Facilitator Bios

Summit 2025 Facilitator Bios

Bridging the Mental Health Conversation: Youth & Adults Together – Casey Trexler, Reading Youth

Casey Trexler has an MS in Secondary School Counseling from Gwynedd Mercy University and was a secondary school counselor for over a decade. Through her school counseling career, Casey was SAP (Student Assistance Program) certified, trained in restorative practices, a mandated reporter instructor, and was a recipient of the Council On Chemical Abuse (COCA) Youth Prevention Award in 2014 and the Caron Foundation’s SAP Supporter Award in 2022. Casey is now Youth Volunteer Corps of Reading Program Coordinator where she supports youth mental health initiatives as well as a QPR Gatekeeper Training for Suicide Prevention instructor and certified in Teen Mental Health First Aid.

Multiply Your Impact with Canstructure? Yes, You CAN! – Katie Morgan, Kiley Jensen

Katie Morgan has served as Executive Director of YVC Hampton Roads (YVCHR) since 2017. Prior to her career in the nonprofit sector, she was a school counselor in the City of Newport News and led her students to several 1st-place victories as a team sponsor for the Annual YVC Canstructure Competition. With experience on both sides of this event–as a competitor and event organizer–she brings a CAN-DO attitude and lots of expertise! Kiley Jensen has served as Southside Program Director of YVC Hampton Roads (YVCHR) since 2023. She has been involved with the Peninsula Canstructure Competition for the previous two years. Building on this experience, she is helping to launch the first Southside Canstructure Competition this coming February showing youth how they CAN build a brighter tomorrow!

Navigating Volunteer Recruitment & Engagement – Nicole Parkins Jayden Hicks from Uncover KC

Nicole Parkins has been the Vice-President of Volunteer Management at Uncover KC since September 2024 and holds degrees in both Psychology and Sociology from Northwest Missouri State University. She has worked directly with volunteers since 2017, most notably overseeing management and recruitment for hospice organizations. The experience has developed a perfect blend of people skills, creative problem solving, and attention to detail. Jayden Hicks started with Uncover KC in December 2023 as the Manager of Volunteer Engagement. He is a graduate of William Jewell College, holding a bachelor’s degree in Communication and Nonprofit Leadership. He brings his experience of building relationships and recruitment to the volunteer management team.

Post with Purpose: Storytelling on Social Media – Emily Unsen

With a passion for storytelling and building community, Emily joined Youth Volunteer Corps Headquarters in 2025 as Marketing and Communications Manager. She has experience in nonprofit marketing and digital strategy; in her previous role at Fontenelle Forest in Omaha, NE, she increased Instagram reach by 15,900%, doubled content interactions, and grew the account to more than 45,600 followers. Originally from Dubuque, Iowa, Emily earned her B.A. in Journalism with focuses in Public Relations and Advertising, along with minors in Graphic Design and Cultural Anthropology, from Creighton University.

Can You Agree to Disagree Better? – Carolyn Franano and Maleah Grigsby from American Public Square

Carolyn is a dedicated and passionate young nonprofit professional and community organizer. She values curiosity, collaboration, and relationship-building as tools to build strong coalitions working towards a more just and equitable world. Carolyn recently graduated from the American University of Paris where she double majored in Philosophy, Politics & Economics and Communication & Civil Society. Having studied and worked in France, the United States, and India, she brings a global perspective to her extensive experience in local action. Carolyn is currently serving as the Civic Education Fellow for American Public Square in Kansas City. Maleah Grigsby is a passionate advocate for conversation and community engagement. With a background in communications and a commitment to fostering understanding, she actively works to bridge divides and elevate diverse voices. Maleah believes in the power of seeking common ground to strengthen our society and build a more connected future.

Artificial Intelligence: What It Is, Uses, and Ethics – John Miller

John Miller is a data scientist and mathematician that works with big data and practical applications of AI to provide solutions to clients at work. As a former college professor, John has a love of teaching and sharing information that will help others think critically and succeed. John recieved his PhD in Mathematics from Baylor University.

Youth Icebreaker Party – Sarah Miller & Kelsie Barber

Sarah is the Affiliate Programs and Growth Manager at Youth Volunteer Corps Headquarters and is the staff support for IYAB.

Kelsie Barber is the Program Director of YVC Springfield.

Authentic Leadership: Never Ever Ever Give Up – Jay Sidhu, Vicki Clark, and David Battey

Jay Sidhu is Chairman and CEO of Customers Bancorp, Inc. and Executive Chairman of Customers Bank. Widely recognized for his leadership in banking, he has received numerous awards, including CEO of the Year and Ernst & Young Fintech Entrepreneur of the Year. A committed philanthropist, he founded the Jay S. Sidhu School of Business and Leadership at Wilkes University. Originally from Punjab, India, he emigrated to the U.S. in 1971. Sidhu leads speaking tours to inspire others to lead authenically and never give up.

Vicki Clark is on the YVC Board of Directors and is a consultant and trainer from Memphis, TN. In her practice, Building the Capacity of Organizations, she works in the business, nonprofit and public sectors. Her past experience includes 12 years at the Points of Light Foundation in Washington, D.C., and serving as an AmeriCorps/VISTA trainer. Vicki also developed two youth volunteer programs for the Volunteer Center in Houston, TX.

