Meet the MO HealthNet Community Connection Members
Angela Burner
Information coming soon...
Austin Simons
Austin Simons is an advocate and community leader with experience in business management, healthcare advisory, and public service. He serves on the Patient and Family Advisory Council for Bothwell Regional Health Center, where he works to improve healthcare access and equity for patients and families.
He is Treasurer on the Board of Directors for Missouri Protection and Advocacy and chairs the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) Advisory Council, helping guide statewide efforts to protect the rights and well-being of individuals with mental illnesses. Austin was also recently elected to a seat on the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Missouri Board of Directors, a candidate for the Board of Directors of the Missouri Coalition for the Environment, and a member of the Sons of the American Revolution.
He has served as a Social Services Director, overseeing care planning, advocacy, and compliance in skilled nursing settings. His background also includes property management, community media, and local civic engagement.
Austin will graduate with his Master of Business Administration from the University of Central Missouri in December of this year. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business Management and an Associate of Arts in Business Management. His certifications include Lean Six Sigma White Belt, Youth Mental Health First Aid, NAMI Basics, and Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI).
Austin is dedicated to improving systems of care, strengthening community partnerships, and advancing positive change through advocacy and leadership.
Brogan Galariada
Information coming soon...
Cory Lambert
Cory Lambert is a licensed real estate agent with Property Pros Realty LLC, proudly serving clients throughout the greater St. Louis metropolitan area. Before entering real estate, Cory worked with fellow Missourians to help them understand their options for life and health insurance, ensuring they could make informed choices to help them take care of their health and well-being.
Cory also brings over 15 years of experience in corporate operations and management, having held leadership roles with Charter Communications and Amazon. Prior to his corporate career, he served five years of active duty in the United States Marine Corps, where he developed the discipline, work ethic, and commitment to service that continue to guide his professional life today.
Drawing on his diverse background, Cory combines strong analytical skills with a heart for service. He proudly contributes to his community as a member of the MO HealthNet Community Connection group, working to enhance access to vital resources and improve services for Missourians across our great state.
Courtney Leader
Courtney Leader is a Missouri mother of five and passionate advocate for families navigating complex medical needs and for individuals with developmental disabilities. With firsthand experience supporting a medically complex child who depends on Medicaid, she's learned that lived experience is invaluable.
She believes that everyone, regardless of formal training or education, deserves a seat at the tables where decisions are made that will impact them. She works to amplify the voices of families who need healthcare access most, empower self-advocates to gain confidence in their advocacy efforts, and professionally help people discover their voices and learn how to use them in a powerful way.
Delia Andrews
Information coming soon...
Diana Willard
Information coming soon
Donté Smith
Donté Smith bridges lived experience and systems design to reimagine how communities connect with care. With over 15 years in patient navigation, youth work, harm reduction, housing, and reproductive health, Donté turns complex public health goals into programs that build trust and belonging.
Currently a Case Manager and Partnerships Navigator with Lyrik’s Institute, Donté strengthens collaboration across public, nonprofit, and clinical sectors while guiding person-centered systems of care for justice-involved youth. A long-term HIV survivor, advocate, and 40 Under 40 Public Health Catalyst honoree, Donté is proud to serve as a MO HealthNet Community Connection member.
Elizabeth Kemper
Elizabeth Kemper is a Certified Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula, Certified Birth Instructor, and Perinatal Community Health Care Worker with the Doula Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Springfield, Missouri. Passionate about supporting families through every stage of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, Elizabeth brings both professional expertise and personal experience to her work.
As a wife and mother of three—two of whom faced significant health challenges—Elizabeth discovered her voice as an advocate for those who cannot always speak for themselves. This experience continues to inspire her commitment to compassionate, inclusive care for parents and babies.
When she’s not serving families in her community, Elizabeth enjoys traveling, spending time with her loved ones, and doting on her “perfect” grandchild.
Heather Hinnah
Heather Hinnah is the Senior Director of Clinical Programs and Engagement at Gateway to Hope, where she’s been making an impact since 2019. Over the years, she’s helped refine and improve programs for patients with breast cancer, ensuring they’re more personalized and address needs that often go unmet in the traditional hospital setting. Heather also played a key role in developing and launching the Navigation to Screening Program, which connects people in Missouri to essential breast imaging and mammography services. This program is just one example of her passion for expanding access to care and breaking down barriers to healthcare.
With a Master’s in Social Work earned in 2017 and clinical licensure in 2020, Heather is a dedicated social worker with a deep focus on healthcare. She’s particularly passionate about women’s health, end-of-life care, and issues affecting veterans. Heather’s personal experiences supporting loved ones with chronic and terminal illnesses have deeply influenced her career and continue to drive her commitment to providing compassionate care. Above all, Heather is committed to promoting healthcare equity and ensuring that everyone has access to the care they deserve.
