Meet OUR Team
Executive Director, Founder of #BeMoreLikeClaire
Shannon VanLandingham
execdirector@bemorelikeclaire.org
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
execdirector@bemorelikeclaire.org
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.
Development Coordinator
Cecilie McKenzie
development@bemorelikeclaire.org
Cecilie previously served as the Community Outreach Coordinator at the Lawrence Community Shelter through the AmeriCorps State program. Currently she is pursing a degree in Environmental Science at the University of Kansas. She is passionate about ensuring that everyone has access to a safe and healthy life. In her free time she volunteers with the Lawrence Community Shelter and Big Brothers, Big Sisters. She loves hiking with her dog, gardening, playing piano and lending a helping hand to others.
Cecilie McKenzie
development@bemorelikeclaire.org
Cecilie previously served as the Community Outreach Coordinator at the Lawrence Community Shelter through the AmeriCorps State program. Currently she is pursing a degree in Environmental Science at the University of Kansas. She is passionate about ensuring that everyone has access to a safe and healthy life. In her free time she volunteers with the Lawrence Community Shelter and Big Brothers, Big Sisters. She loves hiking with her dog, gardening, playing piano and lending a helping hand to others.
Community Outreach and Social Media Coordinator
Liza Gant
outreach@bemorelikeclaire.org
While not the founder of #BeMoreLikeClaire, Outreach Coordinator Liza Gant likes to think of herself as one of the originators of the concept. Five years her junior, Liza idolized her cousin Claire from a young age and acted as her second shadow for the majority of her childhood. Liza continues to be inspired by her cousin and is in her second year as a non-traditional student pursuing a degree in psychology. She plans to attend grad school and eventually work as a therapist for teens and young adults. Liza is passionate about domestic and intimate partner violence prevention, and is "super jazzed" about the expansion of Claire's Community.
Liza Gant
outreach@bemorelikeclaire.org
While not the founder of #BeMoreLikeClaire, Outreach Coordinator Liza Gant likes to think of herself as one of the originators of the concept. Five years her junior, Liza idolized her cousin Claire from a young age and acted as her second shadow for the majority of her childhood. Liza continues to be inspired by her cousin and is in her second year as a non-traditional student pursuing a degree in psychology. She plans to attend grad school and eventually work as a therapist for teens and young adults. Liza is passionate about domestic and intimate partner violence prevention, and is "super jazzed" about the expansion of Claire's Community.
Claire's Community Coordinator
Micki Chestnut
clairescommunity@bemorelikeclaire.org
Micki has spent her career in strategic communications. Through her boutique communications, she had the 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 Chestnut
clairescommunity@bemorelikeclaire.org
Micki has spent her career in strategic communications. Through her boutique communications, she had the 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.
