About Connections To Success

At Connections, we provide a comprehensive network of services and support to help people living in poverty become economically self-sufficient. Our model, with lifelong mentoring at its core, delivers evidence-based results and impacts all areas of a person’s life. This is built upon our mission and values.

 

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Click the GuideStar link to go directly to Connections’ page!

We are a proud member of:

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  • Our Vision


    Be the leader in empowering individuals in their transformation to economic independence.

  • Our Mission


    We inspire families to realize their dreams and achieve economic independence by providing hope, resources and a plan.

  • Our Values

     

    Passion: Inspire action, life-long engagement, dedication, commitment to results

    Hope: Seeing and believing in possibilities, a path to a brighter future

    Collaboration: Trusted partnerships, shared visions, teamwork

    Leadership: Lead by example, forward thinking, inspire others, drive the vision

    Excellence: Raise the bar, set and maintain high standards, never compromise results

    Compassion: Empathy, shine a light on dreams, listen, seek to understand

    Inclusion: Everyone is welcome, we recognize differences & engage without judgment.

  • Our Locations


    We provide services in the St. Louis, Columbia and Kansas City regions and support replication sites in multiple states. Visit our Programs page to learn more about the programs offered at each location.

    Outlined map of Kansas, Missouri and Illinois with stars in the greater Kansas City and St. Louis areas and in central MissouriWe currently offer Connections to Success programs in five cities:

    Kansas City, KS
    Kansas City, MO
    Columbia, MO
    St. Charles, MO
    St. Louis, MO

     

Read Our Story

Full Staff

St. Louis Region & Central Missouri Staff

Serving in St. Charles, MO | St. Louis, MO | Columbia, MO

Martinez Billingsley
Training Facilitator
Email
Office: 636-940-8027
Cell: 

 

Ebony Blunt
Life Transformation Coach/Job Developer
Email
Office: 636-940-8027
Cell: 

Lucinda Dennis
Job Developer/Education Specialist
Email
Office: 636-940-8027
Cell: 

Tracey Dew
Life Transformation Coach/Job Developer
Email
Office: 636-940-8027
Cell: 

Mindy Dorenkamp
Office Manager
Email
Office:636-940-8027 
Cell: 314-369-2692

Michael Eanes
Training Facilitator – Columbia, MO
Email
Cell: 636-409-0594

Terra Eavenson
Project Coordinator – Columbia, MO
Email
Cell: 573-469-3264

Jessica Heflin
Life Transformation Coach – Columbia, MO
Email
Cell: 

DeWayne Hickman
Youth Training Facilitator/Life Coach
Email
Office: 636-940-8027
Cell: 

Phyllis Jefferson
Transportation Specialist
Email
Office: 636-940-8027
Cell: 

Lynda Keeton
Director of Resource Development
Email
Office: 636-940-8027
Cell: 502-445-5436

Rachael Meuser
VP of Community and Impact
Email
Office: 636-940-8027
Cell: 314-603-7064

Rodette Moore
Life Transformation Coach
Email
Office: 636-940-8027
Cell: 

De’Edra Seawood
Business Development Coordinator
Email
Office: 636-940-8027
Cell: 816-209-4683

Ptah Walls
Regional Program Director
Email
Office: 636-940-8027
Cell: 314-517-8985

Katrina Watts
Community Outreach Coordinator
Email
Office:636-940-8027 
Cell:

Kansas City Region
Staff

Serving in Kansas City, MO | Kansas City, KS

Heather Beaird-Eisler
Project Coordinator
Email
Office: 816-561-5115 
Cell:

 

Brian Corcoran
Job Developer/Education Specialist
Email
Office: 913-948-5968 Ext. 501

Darren Faulkner
Life Transformation Coach
Email
Office: 816-561-5115 EXT. 502

Cory Finley
Grant Manager
Email
Office: 816-561-5115 Ext. 413

Ivan Hubbard
Job Developer/Education Specialist
Email
Office: 816-561-5115 Ext. 406

