Meg Hooper Pearson- Executive Director

Director Meg Hooper Pearson has been with the organization for five years. In that time she has successfully increased the organization’s revenues by 30%.  In addition, she has recruited, trained and retained 100s of general volunteers, skilled volunteers, STEM Mentors, board members and Campaign Loaned Executives. Ms. Pearson, a former Development Director and Public Relations Associate for the Northeast Region of Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters (KSBBBS), has 10 years of professional experience with fund development and volunteer program oversight. During her eight years with KSBBBS she helped start-up three new KSBBBS affiliate agencies and was responsible for regional grant writing, public relations, strategic planning and board development.

You may contact Ms. Pearson by emailing her at united.way.of.franklin.co@gmail.com or calling her cell phone (816) 529-8959.

  Misty Kems- Office Manager 

Office Manager Misty Kems has been with the organization for two years. Ms. Kems, a former VISTA Volunteer and nonprofit enthusiast, has 7 years of professional experience in  volunteer program oversight, capacity building, and secretarial procedures.  Mrs. Kems completed her grant writing Certification with Kansas City Kansas Community College in 2015 and took over the organization’s accounting in 2016.

You may contact Ms. Kems by emailing her at united.way.of.franklin.co@gmail.com or calling her cell phone (785) 218-6088.

   Leigh Hanson- STEM Mentor Volunteer Coordinator 

Leigh Hanson is a 25 year veteran educator. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Art Education. She has taught in public and private schools as well as home educating her own children for many years. She is currently serving part time as the art education program director for the Ottawa Community Arts Council where she teaches kids’ art classes each week. She enjoys reaching out in our community and working with both adults and children through the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) Mentoring program, the STEM United Youth Project, as well as through church and Eckan volunteerism. She is the mother of six children:  one in college, two at Ottawa High School and three at Ottawa Middle School.  She, her husband Jerad, and children reside at a small farm here in Franklin County.

You may contact Mrs. Hanson by emailing her at stemunitedyouth@gmail.com or calling her cell phone (913) 226-8607.