#BeMoreLikeClaire
Board of Directors
President
Chris Peoples, Shareholder and the LegalShield supervising attorney at Riling, Burkhead & Nitcher, Chtd.
Chris originally came to Lawrence as an undergraduate at the University of Kansas and is an avid Jayhawks fan, Rock Chalk! After graduating in 2003 with a degree in Political Science, he moved back to Kansas City to attend law school at UMKC. It did not take long for him to realize how much he missed the Lawrence community. In 2008 he moved back to Lawrence and began working at Riling, Burkhead & Nitcher, Chtd. Chris brings with him over 16 years of legal experience. He enjoys spending time with his wife, their English Bull Mastiff, Hosmer, and friends in his free time.
Chris met Shannon through the Leadership Lawrence program and quickly realized that he wanted to be a part of this important organization and help continue Claire's mission to help others. One of the things that he loves most about Lawrence is the community's willingness, passion, and commitment to help others. This aligns with Claire's mission, and Chris is excited to be a part of #BeMoreLikeClaire.
Chris Peoples, Shareholder and the LegalShield supervising attorney at Riling, Burkhead & Nitcher, Chtd.
Chris originally came to Lawrence as an undergraduate at the University of Kansas and is an avid Jayhawks fan, Rock Chalk! After graduating in 2003 with a degree in Political Science, he moved back to Kansas City to attend law school at UMKC. It did not take long for him to realize how much he missed the Lawrence community. In 2008 he moved back to Lawrence and began working at Riling, Burkhead & Nitcher, Chtd. Chris brings with him over 16 years of legal experience. He enjoys spending time with his wife, their English Bull Mastiff, Hosmer, and friends in his free time.
Chris met Shannon through the Leadership Lawrence program and quickly realized that he wanted to be a part of this important organization and help continue Claire's mission to help others. One of the things that he loves most about Lawrence is the community's willingness, passion, and commitment to help others. This aligns with Claire's mission, and Chris is excited to be a part of #BeMoreLikeClaire.
Vice President
Will Averill, Director of Communications & Marketing for Community Children's Center
Will is a writer, performer, father, and proud townie. Will has lived in Lawrence all his life except for 8 years he spent in England. Will has several published plays for middle school students, and is co-Artistic Director of Lawrence's Card Table Theatre. He has an amazing wife, son and Daisy, the world's largest dog.
Will became familiar with #BeMoreLikeClaire when working on Claire's Community with The Willow. Shannon wanted to create a curriculum to help parents engage in conversations about domestic and relationship violence with their kids. Will was so impressed with the passion that Shannon and Claire's friends showed in creating such positive works out of such a tragic situation. Although he never knew Claire, he very much feels her spirit in the work and is excited to be a part of that legacy.
Will Averill, Director of Communications & Marketing for Community Children's Center
Will is a writer, performer, father, and proud townie. Will has lived in Lawrence all his life except for 8 years he spent in England. Will has several published plays for middle school students, and is co-Artistic Director of Lawrence's Card Table Theatre. He has an amazing wife, son and Daisy, the world's largest dog.
Will became familiar with #BeMoreLikeClaire when working on Claire's Community with The Willow. Shannon wanted to create a curriculum to help parents engage in conversations about domestic and relationship violence with their kids. Will was so impressed with the passion that Shannon and Claire's friends showed in creating such positive works out of such a tragic situation. Although he never knew Claire, he very much feels her spirit in the work and is excited to be a part of that legacy.
Secretary
Kristy Weeks, Owner, Sacred Self Hypnotherapy and Coaching
Kristy Weeks has a BA in Psychology at Pittsburg State University in 2003, then her MS in Counseling at Oklahoma State University in 2011. Kristy is a counselor, hypnotherapist, NLP Practitioner, TIME Techniques Practitioner, Success Coach, EFT Practitioner, and Reiki Practitioner. All these modalities together mean that she works with people to reach a deeper level of transformation through holistic practices to make lasting change utilizing the subconscious mind. She is the owner of Sacred Self Hypnotherapy and Coaching, a private hypnosis practice in Lawrence, KS. She has over 20 years of experience in the human services field. In her spare time she likes to spend time with friends and family, travel, read, or in the nearest body of water.
