KACF is governed by a volunteer board and operated by an executive director and regional liaison groups.

Lori Huber

Lori Huber, KACF Finance and Operations Manager, has over twenty years experience in non-profit management and development. While working in economic development in Nebraska, Lori saw the impact that the Nebraska Community Foundations had on rural communities. When she transitioned to Kansas, she wanted similar resources for the communities in which she worked. This prompted her involvement as a founding member of the Kansas Association of Community Foundations in 2005.

During this time, she also recruited a team of volunteers to help start and build the Washington County Community Foundation. She wrote a Kansas Health Foundation GROW II grant to provide matching funds for the development of the organization. She designed a founder's fund, promoted it to potential funders, and served on the board until term limits required her departure in 2016. She also gave presentations and assistance to neighboring communities in the development of their community foundations.

Lori has over thirty years of experience in starting and growing non-profits, businesses and communities in north-central Kansas and south-central Nebraska. This background provides a diverse knowledge and network from which to draw upon. Projects and grants include: needs assessments; historic district survey and nomination; downtown redesign; housing; commercial building rehabs; economic development; AmeriCorps VISTA and NCCC; capacity building; program services; entrepreneurship; brownfields; workforce development; tourism and Hometown Competitiveness a program which focuses on growing rural areas by focusing on philanthropy, leadership, entrepreneurship, and youth.

Lori received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Kansas State University.

Chris Harris

Kansas Leadership Center 

Chris was Senior Program Officer in Entrepreneurship at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Chris managed the Market Gaps grant program, which seeked to build and expand the most effective entrepreneurial support models addressing critical barriers for entrepreneurs across the United States. Prior to joining the Kauffman Foundation, Harris was a program director for the Kansas Department of Commerce, where he developed and managed programs to support nonprofit capital campaigns, early-stage equity funding for startups, and address rural out-migration issues. He also was involved with setting legislative strategy and providing testimony.

Harris earned a Master of Business Administration from Fort Hays State University and a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Kansas. A lifelong Kansan, Chris lives in rural Douglas County with his wife and son.

Marla Brandon

Greater Manhattan Community Foundation, KACF Treasurer

Marla Brandon joined the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation staff in December of 2012. She has over thirty years experience in the accounting and finance field. Marla grew up in Manhattan and currently lives in Wamego with her husband, Brian. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Friends University and a Master of Business Administration from Baker University. Marla is a graduate of the Flint Hills Regional Leadership Program and has served on its Board of Directors. Marla serves on the Board of Directors of the Manhattan Area Technical College Foundation and is a past board member of the Manhattan Area Technical College Board. She is a past adjunct instructor teaching financial and managerial accounting at the University of Mary and Highland Community College, and operations management at Kansas State University. Marla is a member of the Pilot Club of Manhattan and serves as its Treasurer.  

Karl Pratt

Executive Director, Sheridan County Community Foundation 

Karl is a 2006 graduate of Hoxie High School and 2014 graduate of Fort Hays State University, Hays, having received a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance degree.

He served as the Communications Coordinator of the FHSU Alumni Association from June 2014 to December 2018, working remotely the last few months after moving home to Hoxie in August to begin serving as the first-ever staff person of the Sheridan County Community Foundation in October of that year.

In addition to his part-time position with the foundation as Executive Director, he serves as the Executive Director of the Main Street Arts Council, while also teaching private voice and piano lessons virtually and in Hoxie at Bottle KAP Studios, a building on Main Street, which currently houses the offices of the foundation and arts council as well as Pratt’s residence.

With the arts council, he helps produce an annual multi-town, multi-show summer theater festival for northwest Kansas area youth as well as developing and assisting with other arts-related projects and events such as art walks, classes and workshops, adult community theater, and community choir activities.

As the SCCF Executive Director, Pratt handles the day-to-day management of the foundation, including web and social communications, spearheading the Strategic Doing and Planned Giving initiatives, assisting the board with meetings and grants management, hosting community events, and more. In the last year, he has added work in the economic development realm for Sheridan County, and is in his second year as vice president of the local Hoxie Area Chamber of Commerce.

Holly Launchbaugh

Executive Director, South Central Community Foundation, KACF Vice-Chair Person

Holly Launchbaugh is the Executive Director for South Central Community Foundation (SCCF).  With a service area of seven counties in South Central Kansas, SCCF addresses community needs, philanthropy, and amplifying their impact through grassroots grant making.

Prior to her job as Executive Director, Holly served the Foundation in many capacities since 2013. She managed SCCF’s Youth Making a Difference program which is geared towards high school students, teaching philanthropy and the importance of giving back to their communities. Holly was selected as the 2018 Emerging Leader in Philanthropy by Kittleman and Associates and most recently the 2020 Pratt Young Professional of the Year.

Holly is a proud graduate of Emporia State University earning a BS in Business with an emphasis in Marketing. She stays active in her community serving as a member of the Pratt Dog Park Committee, Big View Committee for the Circles out of Poverty Program, Pratt Young Professionals, and is a current board member for the Leadership League of South Central Kansas.

