Experience

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  Gatewood Government Relations and Consulting

  • Topeka, Kansas Area

  • Owner/Lobbyist

    • Jan 2016 - Present
    • Topeka, Kansas Area

    Grassroots organizing, direct lobbying, legislative monitoring, and government relations consultation.

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  Kansas Health Consumer Coalition

  • Interim Executive Director

    • Dec 2013 - Jun 2015

    • Worked with advocacy and industry leaders to develop Medicaid and ACA strategy.• Organization on NAMI Kansas Impact Award for statewide health advocacy impact under my leadership. • Prepared and delivered testimony to the legislature.• Managed diverse, well-trained, and highly experienced staff to advocate on controversial issues.• Instructed staff on job responsibilities and trained new team members.• Developed internship program. Recruited and trained interns to assist in advocacy efforts. • Built large, statewide, strategic coalitions to further the mission of KHCC. • Organized coalitions around issues and worked with administration officials to craft regulations. • Traveled for conferences and built strong relationships around issues in multiple states.• Prepared monthly reports to the Board of Directors.• Assisted individuals and organizations in preparation of testimony• Recruited consumers and professionals to testify and speak at events to fellow advocates. • Worked with board to set policy priorities, and prioritized issues

  • Advocacy Director

    • Dec 2012 - Dec 2013

• 

  State of Kansas

  • State Representative

    • Jan 2009 - Dec 2012

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  Disability Rights Center of Kansas

  • Intern

    • May 2012 - Sep 2012

    Advocated for Kansans with Developmental Disabilities (DD), and worked toward ending the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiting list. Organized public events to educate consumers and their families. Attracted Media to our events and gave them background information. Started and managed social media.