Kristy got involved with #BeMoreLikeClaire because she is passionate about working with victims of domestic violence and addressing the systemic issues that contribute to the stigma surrounding relationship violence.
Kristy Weeks, Owner, Sacred Self Hypnotherapy and Coaching
Kristy Weeks has a BA in Psychology at Pittsburg State University in 2003, then her MS in Counseling at Oklahoma State University in 2011. Kristy is a counselor, hypnotherapist, NLP Practitioner, TIME Techniques Practitioner, Success Coach, EFT Practitioner, and Reiki Practitioner. All these modalities together mean that she works with people to reach a deeper level of transformation through holistic practices to make lasting change utilizing the subconscious mind. She is the owner of Sacred Self Hypnotherapy and Coaching, a private hypnosis practice in Lawrence, KS. She has over 20 years of experience in the human services field. In her spare time she likes to spend time with friends and family, travel, read, or in the nearest body of water.
Kristy got involved with #BeMoreLikeClaire because she is passionate about working with victims of domestic violence and addressing the systemic issues that contribute to the stigma surrounding relationship violence.
Treasurer
Shari Hicks, Deputy Register of Deeds for Douglas County
Shari has worked for Douglas County since 2016 and currently serves as the Deputy of the Register of Deeds. She was born and raised in Douglas County and has lived in Lawrence for almost 30 years. She has a passion for her community. That passion has led her to volunteer with several area groups throughout the years. Whether it be serving meals to those in need, working with shelter dogs or leading group runs, she always enjoys giving back. Shari also enjoys serving her community through her career with Douglas County Kansas. In her spare time Shari enjoys time with family, her two rescue dogs, friends, listening to live music and several outdoor activities including trail running, kayaking and gravel biking. She can often be found running the local trails as well as taking adventures with friends around the country.
Shari met Shannon through the Leadership Lawrence program and loves everything that #BeMoreLikeClaire represents. She is very excited to be a part of the Board because it aligns with her passion for everyone to feel safe, healthy and happy.
Shari Hicks, Deputy Register of Deeds for Douglas County
Shari has worked for Douglas County since 2016 and currently serves as the Deputy of the Register of Deeds. She was born and raised in Douglas County and has lived in Lawrence for almost 30 years. She has a passion for her community. That passion has led her to volunteer with several area groups throughout the years. Whether it be serving meals to those in need, working with shelter dogs or leading group runs, she always enjoys giving back. Shari also enjoys serving her community through her career with Douglas County Kansas. In her spare time Shari enjoys time with family, her two rescue dogs, friends, listening to live music and several outdoor activities including trail running, kayaking and gravel biking. She can often be found running the local trails as well as taking adventures with friends around the country.
Shari met Shannon through the Leadership Lawrence program and loves everything that #BeMoreLikeClaire represents. She is very excited to be a part of the Board because it aligns with her passion for everyone to feel safe, healthy and happy.
Past President
Shelly Triplett, Development Administrator. Communications and Donor Relations department, KU Endowment
Shelly was a golfer at the University of Kansas and a member of the Big 8 champion Women’s golf team. She was a stay at home mom for 20 years in Topeka and volunteered for various preschool, elementary and secondary parent roles. She joined the Lawrence community a few years ago and is becoming more comfortable with her empty nest lifestyle. Shelly now serves as the Development Administrator in the Communications and Donor Relations Department with the KU Endowment. Realizing that much of her free time was spent doing things her family wanted, Shelly has found a desire to give back by volunteering for a charity near to her heart.
Losing her best childhood friend to domestic violence has sparked a need to give back in her friend's memory. She is excited for the opportunity to serve on the #BeMoreLikeClaire board, forming new relationships, and sharing her knowledge through her work of donor relations.
