Community Advocate

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Tony is a former retail marketing director, and new owner of a custom embroidery studio. As a loss survivor, Tony works to prevent suicide by improving awareness in the community. In addition to suicide prevention and good mental health, Tony advocates for the LGBTQ+ community.

Prevention Coordinator
Johnson County Mental Health Center

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Megan works with community partners to prevent substance use and suicide along with promoting mental health. Megan has been in her role at JCMHC and working on suicide prevention efforts since 2012. Megan is a safeTALK (Suicide Alertness for Everyone) trainer, QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) trainer and is a master’s level ASIST trainer (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training). Megan is the Secretary of coalition and has been in that role since the start of the coalition.

Director of Prevention and Community Relations
Johnson County Mental Health Center

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Shana serves as the Director of Prevention and Community Relations for JCMHC and is a member of the center’s executive leadership team. Based on a local spike in completed suicides in 2012, Shana and her team worked to establish the Johnson County Suicide Prevention Coalition. The coalition has since grown to over 450 members and has made a significant collective impact in preventing suicide and promoting mental health. Shana is passionate about prevention and believes in the power of communities to make a difference.
 

Director of Social Emotional Learning and Mental Health Services
USD 233 Olathe Public Schools

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Angie leads the Olathe Public School District's social emotional learning and mental health initiatives and personnel. Angie is passionate about suicide prevention, especially youth prevention after providing post-vention services after suicide deaths in her school district. In the Olathe Schools, Angie helped bring the SOS--Signs of Suicide Program to all  high schools.
 

Programs Coordinator
Johnson County Department of Corrections

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Mary Ann provides oversight to the Intake and Assessment Center and uses evidence-based programming for youth in confinement at the Juvenile Detention Center. She is passionate about preventing and addressing suicide prevention in our community and especially regarding the most vulnerable population, our youth. She is blessed to have three beautiful girls, adopted from the state foster care system on life’s journey.

Director of Holistic Wellness + Spiritual Life
KidsTLC

Troy works at KidsTLC as the Direction of Holistic Wellnes + Spiritual Life that serves both the Clients and the Staff, evaluating systems, and a bit of work in Development. 

Troy has been an advocate for Wellness throughout his professional life, taking multitudes of classes offered at the Kauffman Foundation on Suicide Strategies of Prevention and post care, forming networks in different circles. He is a “connector,” developing partnerships with the community at-large. This includes forming partnerships with local non-profit organizations, community service organizations, and public schools.

Senior Director of Integrated Community Care
Children's Mercy Hospital

She is responsible for the oversight of delegated medical & behavioral health functions for health plans contracted with Children's Mercy's Pediatric Care Network. Carey also oversees community partnerships which aim to support children and families in reaching optimal health and wellbeing.  Carey is a masters prepared Social Worker and Accredited Case Manager with 25 years of experience in health care.  Carey currently serves as the Lee's Summit appointee on the Health Forward Foundation's Community Advisory Committee.

Director of Behavioral Health
AdventHealth Shawnee Mission

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Rennie leads the Behavioral Health Service Line to provide comprehensive treatment for those with mental and substance use issues. She has spent her career connecting with individuals who are considering ending their lives and assisting them in finding hope, treatment, and resources. Rennie is honored to serve our community in efforts towards ending suicide. 

Team Leader
Johnson County Mental Health

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Kevin is the Team Leader for the Mobile Crisis Response Team.Kevin believes we all need to work together with our community to help those who struggle with suicide. Suicide intervention is something Keving is passionate about and in which he is well versed. Kevin has experienced the impact of suicide both as a professional and personally.

Coordinator for Greater KC Mental Health Coalition and Youth Programming
Jewish Family Services of Kansas City

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Sondra provides leadership and vision for the Greater KC Mental Health Coalition and Mental Health programming to schools across the KC metro. An unwavering focus to meet social, emotional and wellness needs of our youth, educators and community has always been at the heart of her work. After losing a student to suicide in 2011, she began advocated for intentional and effective approaches that build hope, resiliency and strength in our youth. She feels honored and privileged to do this important work in her hometown.