Poverty, Pitfalls, and the Price of Diapers

Kristal Ronnebaum lives in Leawood with her husband Joe, black lab Bentley, son Connor 9 years, daughter Jordyn 7 years old. She’s served the veterinary pharmaceutical sales community in her career for over 15 years and dedicates countless hours to her work with HoneyDewsKC, a company dedicated to providing families with education and local resources that strengthen our relationships. Events are designed to encourage a safe space for growing grace, resilience and compassion for ourselves and one another in this great city we call HOME.

HappyBottoms holds a special place in her heart as the mission works to improve the lives of babies who are in need of diapers. Motherhood is Kristal’s greatest gift and a job she is eternally grateful to hold. Bringing greater awareness and education to the lack of resources available for mothers and babies drives her passion for the mission. It is with great hope, commitment and gratitude to get to serve as a Co-Chair to Diaper Bowl II once again. Now is the time when these babies need our love more than ever.

Decemeber Brammer is not a Kansas City native, but has lived in the city for the last 14 years. And definitely where she calls home now with her husband Scott and two boys Decker and Stricklen. Spending time with her family, designing and decorating their new home, and enjoying a glass of wine or coffee are a few of her favorite things. Being busy is her game! Working as a Project Manager for Sun Life occupies her during the day.  But what she loves the most, is bridging her passion and business of event and wedding planning, Soirée Event Designs, by serving and lending her expertise in the community.

Pam, Susan, Elizabeth, Stacy, Andrea, Brittany, and Brandon join us today on the podcast.  These folks, along with Ashley and I, keep the wheels of HappyBottoms turning day in and day out. Don't miss Stacy's mic-drop moment!  If you know one of these folks, be sure to give them a huge hug for their passion and work!

Wendy Doyle fearlessly advocates for women’s economic and civic advancement by amplifying women’s voices and producing results. Wendy is at the forefront of all economic policies that impact women and their families. She regularly educates and informs decision-makers and community leaders about policy solutions for women at local, county, and state levels. Translating information into action, she testifies frequently to state legislatures, publishes op-eds in state newspapers, serves as a dynamic and informative presenter, and champions systemic policy change for governments and corporations through her thought leadership.

During her nine-year tenure at United WE, Wendy has led the organization to invest in research, advocacy, and policy solutions to remove economic barriers for women, including conducting 21 meaningful research studies, advocating for issues resulting in 47 policy actions, and supporting more than 175 women in securing civic appointments. Wendy is committed to impacting hundreds of thousands of women and families through transformative research, scaling United WE’s fast-growing Appointments Project®, advocating for reforms that honor the legacies of women, and contributing to policy solutions that advance equal pay, paid family leave, affordable childcare and occupational licensing, among others.

Since 2013, Wendy has expanded United WE’s focus from serving Kansas City to all of Kansas and Missouri, and her success in the Heartland is spreading nationwide to cities including St. Louis, Fort Worth, Oklahoma City, Pittsburgh and South San Francisco. Wendy’s previous experience as an executive and strategic consultant for large nonprofits provides a unique systems approach to accelerating the pace of change through partnerships.

Wendy earned a B.A. from Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri, and was recognized in 2021 as an Idealist of the Year by City Year. Wendy was inducted into the Missouri Public Affairs Hall of Fame in October 2021. Her personal interests include running, traveling, modern art and design, and restoring old cars.

To join the upcoming townhall we discuss in this episode, click here: https://united-we.org/townhalls

Thrilled to have the former Director of Policy and Government Relations from the National Diaper Bank Network on our podcast today. The National Diaper Bank Network brings diaper banks together across the country through an annual conference and resources, like Phillip Vander Klay.  Phillip even went to Jefferson City with HappyBottoms earlier this year to advocate for removing the luxury diaper tax on diapers.  He knows his government, and thank goodness for that!  Please enjoy, Phillip! 