Shelly Triplett, Development Administrator. Communications and Donor Relations department, KU Endowment
Shelly was a golfer at the University of Kansas and a member of the Big 8 champion Women’s golf team. She was a stay at home mom for 20 years in Topeka and volunteered for various preschool, elementary and secondary parent roles. She joined the Lawrence community a few years ago and is becoming more comfortable with her empty nest lifestyle. Shelly now serves as the Development Administrator in the Communications and Donor Relations Department with the KU Endowment. Realizing that much of her free time was spent doing things her family wanted, Shelly has found a desire to give back by volunteering for a charity near to her heart.
Losing her best childhood friend to domestic violence has sparked a need to give back in her friend's memory. She is excited for the opportunity to serve on the #BeMoreLikeClaire board, forming new relationships, and sharing her knowledge through her work of donor relations.
Kayla Deere, Co-owner and hairstylist at Images Salon
Kayla knew from a very young age that her dream was to become a hairstylist. With her gift of gab, love of beauty, and an eagerness to make others feel good about themselves, Kayla moved to Lawrence in 2000 and began her career as a hairstylist. In 2009, she became the Co-owner of Images Salon. Kayla is a mother of 3, and enjoys spending time with family and friends. In her spare time she enjoys watching her kids play sports, repurposing furniture, trivia, gardening, being outside, music, hosting any theme party, sunshine and laughing. Another passion of Kayla's has always been volunteering and giving back to our community.
Kayla met Shannon in their Leadership Lawrence class and was moved when she heard Claire's story. She is honored to be on the Board and a part of this amazing organization. Kayla's values align with #BeMoreLikeClaire and Claire's community. A mother herself, her children's happiness and wellbeing is paramount. She is dedicated to Claire's mission of educating our community and putting an end to interpersonal violence.
Kayla knew from a very young age that her dream was to become a hairstylist. With her gift of gab, love of beauty, and an eagerness to make others feel good about themselves, Kayla moved to Lawrence in 2000 and began her career as a hairstylist. In 2009, she became the Co-owner of Images Salon. Kayla is a mother of 3, and enjoys spending time with family and friends. In her spare time she enjoys watching her kids play sports, repurposing furniture, trivia, gardening, being outside, music, hosting any theme party, sunshine and laughing. Another passion of Kayla's has always been volunteering and giving back to our community.
Kayla met Shannon in their Leadership Lawrence class and was moved when she heard Claire's story. She is honored to be on the Board and a part of this amazing organization. Kayla's values align with #BeMoreLikeClaire and Claire's community. A mother herself, her children's happiness and wellbeing is paramount. She is dedicated to Claire's mission of educating our community and putting an end to interpersonal violence.
Beth Easter, Market President at INTRUST Bank
Beth is a graduate of the University of Kansas with a bachelor's degree in human biology and attended the Graduate School of Banking in Colorado. She transition from small business owner to INTRUST Bank Market President with the intent to utilize her personal experience for the financial empowerment of others. For over a decade, she has been passionately providing business customers with solutions for their various financial needs. Beth is also dedicated to developing her employees into trust advisors and strong community stewards. She serves her communities through membership with the Topeka Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Topeka Community Foundation Impact Investing Fund Committee, Lawrence Chamber of Commerce Finance Committee and Kansas Housing Association. Beth also volunteers her time through National Charity League and serves as Treasurer on the board of Cottonwood, Inc.
Beth is a graduate of the University of Kansas with a bachelor's degree in human biology and attended the Graduate School of Banking in Colorado. She transition from small business owner to INTRUST Bank Market President with the intent to utilize her personal experience for the financial empowerment of others. For over a decade, she has been passionately providing business customers with solutions for their various financial needs. Beth is also dedicated to developing her employees into trust advisors and strong community stewards. She serves her communities through membership with the Topeka Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Topeka Community Foundation Impact Investing Fund Committee, Lawrence Chamber of Commerce Finance Committee and Kansas Housing Association. Beth also volunteers her time through National Charity League and serves as Treasurer on the board of Cottonwood, Inc.
