Management supporting St. Louis Union Station and Westport Plaza. With 11 years of experience at LHM and 15 years in the industry, I’m dedicated to enhancing our communities throughout St. Louis and developing growth within our properties. Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family, specifically my wife and 2 young daughters along with golfing, travelling and spending time outdoors!
Martha Stipsits Director, Transplant Services, Barnes-Jewish HospitalMartha Stipsits is the Director of Transplant Services for the Washington University and Barnes-Jewish Hospital Transplant Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Martha obtained her nursing degree from Michigan State University in 2000 and her Master’s in Healthcare Administration from Webster University in St. Louis in 2015.
Martha began her nursing career as an officer in the U.S. Army where she gained experience in critical care and nursing leadership. She served for 8 years as a critical care nurse including a 1 year deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Martha transitioned to civilian nursing as a liver transplant coordinator at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and later moved into the Abdominal Organ Transplant Clinical Program Manager role. She has implemented numerous process improvement initiatives and is passionate about teaching others the value of a robust QAPI program.
Martha served as the Administrative Director of Transplant at Augusta University in Georgia and then rejoined the BJH Transplant Team as the Administrative Director in 2020. She is focused on strategic planning, team member growth and development, and initiatives to reduce disparities in access to transplantation.
Juli Van Hook Head of Sponsor Finance Lending, Stifel Bank & TrustJuli is married with two children that are 12 and 10. She enjoys playing tennis, golf and traveling. She is on the Finance and Audit Committee for the city of Manchester, MO.
Heather Wertin Program Manager, Abdominal Transplant Programs, Barnes-Jewish HospitalHeather donated one of her kidneys to her sisters’ husband in 2002 and would do it again if she had a spare! Through her lifelong career in the transplant field, she has seen first-hand the transformative impact of transplant in peoples lives. Heather is passionate about transplant and educating patients about the process.
Jennifer Wessels, MD, MHA, FAAFP Chief Medical Director, Home State HealthDr. Jennifer Wessels is a board certified Family Medicine physician and a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians. She has been an active member of the St. Louis community for over 20 years. She completed her undergraduate and medical school training at St. Louis University, her residency in Family Medicine at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis, and her master's degree in health administration at Webster University. Dr. Wessels is the Chief Medical Officer for Centene's Home State Health Medicaid plan for the state of Missouri. She teaches at St. Louis University School of Medicine in the Department of Family Medicine. Dr. Wessels is passionate about aiding her community and serves as the site physician at many of Missouri's county jails and juvenile detention centers.
Prior to her role with Centene, Dr. Wessels served as the Vice President of Medical Practice for SSM Health in St. Louis. She was formerly also the sole physician at BJC Barnes West Primary Care on the campus of Barnes West County Hospital.
She lives in St. Louis with her husband and children.