Advisory Board Members

Michele Wimes, Advisory Board

Ms. Wimes serves as Shook, Hardy & Bacon’s Director of Strategic Diversity Initiatives. Working closely with the firm’s Executive Committee, Diversity Committee and Women’s Management Council, Michelle coordinates diversity initiatives across the firm’s nine city offices in the United States and Europe. Her efforts focus on the recruitment, retention and advancement of a diverse work force to create a broader, richer working environment. Michelle also spearheads SHB’s involvement in organizations and associations devoted to an inclusive community.

R. Crosby Kemper III, Advisory Board

Mr. Kemper was appointed Chief Executive of the Kansas City Public Library, and Chief Executive Officer of the newly formed The Kansas City Public Library Foundation in September, 2005. Kemper has done independent scholarship work in New Haven, Connecticut, served as executive director of the British Institute of the United States in New York, and served as English instructor at the University of Sichuan in Chengdu, China. Currently, Kemper is on the Board of Trustees for the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, the private, nonprofit corporation that has owned and operated Monticello since 1923; the advisory board of University of Missouri Press; and the boards of National Frontier Trails Museum, Swope Community Enterprises, University of Missouri-Kansas City and Show-Me Institute. He is an emeritus member of the Board of Commissioners of Tower Grove Park in St. Louis, a position appointed by The Missouri Supreme Court. Kemper has served as chairman, CEO, and executive vice president for UMB Financial Corporation and UMB Bank, n.a. in Kansas City, and president of UMB Bank in St. Louis. Kemper wrote and edited the book titled Winston Churchill: Resolution, Defiance, Magnanimity, Good Will. He received his bachelor’s degree in history from Yale University.

Ms. Erin Merritt, Advisory Board

Ms. Merritt is the Director of Development & Client Services at Rafael Architects, Inc. (RAI), a certified Minority Business Enterprise located in Kansas City, MO. RAI has been involved in the design of numerous building types, including corporate office, retail, hospitality, entertainment and venue, medical and medical office, high-tech, community, detention, industrial and manufacturing, and public safety facilities. Erin specializes in building relationships with influential contacts to generate new business, as well as develops and implements goals, objectives, policies and procedures for the marketing and business development functions. Erin graduated from Kansas State University with a Bachelors in Elementary Education.

Ms. Susan Tivol, M.S.W., Advisory Board

Ms. Tivol has a Masters in Social Work and her private practice has focused for many years on training, facilitating and coaching individuals and organizations to assist them in learning and practicing leadership and teamwork. She has also promoted self-awareness, social awareness, empathy and conflict resolution. She co-founded the Genesis program, sponsored by the Jewish Community Center of Kansas City, to help interfaith couples and families. Ms. Tivol also co-founded the Yad B’Yad progam, an educational program for Jewish female leadership. She was the winner of the 1992 Young Leadership award in the Jewish community and has held posts in education and leadership in its volunteer sector. Ms. Tivol supports KIPP Endeavor Academy in its mission to ensure that inner city youth have the opportunity for an education that is equal to that of the best public schools in the nation.

Dr. Donald Lang, Advisory Board

Dr. Lang is a licensed clinical therapist and co-founder of L & L Counseling and Educational Consultant Services. His specialty is individual, family counseling and anger management/domestic violence. He is a consultant to local school districts providing classroom instruction in the area of intervention strategies in educating children who have been clinically diagnosed with attention deficit/conduct disorders. Complimenting his private practice, Dr. Lang is a clinical child therapist at the Niles Home for Children. He has served on the U.S. Kansas/Missouri Attorney’s General District Office Safe School’s Task Force and the Missouri Department of Education’s Safe School’s Grant Provider Task Force.

Mr. John Anderson, Advisory Board

Mr. Anderson spent most of his career before retirement in the securities and real estate business in Kansas City and Tulsa.  He also spent 11 years in Washington, DC, part of which was spent serving in the first Bush administration.  While in Kansas City, Mr. Anderson has been active in several civic, political, and business boards and committees.  He has a passion for urban education and a special love of KIPP.

Mr. James Edward Garrett, Jr., Advisory Board

Mr. Garrett is a Battalion Chief for the Kansas City, Missouri Fire Department.  He has served as the Parent Information Resource Center (PIRC) Director for the Learning Exchange in Kansas City, Missouri, and has served as Business Agent and Vice President of the International Association of Firefighters Local #42 in Kansas City, Missouri.  He is an active community leader in improving people’s lives through education and extra-curricular programs for children.

Mr. Alan Warne, Advisory Board

Miss Lauren Vaughan, Advisory Board