Debbie McCord, Retired
Debbie was born and raised in Kansas City, Kansas. She has a Bachelor degree in Communications. For a time, she lived in Northern California and worked for Xerox. She moved back to Kansas to be near family and ended up in Lawrence working at the School of Social Welfare at the University of Kansas, planning events, training, etc. and is so grateful for all she learned about mental health during those years. Later, she worked at KU Endowment and served as the fundraiser for the School of Social Welfare and the Libraries for 10 years until she retired in 2018. She loves hanging out with her family and pets. They enjoy hiking, working out, and taking trips to Colorado. She is happiest when she is near water, especially the ocean.
She is passionate about serving the community. In 2016 she received care for a heart problem at St. Luke's Hospital in KC. After that experience, she trained at the Mayo Clinic to learn how to be a volunteer as a Women Heart Champion checking on women post-surgery and providing information. It is one way she has been giving back. She has also served two terms on the Board of Just Food in Lawrence. Debbie is elated to be part of #BeMoreLikeClaire and to help make a difference.
Debbie was born and raised in Kansas City, Kansas. She has a Bachelor degree in Communications. For a time, she lived in Northern California and worked for Xerox. She moved back to Kansas to be near family and ended up in Lawrence working at the School of Social Welfare at the University of Kansas, planning events, training, etc. and is so grateful for all she learned about mental health during those years. Later, she worked at KU Endowment and served as the fundraiser for the School of Social Welfare and the Libraries for 10 years until she retired in 2018. She loves hanging out with her family and pets. They enjoy hiking, working out, and taking trips to Colorado. She is happiest when she is near water, especially the ocean.
She is passionate about serving the community. In 2016 she received care for a heart problem at St. Luke's Hospital in KC. After that experience, she trained at the Mayo Clinic to learn how to be a volunteer as a Women Heart Champion checking on women post-surgery and providing information. It is one way she has been giving back. She has also served two terms on the Board of Just Food in Lawrence. Debbie is elated to be part of #BeMoreLikeClaire and to help make a difference.
Kiley Nottingham, Director of Events at Abe and Jake's Landing
Kiley moved to Lawrence in 2003 to pursue a passion for Floral and Interior Design. After college, Kiley has spent over a decade working in the area of event planning at several venues in Lawrence. For the last eight years she has served as the Venue Director at Abe & Jake's Landing planning events and weddings. Kiley is enthusiastic and absolutely always willing to make any accommodation when it comes to making your event take the leap from "special" to "a dream come true". Kiley enjoys spending time with her kids and keeping up on the latest makeup trends, playing games and participating in home dance parties and a good movie night. These times together create lasting memories filled with laughter and joy. Kiley has learned the importance of having a strong role model and wishes nothing more than to encourage her kids and every person she comes into contact with to just be unapologetically themselves. Kiley accepts people for who they are and helps shine a light for them on their darkest days.
Connecting with so many people led her to the decision to join the board of #BeMoreLikeClaire where she may have the chance to make a difference in someone's life. Having kids has created a passion to advocate, spread awareness and educate on the topic of domestic violence. Being a part of #BeMoreLikeClaire is a way for her to empower future generations and educating them about domestic violence, the steps to take in creating healthy boundaries, and the corrective actions to take when those boundaries have been crossed.
Kiley moved to Lawrence in 2003 to pursue a passion for Floral and Interior Design. After college, Kiley has spent over a decade working in the area of event planning at several venues in Lawrence. For the last eight years she has served as the Venue Director at Abe & Jake's Landing planning events and weddings. Kiley is enthusiastic and absolutely always willing to make any accommodation when it comes to making your event take the leap from "special" to "a dream come true". Kiley enjoys spending time with her kids and keeping up on the latest makeup trends, playing games and participating in home dance parties and a good movie night. These times together create lasting memories filled with laughter and joy. Kiley has learned the importance of having a strong role model and wishes nothing more than to encourage her kids and every person she comes into contact with to just be unapologetically themselves. Kiley accepts people for who they are and helps shine a light for them on their darkest days.
