COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR CLOUD COUNTY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Secretary of the Board
Brandee grew up in Minneapolis, Kansas. After earning her Bachelor of Science from Kansas State University in Life Sciences, she lived in the Kansas City area for 14 years before returning to the region. She is married to her husband Brent, who is a local dentist, and is mom to their twins, Ava and Carter, and twin pups Duff and Dash. She worked in the healthcare field for almost 15 years before joining the Greater Salina Community Foundation in December 2016.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- Local Staff Member
was born and grew up in Plainville, Kansas. After earning a degree in Business Education from Fort Hays State University, she and her husband, Phil moved to Colby where she taught business classes at Colby Community College. In 1992 they moved to Concordia and Brenda continued her career as an educator, teaching accounting, business, and Microsoft Office applications at Concordia High School and concurrently for Cloud County Community College. Since leaving formal education in 2019, she has worked part-time in banking and remotely in agricultural real estate marketing. She looks forward to using her passion for helping and educating people by working with the wonderful residents of North Central Kansas to grow the Community Foundation for Cloud County. Brenda's husband, Phil Gilliland, is a banker in Concordia. They have three grown children (Ryan, Eric, & Mallory), and five very active grandsons. Brenda enjoys watching CCCC baseball and is known for her yummy monster, chocolate chip, and chocolate mint cookies!
Job Titles:
- Certified Financial Planner
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Treasurer of the Board
Job Titles:
- Director of Grants & Scholarships
Jessica joined GSCF in February 2018. A Salina native, she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Kansas Wesleyan University. Previously, Jessica has worked as the assistant winemaker at Smoky Hill Vineyards and Winery. For the last seven years, she served as the assistant director of admissions at Kansas Wesleyan University. Jessica and her husband, Andrew, have two children, Kinsley and Kace.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- President
- Regional Staff Member
Jessica joined the community foundation in 2010 and has served in many different roles, including affiliate and youth coordinator, grants and scholarships coordinator, and, now, president and executive director. Her experience has given her a thorough understanding of the community and helped develop strong relationships throughout the region.
Kristin is a lifetime resident of Salina. She received her Associates of Arts in Accounting from Cloud County Community College and finished with a dual Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Business from Kansas Wesleyan University. Previously Kristin worked for 16 years in the agricultural field and then 5 years in the dental industry. She is an active board member and treasurer for the Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank. Kristin and her husband Wes have 2 children, Betsy and Tate and one fur baby, Rowdy. Their family enjoys attending Kansas State University games, children's activities and traveling. Kristin has also recently taken up a love of reading when she gets the chance.
Job Titles:
- Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Leah grew up in Shawnee, KS and received her B.S. degree in Apparel & Textile Design with a minor in Business Management from Kansas State University. She had a career in Product Development before moving to Salina in 2011, and has worked for USD 305 and taught yoga at the Salina YMCA and AWIP Yoga Studio, among other areas in the community. Leah and her husband Jacob have 3 children, Isabelle, Lillian and Otis, 2 goofy Frenchies, Bruno and Pheobe (Pee Wee) and lots of fish. She loves to travel, be active with running, practicing yoga, and read. She can usually be found anywhere her kids are.
Job Titles:
- Community Impact Team Coordinator
Megan was raised in Wayne, Nebraska and graduated from Midland University in Fremont, NE. She has since worked in the non-profit arena and has a passion for community, education, and connections. Before joining the Greater Salina Community Foundation, she contributed to the mission of Catholic Charities of Northern Kansas for a few years. She is married to Jacob and they have one beloved cat, Tuxedo. In her free time, Megan enjoys reading, playing rec volleyball and exploring new places. She looks forward to connecting with nonprofits and donors alike to meet the individual and collective needs of the community.
Michael Chambers grew up in Lindsborg, KS and graduated from Bethany College. He has worked and lived in Salina since 1995. Michael has a passion for bringing people together to support good ideas and has spent the majority of his career working in the non-profit world. He is married to Jim Loader and they have two dogs, Greta and Abby. In his free time, he enjoys taking walks, working in his yard, reading, and trying to play the guitar.
Job Titles:
- Affiliate Relations & Grants Coordinator
Natalie joined GSCF in August 2019. She grew up in Randall, Kansas, and earned a B.A. in Communication and B.S. in Physical Education (Recreation/Sports Management) with a field of emphasis in leadership studies from Fort Hays State University. Previously, Natalie worked in parks and recreation and education. She is actively engaged in her community and especially loves working with youth organizations. Natalie and her husband, David, have four children: Alana, Isaac, Evan and Odin. Together, they farm and raise their family near Solomon. Natalie also enjoys reading whenever she gets the chance and relaxing with family.
Rita is a lifetime resident of Salina. Prior to joining GSCF in June of 2015, she worked in customer service and management for local Salina banks for 24 years, then spent nine years as the administrative assistant to the Executive VP/Provost at Kansas Wesleyan University. She and her husband Charles have two children and three grandchildren. She has been involved in Noon Network Ambucs for the past 20 years. Rita is a graduate of Brown Mackie College and is excited to be with the Greater Salina Community Foundation!
Shanna King joined GSCF in June 2022. She served as the Accounting Services Director to the Presbyterian Manor for 17.5 years prior to joining the GSCF team. She has been a Meals on Wheels volunteer to the Salina Community for the past 8 years. Shanna enjoys spending time with her family and grandchildren, hiking, camping, fitness and supporting the Kansas Jayhawks. She is looking forward to working with everyone on the GSCF team and expanding her business and personal relationships within the area.