As a political economy major at Williams College, David Battey developed “An Analysis of National Youth Service” thesis. This group project uncovered the need for service opportunities for high school students. David’s passion was ignited. He developed a plan, garnered support, planned service projects, and recruited youth. And YVC was born. David founded Youth Volunteer Corps in Kansas City in 1987, and it has since expanded across the United States and into Canada, becoming a national service movement.

Taking Care: Navigating Burn Out and Self Care Methods – Vicki Clark

Journey of Stormwater, Drinking Water, and Wastewater – Ryan Morman of KC Water

Ryan Morman is a Water Educator for KC Water’s Training, Education, and Outreach program, where he transforms complex environmental issues into engaging lessons for students. Drawing on over a decade of experience as a classroom teacher, Ryan travels across Kansas City, leading dynamic presentations that educate the next generation about the critical issues of stormwater runoff, watersheds, and water quality.

Kids Helping Kids: Compassion Into Action – Christina Cummins with HALO

HALO Operations Manager Christina Cummins moved to the Kansas City area in 2022 and began working for The HALO Foundation, providing housing, healing, and education services to homeless and at-risk youth all around the world. With a background in education, Christina has a passion for empowering youth to be the best versions of themselves. She has built up HALO’s youth volunteer program, ClubHALO, to provide meaningful service opportunities for youth in our community to learn about volunteerism, childhood homelessness, and make an active difference in the lives of people their own age.

The Collective Jam: How Youth Empowerment Creates a Symphony of Service – Jennifer Gorham-Guion, Misty Coyle, Katie Morgan

Jennifer Gorham-Guion brings a lively mix of federal and local government experience as well as nonprofit leadership to the stage as the Program Director for YVC of Charleston. Since founding YVC of Charleston in 2015, she’s helped over 2,000 youth hit all the right notes in service and leadership, keeping the program at gold-level status nine years running. Named International Program Director of the Year in 2017, she turns civic engagement into a standing ovation, inspiring young people to play their part in the community’s rhythm.

Serving as the conductor of positive change, Misty Coyle is the Program Director for YVC St. Joseph, an organization proudly hosted by the non-profit Youth Alliance. Now in her fourth year, she believes that every young person’s unique talent and dedication adds a vital note to our community’s collective jam session. She is committed to giving youth a platform to improvise, lead, and hit the right notes in service.

Katie Morgan brings a lively mix of experience in education, counseling, and nonprofit leadership to the stage, spanning 17 years in Hampton Roads, VA. As a champion for youth development, Katie strives to hit all the right notes when it comes to inspiring youth service and community connection.

Community Action Poverty Simulation – Julia Powell and Amanda Recob

Julia Powell holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Kansas State University. Before joining the Community Action Agency, Julia spent 23 years in retail, with 16 of those years in management, progressing from Sales Associate to Store Manager. Her expertise in customer service, marketing, and visual merchandising seamlessly translated into her role as the Outreach Specialist for the Community Action Agency of Greater Kansas City, where she has been serving for over 2 years. In this role, Julia is committed to connecting individuals and families with vital resources and services, fostering community development, and offering support. She works proactively with local organizations and community members, networking and providing information to ensure those in need have access to the agency’s resources.

My name is Amanda Recob. I am the Compliance Manager for CAPSTJOE. If you’re looking for someone who believes in dignity and the power of a well-timed hand-up (not just a handout), you’ve found them. I’m a Certified Poverty Simulation Facilitator—which means I help people walk a mile in someone else’s shoes without stealing them. I’m also our agency’s certified ROMA implementer, which sounds like a pasta dish but is actually a strategic framework for results-oriented management and accountability (yes, I make data dance).Currently pursuing my CCAP (Certified Community Action Professional), because apparently I enjoy acronyms and fighting poverty with spreadsheets, empathy, and a touch of sass. Proudest moment so far? I led our agency to 100% compliance—two years in a row. We are the only agency in Missouri to pull it off, and we’re aiming for a third like it’s the Community Action Olympics. Gold medals? No. But we do have binders, dashboards, and a whole lot of heart. My mission? To make sure people are treated right, systems are challenged, and no one gets left behind—unless it’s in a trust fall exercise. Then we’ll talk.

Leadership Superpowers: Connect With and Influence ANYONE! – Tracy Hale

Tracy serves as YVC’s CEO and is on a mission to unleash the leadership potential in every person, enabling them to be the best version of themselves. After earning a bachelor’s degree in international business, Tracy worked 11 years in various leadership roles at the nation’s central bank, the Federal Reserve. She then spent 7 years working with churches and nonprofits throughout Kansas City, including developing and launching a leadership workshop series for church and nonprofit leaders. Tracy joined YVC in 2011 and has never looked back. Outside of YVC, she loves to spend time mentoring, leading groups to Israel, or relaxing on any beach with her husband and a tall glass of Cherry Coke.

Second Chances Through Service: Engaging Court-Referred Youth in Meaningful Volunteer Work – Terrell McCombs

In addition to his work with the Foundation, Terrell also sits on several nonprofit boards throughout the Midlands, where he lends his expertise in organizational development, community engagement, and youth programming. He is also an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., through the Alpha Psi Lambda Chapter (“Capital City Alphas”), where he continues to advance the fraternity’s mission of manly deeds, scholarship, and love for all mankind. Terrell’s leadership is guided by his belief that “community transformation starts with connection.” Known for his creativity, attention to detail, and steadfast dedication to service, he continues to build bridges between public service, education, and philanthropy to create a lasting impact in Columbia and beyond.