Heart of Missouri United Way Elects 2024 Board Members & New Executive Committee 

Columbia, MO – The Heart of Missouri United Way is pleased to announce its 2024 class of Board of Directors. Six members were elected to the board to serve three-year terms beginning in May of 2024. The members were elected during a board meeting on April 17, 2024.   

“As we welcome our new board members to the Heart of Missouri United Way family, we embrace fresh perspectives and diverse expertise,” said incoming Board Chair Mitzi Clayton, “Together, we look forward to continued collaboration with our community strategically investing resources to empower individuals and families to overcome barriers and achieve their full potential.” 

2024 Class of the Board of Directors  

Kerrie Bloss, Nothing Bundt Cakes 

Kerrie is no stranger to the work of United Way. With a background in programming, fundraising and events she has spent the last 25 years working at two nonprofits in Columbia. Now you can find her marketing with Nothing Bundt Cakes and working with the Community Foundation of Central MO. She is active with the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Women’s Network & Ambassadors, Junior League of Columbia. She also serves on the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central MO and volunteers with several organizations in the community. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and attending concerts. 

Lacey Burrell, Veterans United Home Loans 

As a Mizzou grad with roots in Columbia, Missouri, Lacey’s commitment to the community runs deep. She brings over 15 years of Leadership experience in business as well as a background in nonprofit work. In her role at Veterans United as a People Development Consultant, she serves as a Leadership Coach, dedicated to fostering and enhancing leadership development and effectiveness. 

Leigh Anne Haun, Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council 

Leigh Anne is the Policy Coordinator for the Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council (MODDC). She graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in German and Communication, and a Master’s in Public Affairs. She has worked in advocacy and awareness for more than 12 years, the last 8 of which have been a partnership with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families advocating for resources and systems change. Leigh Anne’s areas of focus with MODDC are Voting Accessibility, Grassroots Advocacy and Public Policy. Her focus for her work on the board is promoting the systemic approach that United Way has to impacting change across all communities. She lives in Columbia, MO with her husband, Kendall and two kids Fletcher (8) and Eloise (5). 

Talia Jackson, Community Member 

Talia Jackson is a St. Louis native who recently stepped away from corporate America, after having successful careers at Sprint, CenturyLink, Embarq, and Burns & McDonnell over the span of over 25 years. Talia earned her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Truman State University in Kirksville, MO and her Master of Science in Telecommunications from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX.  She is a 2017 graduate of the United Way of Greater Kansas City’s Governance Academy.  Talia and her husband, Kerrick, are happy to call Columbia home for the second time in their lives. Their lives stay busy with Mizzou baseball, and all of the activities of their two sons, Zion (12) and Laz (11).   

Shannon Kuczynski, Boone Health 

Shannon Kuczynski, MSN-A, MHSA, RN, NE-BC joined Boone Health in August of 2022 as the Chief Nursing Executive. Shannon grew up in Columbia, attending David. H. Hickman High School before earning her degrees at the University of Kansas – Kansas City. Shannon brings 30-years of nursing experience, 28 in leadership, having most recently served as Division Vice President, Service Lines and Division Chief Nursing Informatics Officer for Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) in Overland Park, Kansas. While there, Shannon specialized in workflow optimization and transforming data into usable knowledge. 

Brad Roling, Mid America Bank 

Brad Roling is the Columbia Market President for Mid America Bank. Brad has more than 10 years of banking experience that he uses to help businesses in and around Columbia thrive. When he is not helping your business with its financial needs, Brad is serving the community in a variety of capacities. He is proud to serve on the Ronald McDonald House Mid-Missouri Board of Directors as Treasurer, the Columbia Chamber Foundation Board as Treasurer, Beta Theta Pi Advisory Board and now the Heart of Missouri United Way Board of Directors. Brad is a proud Mizzou grad and loves cheering on the Tigers! 

2024 Executive Committee 

Four members were elected to serve one-year terms on the executive committee beginning May of 2024. The members were also elected during the April 17 board meeting. Mitzi Clayton, University of Missouri, will serve as Chair. Nikki Carter, University of Missouri Health Care, will serve as Vice Chair. Mark Gingrich, Williams-Keepers, LLC., will serve as Treasurer, and Laura Gerding, Missouri Employers Mutual, will serve as Secretary. 

Heart of Missouri United Way fights to improve the health, education, and financial stability of every community member.