#BeMoreLikeClaire Board of Directors
President
Christine Metz Howard. Director of Strategic Communications, KU International Affairs
Christine brings to the board nearly 20 years of communication experience. She currently serves as director of strategic communications at KU International Affairs. Starting her career as a journalist, Christine wrote for community newspapers in Colorado and Oregon before moving to Kansas to work for the Lawrence Journal-World in 2007. In 2014, she moved on to higher education and has previously served in communication roles for the KU School of Music and KU News Service. A passionate believer in the power of mentorship, Christine was a Big Sister with the Big Brothers Big Sister Program for more than 10 years. Christine, a Pennsylvania native, loves living in Lawrence and is consistently amazed by its residents’ strong sense of community and commitment to building a better city. In her downtime, Christine enjoys hiking, cooking, gardening and spending time with her husband Cody and five-year-old daughter Julia.
Christine Metz Howard. Director of Strategic Communications, KU International Affairs
Christine brings to the board nearly 20 years of communication experience. She currently serves as director of strategic communications at KU International Affairs. Starting her career as a journalist, Christine wrote for community newspapers in Colorado and Oregon before moving to Kansas to work for the Lawrence Journal-World in 2007. In 2014, she moved on to higher education and has previously served in communication roles for the KU School of Music and KU News Service. A passionate believer in the power of mentorship, Christine was a Big Sister with the Big Brothers Big Sister Program for more than 10 years. Christine, a Pennsylvania native, loves living in Lawrence and is consistently amazed by its residents’ strong sense of community and commitment to building a better city. In her downtime, Christine enjoys hiking, cooking, gardening and spending time with her husband Cody and five-year-old daughter Julia.
Vice-President
Shelly Triplett. Development Administrator. Communications and Donor Relations department, KU Endowment
Shelly joined the Lawrence community a few years ago and is becoming more comfortable with her empty nest lifestyle. 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 is the mother to son, Lukas, a recent graduate of Missouri State University and daughter, Chessa, also a recent graduate from the University of Kansas. 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 memory. She is excited for the opportunity to serve on the Be More Like Claire board, looking forward to forming new relationships and hoping to share what she is learning through her current role with KU Endowment as a Development Administrator in the Communications and Donor Relations department.
Shelly Triplett. Development Administrator. Communications and Donor Relations department, KU Endowment
Shelly joined the Lawrence community a few years ago and is becoming more comfortable with her empty nest lifestyle. 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 is the mother to son, Lukas, a recent graduate of Missouri State University and daughter, Chessa, also a recent graduate from the University of Kansas. 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 memory. She is excited for the opportunity to serve on the Be More Like Claire board, looking forward to forming new relationships and hoping to share what she is learning through her current role with KU Endowment as a Development Administrator in the Communications and Donor Relations department.
Treasurer
Kandis Muhs. Assistant Controller at EPR Properties
Kandis is the Assistant Controller for EPR Properties in Kansas City. After getting her BA in Accounting, she worked in Omaha as an internal auditor and Denver as a financial reporting accountant before settling in Kansas in 2014. When she’s not crunching numbers, she enjoys puzzling, practicing yoga and spending time with her husband, family, friends, and various pets. Kandis is excited for the opportunity to be a part of #BeMoreLikeClaire and to work to create a safer and more equitable world in Lawrence and beyond.
Kandis Muhs. Assistant Controller at EPR Properties
Kandis is the Assistant Controller for EPR Properties in Kansas City. After getting her BA in Accounting, she worked in Omaha as an internal auditor and Denver as a financial reporting accountant before settling in Kansas in 2014. When she’s not crunching numbers, she enjoys puzzling, practicing yoga and spending time with her husband, family, friends, and various pets. Kandis is excited for the opportunity to be a part of #BeMoreLikeClaire and to work to create a safer and more equitable world in Lawrence and beyond.
Secretary
Michelle Ward. Coordinator Global Awareness Program and Global Scholars, Study Abroad and Global Engagement
Michelle came to Lawrence for graduate school and never left. She found a wonderful community of people and work she enjoyed at KU. Since 2016, Michelle has served as the Coordinator for the Global Awareness Program and Global Scholars within Study Abroad and Global Engagement. She helps undergraduate students internationalize their degree at KU through coursework and hands-on experiences. She has worked in public relations for the Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science and the Information and Telecommunication Technology Center as well. During her time in Lawrence, she has volunteered at the Willow, Big Brothers & Big Sisters, and Plymouth Church. She believes in the power of community and making Lawrence a more just and equitable community for all.
Michelle Ward. Coordinator Global Awareness Program and Global Scholars, Study Abroad and Global Engagement
Michelle came to Lawrence for graduate school and never left. She found a wonderful community of people and work she enjoyed at KU. Since 2016, Michelle has served as the Coordinator for the Global Awareness Program and Global Scholars within Study Abroad and Global Engagement. She helps undergraduate students internationalize their degree at KU through coursework and hands-on experiences. She has worked in public relations for the Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science and the Information and Telecommunication Technology Center as well. During her time in Lawrence, she has volunteered at the Willow, Big Brothers & Big Sisters, and Plymouth Church. She believes in the power of community and making Lawrence a more just and equitable community for all.