Marci Penner

Kansas Sampler Foundation, KACF Secretary 

Marci Penner is the executive director of the Inman-based Kansas Sampler Foundation, and author, speaker, promoter and supporter of rural Kansas. Marci and her dad founded the 501c3 non-profit in 1993 after traveling the state to write three guidebooks.

Addressing two main issues observed on their early travels, the mission is to preserve and sustain rural culture by educating Kansans about Kansas and networking and supporting rural communities.

Some of the better known projects are the Kansas Sampler Festival, the Big Kansas Road Trip, the Kansas Explorers Club, 8 Wonders of Kansas contests and guidebook, the PowerUp Movement, We Kan! awards and conference, and two editions of the Kansas Guidebook for Explorers.

Marci was named Distinguished Kansas of the Year in 2005 and has received other state and national awards for her work with rural communities.

Eric Hozempa

CEO, Longmont Community Foundation, KACF Chair Person

Eric has more than 30 years of nonprofit experience in his current position as the CEO of the Longmont Community Foundation, Eric works to improve the community through philanthropy and charitable leadership.

Prior to working for the Foundation, Eric was employed as a consultant with Richard Male & Associates (RMA), specifically in the areas of fundraising and marketing.  Eric has presented at local and national trainings and facilitated nonprofit discussions and retreats on topics ranging from major gift fundraising to strategic planning.  Prior to his work with RMA, Eric worked with a variety of small to large Colorado nonprofits that focus on volunteer management, health care, the environment, and arts and culture issues.  His work experience includes: Program Manager for Metro Volunteers, Director of Development for Dental Aid, Development Director for Eco-Cycle and Membership Director for Rocky Mountain PBS.

In addition to his work commitments, Eric serves on the boards of the Advancement Network and is past President of the Boulder County Estate Planning Council.

Eric grew up in Boulder County and graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder with a B.A. in philosophy.    Eric enjoys hiking, fly fishing, roasting his own coffee, riding his scooter, and gardening.

Conny Bogaard

Western Kansas Community Foundation, Past KACF Chair Person

Conny Bogaard is the executive director of Western Kansas Community Foundation (WKCF) in Garden City, KS. With a service area of 15 counties in Southwest Kansas the WKCF is the region’s hub for philanthropy, simplifying giving and amplifying impact through connecting individual donors to causes they care about, and using the power of collective giving to address the region’s greatest challenges. The WKCF holds more than 200 funds established by individuals, families and organizations, each making a difference in their own unique way.

Prior to moving to Kansas in 2015, Conny worked in the museum field and taught art history and museum studies at the college level. She brings over 20 years of nonprofit experience to her position. Having directed several museums in the US and the Netherlands, Conny acquired specialized development skills, especially in the areas of strategic planning, philanthropic giving and social entrepreneurship. The growing WKCF offers a stimulating environment to pursue her objectives of building stronger communities through sustained citizenship and partnership building. Serving on the board of KACF offers a wonderful opportunity to learn about other communities and the challenges they face.

Conny earned a Master’s Degree in Art History with specialization in Museum Studies from the University of Utrecht, the Netherlands, and a doctorate in philosophy, aesthetics and art theory from the Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts (IDSVA). Conny has published on the civic role of museums and continues to pursue her passion for art theory and philosophy as a writing fellow for IDSVA. Conny loves reading, music, art, hiking and traveling around the world with her partner, Boyd.

Angie Tatro

Central Kansas Community Foundation

Angie Tatro, the Executive Director of Central Kansas Community Foundation based in Newton, Kansas, has worked in the community foundation field since 2008. The mission of this not-for-profit organization is Building Stronger Communities through Charitable Giving. Managing over $19M in charitable assets for community impact is a privilege for this community minded servant.

Holding 30 years of experience in the health and human service field, Angie has a vast array of knowledge and experience. She holds a Master of Social Work Degree from the University of Kansas and is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in the state of Kansas. Her career path has included direct service and executive positions in her work with a community mental health center, a Mental Health Association, inpatient and outpatient behavioral health settings, an information and referral hotline (2-1-1), a California based YMCA and now community centered community foundation work.

Rosemary Dorsa

Retired, Vice President, Indiana Philanthropy Alliance

Director, GIFT Technical Assistance Program

Rosemary has spent her career in the philanthropic sector. In her current role, she provides leadership to the GIFT program which provides board and staff training, consulting, and networking opportunities for over 90 community foundations in Indiana. Prior to joining GIFT, Rosemary was with Central Indiana Community Foundation from 1993 to 2010, serving in various roles including Chief Operating Officer and Vice President for Partnerships and Community Initiatives. She also worked for the United Way of Central Indiana and Community Centers of Indianapolis. Rosemary has served on numerous not-for-profit boards including Indiana Humanities, Indianapolis Parks Foundation, TechPoint Foundation and the Lacy Leadership Association. 