Connecting with so many people led her to the decision to join the board of #BeMoreLikeClaire where she may have the chance to make a difference in someone's life. Having kids has created a passion to advocate, spread awareness and educate on the topic of domestic violence. Being a part of #BeMoreLikeClaire is a way for her to empower future generations and educating them about domestic violence, the steps to take in creating healthy boundaries, and the corrective actions to take when those boundaries have been crossed.
Conor Taft, Associate Director of Development at KU Endowment
A native of the Chicago area, Conor has called Lawrence home since 2009 when he arrived as a freshman at KU. When he's not working as a fundraiser at KU Endowment, he enjoys spending time with friends, exercising, and live music. Conor was initially drawn to #BMLC thanks to colleague and fellow board member, Shelly Triplett. After reading up on the organization, he was struck by Claire's Story and #BMLC's dedication to carrying on her legacy helping others, particularly as it relates to fostering healthy relationships, and mentoring young men, and the like. When Shelly invited him to apply to be a board member, it felt like just the push Connor needed to throw his hat into the ring. He's honored to play a small role in supporting the tremendous work of #BeMoreLikeClaire.
A native of the Chicago area, Conor has called Lawrence home since 2009 when he arrived as a freshman at KU. When he's not working as a fundraiser at KU Endowment, he enjoys spending time with friends, exercising, and live music. Conor was initially drawn to #BMLC thanks to colleague and fellow board member, Shelly Triplett. After reading up on the organization, he was struck by Claire's Story and #BMLC's dedication to carrying on her legacy helping others, particularly as it relates to fostering healthy relationships, and mentoring young men, and the like. When Shelly invited him to apply to be a board member, it felt like just the push Connor needed to throw his hat into the ring. He's honored to play a small role in supporting the tremendous work of #BeMoreLikeClaire.
Robyn Wagner, Community Engagement Coordinator at Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center and Co-Owner of 785 Productions
Robyn received her BSW and MSW from the University of Kansas. During her undergraduate career she worked at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City and Children’s Mercy Hospital with a focus on non-profit leadership and inclusion, diversity, equity and belonging initiatives. She is a passionate advocate for affordable, accessible, and equitable healthcare and all things related to IDEB work. When she’s not working, Robyn loves to stay active playing pickle ball, tennis, and disc golf, spending time with Jackson, and traveling!
Robyn is excited for the opportunity to serve as a board member for an organization that aligns so closely with her passions both personally and professionally in order to create a safe, equitable, and inclusive community for the future!
Robyn received her BSW and MSW from the University of Kansas. During her undergraduate career she worked at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City and Children’s Mercy Hospital with a focus on non-profit leadership and inclusion, diversity, equity and belonging initiatives. She is a passionate advocate for affordable, accessible, and equitable healthcare and all things related to IDEB work. When she’s not working, Robyn loves to stay active playing pickle ball, tennis, and disc golf, spending time with Jackson, and traveling!
Robyn is excited for the opportunity to serve as a board member for an organization that aligns so closely with her passions both personally and professionally in order to create a safe, equitable, and inclusive community for the future!
Founding Executive Director of #BeMoreLikeClaire
Shannon VanLandingham
Shannon brings a lifetime of experience in leadership and non-profit volunteering. Throughout her life, she has served as a trainer, facilitator, and educator while organizing leadership programs, planning events, and honing her skills in fundraising for good causes. She loves her family and friends, music, big laughs, and finding the right person for the job. Working to continue her daughter's legacy of love and service is helping her find healing for her shattered heart.
Shannon VanLandingham
Shannon brings a lifetime of experience in leadership and non-profit volunteering. Throughout her life, she has served as a trainer, facilitator, and educator while organizing leadership programs, planning events, and honing her skills in fundraising for good causes. She loves her family and friends, music, big laughs, and finding the right person for the job. Working to continue her daughter's legacy of love and service is helping her find healing for her shattered heart.