Janice Ingram
Janice is the owner of Blissful Beginnings Doula Services LLC and an advocate for all. Serving as a birth professional for over 6 years with previous military and criminal justice education Janice brings a unique blend of discipline, compassion, and advocacy to everything she does. Certified as a doula and childbirth educator, Janice offers a wide range of support: from prenatal education and lactation peer counseling to mentoring new doulas and providing sibling care during births. She is especially committed to uplifting families who receive Medicaid assistance, ensuring they have access to vital resources.
Janice’s work extends beyond the birthing room. She’s known for her “boots on the ground” approach to advocacy, engaging in political and community efforts that center maternal health and family well-being. Though Blissful Beginnings operates as a for-profit business, Janice actively partners with initiatives like Cribs for Kids and Safe Kids to offer car seat safety classes and safe sleep education bridging gaps for families across Missouri and Kansas. When she’s not supporting families or mentoring fellow doulas, you’ll likely find Janice unwinding with a good video game, spending time with her family and exploring coffee shops.
Jenifer Broyles
Jenifer Broyles has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Missouri State University and a Master’s Degree in Social Science from Webster University.
Jenifer recently left her educational career to stay at home to support and advocate for her two adult children with Autism. She is looking forward to serving on the MO HealthNet Community Connection Team by working together to support all individuals with disabilities and their families.
Kacie Craig
Kacie Craig, M.Ed is the Executive Director of The Cute Syndrome Foundation and a dedicated advocate for individuals with complex medical needs. Her daughter, Stella, was diagnosed with SCN8A-related epilepsy at five months old, sparking Kacie’s passion for improving systems of care and support for medically fragile children and their families.
Since 2018, Kacie has served in various leadership roles with The Cute Syndrome Foundation, transitioning in 2022 from a career in radiography education to full-time advocacy.
She has been featured alongside her daughter in epilepsy awareness segments on KMOV Channel 4 News in St. Louis and KY3 News in Springfield, highlighting the importance of access, quality, and coordinated care for families like hers who rely on MO HealthNet.
Karen Kickham
Karen Kickham joins this group to further her goal of providing the best life possible for her daughter. After teaching for years Karen landed the most important, best job on earth: Mom of three remarkable human beings. Karen’s duties in this position have included becoming proficient in ensuring meaningful early intervention services, learning and practicing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) principles daily, attending soccer games on freezing mornings, baseball games with triple digit scores, parent teacher conferences, Individual Support Plan (ISP) and Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings, school plays, talent shows, Partners in Policymaking and serving as president of Special School District’s Parent Advisory Council. While they are adults now, she continues to find joy, wonder and pride in each of her three children. She also continues to learn and advocate for individualized, equitable, meaningful healthcare, education and access for all, especially those with significant disabilities who are unable to advocate for themselves.
Kory Wilcox
Kory Wilcox is a former Nonprofit Development professional turned stay-at-home parent and chief caregiver for his youngest son, "Super Asher," who was born in 2018 with a rare neuromuscular disease called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). Kory is a Nixa, MO native and current resident, where he and his wife Elizabeth are raising Asher and his two amazing older brothers - Caedmon (13) and Dominic (9).
Kory's passion for advocacy is fueled by his past work on behalf of families in crisis at Isabel's House in Springfield, as well as his family's own ongoing challenges navigating the complicated world of Missouri's Medicaid and Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver programs for Asher.
Kory believes in putting the rare gifts of time coupled with experience to use for good. In addition to serving a term with MCC, he currently serves in the following capacities:
- as Cubmaster of Cub Scouts Pack 200 in Nixa
- a volunteer United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Youth Bowling Coach, a member of his local church's Worship Arts Team
- a member of the Scholarship Review Committee at Community Foundation of the Ozarks (CFO) in Springfield
- a registered Peer Mentor with Missouri Family to Family
- a regular volunteer with Springfield Little Theatre and Mosaic Arts Collective
- a member of a local disability-related financial assistance Board; the Concerned Citizens Helping Christian Countians with Developmental Disabilities (CCHCCDD) Board in Christian County.
In his "spare time," Kory enjoys playing and writing music, bowling, and dreaming about Disney vacations with his wife!
Leatta Workman
Leatta Workman is interested in removing barriers to understanding healthcare options in Missouri. She has a master's degree in human resource development from Pittsburg State University. Born with a disability and the mother of 10 children who joined her family through birth and adoption, Leatta and her family have been impacted by various Medicaid programs. Professionally, Leatta has owned small businesses, served in non-profit administration, taught Master of Business Administration (MBA) courses, and has worked as an advocate, parent educator, case manager and direct support staff.
Melissa Rose
Information coming soon...
Reed Hopper
Reed Hopper is the Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer at a private holding company, Westward Alliance, with professional experience across diverse industries, including consumer products, food manufacturing, commercial construction, hospitality, real estate, family office, and private equity. Based in Nixa, Missouri, Reed holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Missouri State University (2004).
Reed and his wife, Rachel, are the proud parents of Wesley and Rose Hopper. Reed's family is experienced with MO HealthNet through the Missouri Children with Developmental Disabilities Waiver (MOCDD), also known as the Sarah Lopez Waiver, which provides access to invaluable support and services for their daughter, Rose.