Ernestor De La Rosa

Community Foudation of Southwes Kansas, Board Member. City of Dodge City, KS, Ass't City Manager/Legislative Affairs

Like many rural leaders, Ernestor wears many hats. Ernestor is a Board Member of the Community Foundation of Southwest Kansas. In his day job, he oversees the City’s Public Transportation and Human Resources Departments and serves as the City’s Legislative Affairs Director. He also coordinates the efforts of the Southwest Kansas Coalition and facilitates the Complete Count Committee for the Census 2020 efforts in Dodge City and Ford County. Governor Laura Kelly appointed Ernestor to serve on the Kansas Hispanic & Latino American Affairs Commission and the Kansas Racial Equity and Justice Commission, representing the City of Dodge City. He is also part of the Thrive Rural Theory of Change Working Group with the Aspen Institute and collaborates with the Kansas Health Foundation on different initiatives. Ernestor was born and raised in Mexico, immigrated to the United States at the age of 13, and is a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient.

Heather Hoy

Douglas County Community Foundation

Hoy is the Director of Philanthropy and Community Relations for the Douglas County Community Foundation in Lawrence.  Heather has worked in a range of nonprofit and government organizations over her career, including: the Kansas Legislature; the University of Kansas; Van Go Mobile Arts; the Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority, and the Lawrence Arts Center.

Heather has worked in the areas of program development, constituent relationships, homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing administration, operations and capital campaign fundraising, as well as academic conference and event planning. Heather is a graduate of the University of Kansas with undergraduate degrees in Spanish and Political Science, and a Master of Public Administration from the Edwin O. Stene School of Public Administration at KU.

Heather began working at DCCF in 2017, and she is responsible for: donor communications; website, print, and social media marketing; as well as planning community, donor, and nonprofit organization events for the foundation. Beginning in 2019, Heather worked with Douglas County community leaders to develop and implement Leadership Douglas County, a recognized Community Leadership Program of the Kansas Leadership Center, and she is the Director of that program as well.

She is a graduate of Leadership Lawrence 2018, an ex-officio board member of the KU Friends of the Theatre Board, an exofficio member of the Outside for a Better Inside Board, and a member of the Lawrence Rotary Club.

Heather's husband, Matt, is an attorney at Stevens & Brand in Lawrence. They have two sons - Jackson, a Personnel Evaluator for the Memphis Grizzlies; and Keaton, a second-year student studying music composition at the Mannes School of Music at the New School in New York City. She loves people, her beagles, live music, reading, yoga, and traveling.

Devin Gorman

Executive Director, Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas

Devin Gorman joined CFSEK in August of 2021. Prior to joining the Community Foundation, he served as Executive Director of the Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Vice President of the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce. A two-time graduate of Pittsburg State University, Gorman holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in marketing and a Master of Business Administration degree. He is also a graduate of the Institute for Organization Management.

Gorman is passionate about community service. He serves on numerous boards in the Pittsburg area, including as past president of the Pittsburg Area Young Professionals, past president of the Pittsburg Public Library Board, and in 2013 he was selected by the Joplin Regional Business Journal as a "Regional Man of Distinction." He is a member of Kiwanis, Toastmasters, Knights of Columbus, and a handful of other civic organizations.

Devin and his wife, Misty, are both from the Southeast Kansas area. They enjoy raising their two children, Finn and Joni, in the Pittsburg community. They love to travel, attend live music shows, and participate in community events.

Lisa Schalla

Connecting Communities in the Americas, CFLeads

Lisa Schalla, Ed.D. is a former international educator and Mexican community foundation CEO who now directs the Connecting Communities in the Americas initiative at CFLeads. Having lived in Mexico for many years, Lisa brings a bilingual and multicultural lens to promoting peer learning and partnerships between community foundations and across borders.  Lisa is especially passionate about family and community assets and the role of participatory evaluation in moving programs forward.

• Advocacy Committee

  • Ryan Roberts – Scott Community Foundation
  • Becky Goss – McPherson County Community Foundation, Chair
  • Joshua Lewis - V Wealth
  • Yazmin Wood - Legacy Regional Community Foundation

• The KACF Conference Committee

  • Christy Tustin  – Golden Belt Community Foundation 
  • Angie Tatro - Central Kansas Community Foundation
  • Holly Launchbaugh - South Central Community Foundation
  • Leslie Scoby - Sabetha Community Foundation 
  • Rosemary Dorsa - retired, Indiana Philanthropy Alliance - Chair
  • Karl Pratt - Sheridan County Community Foundation

• Marketing Committee

  • Holly Launchbaugh - South Central Community Foundation, Chair
  • Teresa Powelson - Golden Belt Community Foundation
  • Conny Bogaard - Western Kansas Community Foundation
  • Annika Wilson - Greater Salina Community Foundation

• Finance and Investments Committee

  • Marla Brandon - Greater Manhattan Community Foundation, Chair
  • Eric Kientz - Kientz & Penick, CPAs, LLC 
  • Devin Gorman - Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas
  • Eric Hozempa - Longmont Foundation

I. Western Kansas

Ryan Roberts  - Scott Community Foundation

II. South Central and Southeast Kansas

Theresa Hearn - Derby Community Foundation 

III. Central North and Central East Kansas

Vern Henricks - Greater Manhattan Community Foundation