Ann Thomas begins her ninth year as the President/CEO of The Children’s Place Inc.; Kansas City’s specialized trauma treatment organization serving the mental health needs of young children. Ann received her master’s degree from the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor. Ann spent 18 years as an adjunct professor at MidAmerica Nazarene University, teaching mental health practitioners the skills of play therapy. Ann has presented workshops nationally and internationally. Ann also is an advisor to Sesame Workshop, helping develop and review content for their website and for the Sesame Street television program as well as assisting in writing some of their storybooks for children. Ann and her husband, Rob were licensed foster parents and are now parents to three young women ages, 21, 22 and 24.

April is a healthcare executive with over 25 years of healthcare experience in various staff, consulting, and executive leadership roles. She is a highly motivated, energetic, insightful leader that is skilled at understanding clinical and operational perspectives with a proven record of enhancing patient and customer safety and satisfaction, achieving exceptional clinical outcomes, and fostering physician and community relationships. April possesses a broad base of experience and has the ability to discern and meet the needs of both internal and external customers.  April is passionate about nursing and elevating the role and the voice of nurses.

J. Ed Becker  is an EH&S professional with a wealth of experience in Occupational Safety and Security. Holding a Doctorate Degree in Planning and Development from USC, Ed has dedicated over 20 years serving diverse industries including Academic Medical Centers and Heavy Manufacturing . Currently, Ed plays a pivotal role at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, overseeing all aspects of employee injury prevention. Notably, he has successfully implemented site-wide Workplace Violence Prevention programs, contributing to a safer work environment for all staff members and visitors.

Erin Nybo's passion for health and wellness has crafted her professional experience. She has a long history in the planning and design of healthcare facilities with a focus on wellness driven projects which join all market types. These projects generally include multiple entities and stakeholders coming together with one goal – to proactively help people mentally and physically be the best they can be. Helping clients to define what health and wellness means for them, her work is highlighted by her extensive experience in programming and planning, creating conceptual designs, interpreting early design and integrating it into all phases of the design process.

Monica Natzke is the Chief Nursing Officer for AdventHealth South Overland Park. In this role, she oversees all clinical operations which includes education, clinical quality, patient experience and safety. Monica has worked at AdventHealth for 19 years. She spent 11 years leading the AdventHealth Shawnee Mission surgical services teams and 5 years as the Assistant Chief Nursing Officer. Monica is a graduate of the AdventHealth Executive Leadership Program and Kansas City Centurions. In 2020, she received the Heroes in Healthcare award and in 2023 she was part of Kansas Hospital Association’s inaugural class of Advocacy All Stars. She is currently serving as chair of Kansas Hospital Association’s Workforce Committee and is on Overland Park Chamber’s Opportunity Now Talent Council. In her career, Monica has been instrumental in planning and construction of multiple healthcare facilities including AdventHealth Prairie Star campus, AdventHealth South Overland Park and is currently assisting with AdventHealth Lenexa City Center which is expected to open the summer of 2025. Monica earned a master’s degree in business administration from Baker University, and a bachelor's degree in nursing from Iowa Wesleyan University. Monica has a 19-year-old daughter and a 17-year-old son. When they are not at ballfields, they can be found golfing or fishing.