Helen Hurley
Regional Program Director
Email
Office: 816-561-5115 Ext. 410

Brandi Jahnke
Chief Executive Officer
Email
Office: 816-561-5115 Ext. 401

Monique Koger
Training Facilitator
Email
Office: 816-561-5115 Ext. 407

Renargo Martin
Project Coordinator
Email
Office: 816-561-5115 Ext. 408

Emanual Murry
Training Facilitator
Email
Office: 816-561-5115 EXT. 409

Fray Patton
Data Manager
Email
Office: 816-561-5115 Ext. 412

Michael Renfrow
Life Transformation Coach
Email
Office: 816-561-5115 Ext. 419

Tyler Scott
Program Assistant
Email
Office: 816-561-5115 Ext. 403

Mary Sexton
Crisis Care & Access Specialist
Email
Office: 816-561-5115
Cell: 

Anna Vobejda
Resource Development Manager
Email
Office: 816-561-5115 Ext. 404

Ashton Weaver
Youth Training Facilitator/Life Coach
Email
Office: 913-948-5968 Ext. 507

Paula Wheeler
Mentor/Volunteer Coordinator
Email
Office: 816-561-5115 Ext. 422

Robert Williams
Community Outreach Coordinator
Email
Office: 816-561-5115 Ext. 421
Cell:

Jackie Woods
Professional Women’s Group Coordinator
Email
Office: 816-561-5115 Ext. 405

Executive Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors helps us strategically make policy and program decisions that positively impact the future of Connections to Success and all those we serve. We are grateful for their unselfish service.

Poonnasa Corn

Board President 
Edward Jones, Senior Director-High Net Worth Segment

Wendy Savlin

Board Vice President
T-Mobile, Sr. Director, Employee Experience & Culture Enablement

Elizabeth Lawson

Board Treasurer
BJC HealthCare, Vice President – Finance

Leslie Boe

Board Secretary
Dysart Taylor McMonigle Brumitt & Wilcox, P.C.

Board of Directors

Madeline Franz
Medical Mutual, Manager, Health Leader Rotation 

Michelle Moersch
  Emerson, VP Audit & Compliance

Dr. Tyjaun Lee, PhD
Metropolitan Community College-Penn Valley, Campus President

Rev. Robin Morgan
  Rock of Ages Baptist Church, Senior Pastor

Eric M. Madkins
Regions Bank, Vice President, Community Development Manager

Jeff Morris
World Wide Technology, Chief Digital Advisor

Samantha Marble
Simmons Bank, Regional Marketing Specialist

Melanie O’Brien
Southwest Airlines, Regional Manager, Community Outreach

Carla Smocks
  Executive Coach and Consultant, Keisha’s Closet

Rosalina Syahriar
RSyahriar Integrated Coaching, Life & Wellness Coach

Virginia Van Berkum
 World Wide Technology, Senior Marketing Manager

Young Professional Board

Mission: We empower young professionals to break the cycle of poverty in their community while they develop as leaders, build meaningful relationships, and strengthen their own personal and professional skills.

 

Goals: YPB members support the mission of Connections to Success through three key areas: volunteerism, fundraising and raising awareness.

Young Professionals Board logo

  • Young Professional Board Leadership

    Young Professionals Board Leadership

    Staff Liaison- Anna Vobejda, Connections to Success, Resource Development Manager

    Board  Liaison-

    Samantha Marble, Connections to Success Board of Directors, Simmons Bank

  • Young Professional Board Members

    Young Professionals Board Members

    Communicating Soon!

  • Application Process

    Application Process:

    • Requirements include;
    • Ages 20s – 30s
    • Agree to serve at least 2 years on the board
    • Give or fundraise $250 during a service year (tie into monthly giving)
    • Attend 4 out of the 6 bi-monthly meetings
    • Volunteer at Golf Scramble or Tribute to Success fundraising event
    • Participate in 1 committee and attend 75% of its meetings
    • Recruit 2 “Friends”of CtS

     

  • Member Benefits

    Member Benefits:

    • Leadership opportunities
    • Networking
    • Have positive impact on the community
    • Discounted tickets for special/ fundraising events
    • Recognition on event materials
    • Mentorship opportunities
    • Lifelong friendships
    • FUN
Submit Application Form

Help us end the cycle of poverty in our communities.

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