Claudia Quigg. National Training Faculty, Brazelton Touchpoints Center, Boston Children’s Hospital
Claudia is passionate about children and families and has committed her work to them through education and nonprofit service. Founder of Baby TALK (a nonprofit model now used in over 35 states, serving families of very young children), Claudia has taught Early Childhood Education at Millikin University and written prolifically about families, including 4 published books and a weekly syndicated newspaper column as well as a weekly Illinois NPR segment. She is Shannon’s cousin and loved Claire from the day she was born.
Claudia is passionate about children and families and has committed her work to them through education and nonprofit service. Founder of Baby TALK (a nonprofit model now used in over 35 states, serving families of very young children), Claudia has taught Early Childhood Education at Millikin University and written prolifically about families, including 4 published books and a weekly syndicated newspaper column as well as a weekly Illinois NPR segment. She is Shannon’s cousin and loved Claire from the day she was born.
Micki Chestnut. Owner Chestnut Communications
Micki has spent her career in strategic communications. She launched her boutique communications firm in 1987, and has had an opportunity to write for magazines, co-author three books, write a nationally syndicated column, and help a host of companies and nonprofit organizations with their strategic communications goals. She has also worked in communications at the University of Kansas Endowment Association, served as the communications director for the United Way of Douglas County, and as a marketing strategist for the University of Kansas Center for Public Partnerships and Research. Micki’s other passions include hiking, adventures with friends, travel, and community volunteerism, including working as an animal-assisted therapy team with her standard poodle, Daisy. She and her husband, Rob, are college sweethearts and have three children, Spencer, Connor and Madeline.
Micki has spent her career in strategic communications. She launched her boutique communications firm in 1987, and has had an opportunity to write for magazines, co-author three books, write a nationally syndicated column, and help a host of companies and nonprofit organizations with their strategic communications goals. She has also worked in communications at the University of Kansas Endowment Association, served as the communications director for the United Way of Douglas County, and as a marketing strategist for the University of Kansas Center for Public Partnerships and Research. Micki’s other passions include hiking, adventures with friends, travel, and community volunteerism, including working as an animal-assisted therapy team with her standard poodle, Daisy. She and her husband, Rob, are college sweethearts and have three children, Spencer, Connor and Madeline.
Erin Wolfram. Owner Career Advantage. Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) & Career and Professional Etiquette Consultant
Erin Wolfram is the owner of Career Advantage, a locally owned and operated career and job search coaching business. She has over fifteen years of experience in career and professional etiquette consulting and online career course development. Erin also works at The University of Kansas managing fellowships and concurrent enrollment…Rock Chalk! She received a Bachelor of Science in Secondary English Education from Kansas State University, as well as both a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology and a Master of Science in Educational Technology from The University of Kansas. She also is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and certified professional etiquette consultant. Outside of work, Erin has a passion for weightlifting and animals and enjoys traveling to tropical locations and visiting local wineries. She joined #BeMoreLikeClaire to help make a positive impact on the lives of others and her community. She met Claire’s mom at a local networking event and knew she wanted to be part of such an inspiring organization and is excited to help carry on Claire’s legacy!
Erin Wolfram is the owner of Career Advantage, a locally owned and operated career and job search coaching business. She has over fifteen years of experience in career and professional etiquette consulting and online career course development. Erin also works at The University of Kansas managing fellowships and concurrent enrollment…Rock Chalk! She received a Bachelor of Science in Secondary English Education from Kansas State University, as well as both a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology and a Master of Science in Educational Technology from The University of Kansas. She also is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and certified professional etiquette consultant. Outside of work, Erin has a passion for weightlifting and animals and enjoys traveling to tropical locations and visiting local wineries. She joined #BeMoreLikeClaire to help make a positive impact on the lives of others and her community. She met Claire’s mom at a local networking event and knew she wanted to be part of such an inspiring organization and is excited to help carry on Claire’s legacy!
Kristy Weeks. Owner Sacred Self Hypnotherapy and Coaching
Kristy Weeks 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. She received her 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. Kristy is married to her husband, Nick, with a 5-year-old daughter, Lorelei, and two older pets. In her spare time, Kristy likes to spend time with friends and family, travel, read, and spend time in the nearest body of water. She 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 relational violence.
Kristy Weeks 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. She received her 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. Kristy is married to her husband, Nick, with a 5-year-old daughter, Lorelei, and two older pets. In her spare time, Kristy likes to spend time with friends and family, travel, read, and spend time in the nearest body of water. She 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 relational violence.
Robyn Burton. Community Engagement Coordinator at Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center and Co-Owner of 785 Productions
Robyn Burton received her BSW and MSW from the University of Kansas. During her undergraduate career Robyn 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 pickleball, 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 Burton received her BSW and MSW from the University of Kansas. During her undergraduate career Robyn 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 pickleball, 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!
Executive Director, Founder 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.