After 25+ years with the Children's Center for the Visually Impaired, we could not be more thrilled to have Elizabeth join the team as our Operations Director.  She brings calmness, understanding, a long line of experience and wealth of knowledge crucial to this stage of the nonprofit evolution.  We hope you enjoy meeting Elizabeth!

Jorge was born and raised in Laredo, Texas and joined the Texas Diaper Bank in 2001. His first professional career was 10 years of banking and financial services with a local bank. He worked with the City of Laredo, Economic Development Department as Grant Writer and Laredo Community College, as Program Director of the Rio Grande Environmental Study Center, and Executive Director of Mi Laredo, Goals for the 90’s.   In 2001, Jorge moved to San Antonio, Texas 2 weeks before 9-11.

The Texas Diaper Bank was originally the Hispanic Religious Partnership for Community Health. The organization was a consortium of ten United Methodist Churches providing outreach ministries in the poorest churches of  San Antonio.   In 2011, Jorge secured funding to establish a Diaper distribution program.  In 2013, the Board agreed to change the organizations name to Texas Diaper Bank and in 2017, Hurricane Harvey happened and it changed everything.  We hope you enjoy....Jorge Medina!

Dr. Natasha is a pediatrician who practices is in Overland Park, KS. Although her passion remains direct patient care, she also uses various digital and traditional media outlets to promote child health and wellness.  Check her out on social platforms @KCKidsDoc.

Dr. Natasha has been able work in science communication through her role as National Spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics and a member of the Counsel of Communications and Media for the AAP. She has writing experience as a regular contributor to NBC Learn’s Parent Tool Kit,  and US News and World Report, and  Forbes Health. She promotes vaccinations for children and serves on Missouri’s Advisory Committee for Childhood Immunizations. Dr. Natasha is also a nationally recognized speaker in health innovation, health care social media, vaccine advocacy, and media use with children.

Dr. Natasha is fueled by her husband, Dr. Kevin, and their two dynamic kids. As a family, they love to travel and share new adventures. Kevin and Natasha also like to golf and are in a couples league in the spring and summer. In her second life, she would be a race car driver. She loves to watch Formula 1 racing and has taken sport driving classes across the Country.  And Jill if very sad we didn't get to this topic in today's episode.  Please enjoy, Dr. Natasha!

Jerri Ussery loves to volunteer at HappyBottoms Diaper Bank and a few other organizations in the community. She worked in the healthcare industry for the past 25 years and the childcare field prior to that. Jerri blessed to have strong faith and a support network of amazing friends and her greatest joy in life definitely comes from being a mom!!!  We hope you enjoy Jerri!

Julie Carmichael has her MPA in Public Finance from Syracuse University. For 7 years she served as Director of Programs for Amethyst Place, located in Kansas City’s urban core, a facility that provides supportive housing for women who are recovering from drug and/or alcohol addiction, and their children. Prior to joining Amethyst Place Julie was owner of Public Finance Consultants for 22 years, working as a financial management consultant for over 30 area municipalities and nonprofits. Julie is currently working as a consultant to several nonprofits and in partnership with the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership at UMKC, continuing  her advocacy work to influence public policies and support programs that improve the lives of low-income children and families.  We hope you enjoy, Julie Carmichael!

Carrie grew up in Kansas City, and graduated from Oak Park High school. After received her Bachelor of Sciences in Business Administration degree at Truman State University, she began a 20 year career (and counting!) at Commerce Bank. She was a senior advisor and relationship manager in the Commerce Trust Company, providing fiduciary and trust administrative services to foundations and endowments. In 2014, Carrie joined the Charitable Trusts & Foundations group, where she serves as the assistant director and a program officer. In this role, she builds relationships with local nonprofits to assist with discretionary grant making for several private foundations and charitable trusts.

In the community, Carrie proudly served on the board of HappyBottoms for 8 years, and is on the finance committee of Crossroads Charter Schools. She is also past president of Mid-America Charitable Gift planners, and immediate past chair of the Park Hill Christian Church Endowment Trustees. Outside of work and community service, you will find Carrie at the track or football field cheering on her 13 year old son Ethan.