MARC Leadership

Director of Aging and Adult Services

Kristi joined MARC in 2023. She leads a capable and innovative team as they deliver quality critical services to older adults and people in need through a comprehensive model of integrated care. She engages with partners throughout the region to expand and grow this important system to advance health and social outcomes, and to support effectiveness and innovation in the regional health and social services systems.

She came to MARC from HealthTeamWorks and the Iowa Chronic Care Consortium, a group of nonprofit entities dedicated to transforming healthcare through performance improvement, organization development, and training. She is a registered nurse, with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Business Administration.

Director of Data and Digital Services

Amanda has been with MARC for more than 15 years. She is responsible for increasing MARC’s capacity to advance regional goals and collaborative initiatives through innovation in public policy and process improvement including the strategic deployment of data and technology. In her time at MARC, she has worked across many programs including air quality, workforce transportation, energy policy and climate strategy. 

Amanda spent time as an Economic Mobility Policy Fellow with the Center for Applied Public Research at Johns Hopkins University and is an advisor to the Evidence for Policy fellows through Stanford Impact Labs. She holds a bachelor's degree in Earth System Science and Engineering from the University of Michigan, a master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Kansas and a certificate in infographics and data visualization from Parsons School of Design.

Director of Early Learning and Head Start

Toni joined MARC in 2023. She is a researcher, a thought leader and a collaborator with a passion for improving early learning systems. She leads an innovative and committed team as they serve children and families across the Kansas City region, providing critical support to numerous early learning partners. 

She has a master's degree in early childhood and elementary education and a doctorate in interdisciplinary learning and teaching. She came to MARC from Fort Worth, Texas, where she served as vice president of early education and workforce development for Camp Fire First Texas.

Director of Finance and Administration

Carol has served as director of Finance and Administration since 2017. She oversees financial management, human resources and other internal operations.

Carol currently serves as chair of the Johnson County Civil Service Board, on the Growing Futures Early Education Board and on the Shawnee Sister Cities Committee. Carol was named Shawnee Citizen of the Year in 2010 by the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce and in 2012 was awarded the KUCIMAT Edwin O. Stene Award for Managerial Excellence. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Drake University and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Kansas.

Director of Transportation and Environment

Ron directs MARC’s transportation and environmental planning and policy work along with related implementation activities such as the Operation Green Light traffic signal coordination system, the RideshareKC program and public education initiatives for air quality, water quality, active transportation and transportation safety.

Ron is a registered Professional Engineer with degrees in civil engineering from the University of Missouri and engineering management from the University of Kansas. He is an active member of the American Public Works Association and serves on the boards of several local nonprofit organizations.

Director of the Office of Resource Development

Marlene has been with MARC since 1974. In that time, she has built countless partnerships among various stakeholders to unlock funding opportunities and advance policy priorities. She has worked on many regional projects and initiatives, including emergency services and public health, 911 system coordination, economic and workforce development, legislative advocacy, local government services, a homelessness information system, solid waste management, and others.

She has a bachelor's degree in geography from the University of Texas and a master's degree in urban planning from the University of Kansas. 

Director of the Office of Economic Development

Frank has been with MARC for more than 40 years. He specializes in using a variety of technical tools to help understand social and economic issues. He prepares long- and short-range economic and demographic forecasts, estimates the economic impact of major public investments, oversees the development of maps and other data visualizations to uncover the meaning in the data, and develops metrics to measure Greater Kansas City’s social and economic progress. 

He has authored or co-authored numerous reports on the Kansas City area economy, including the workforce needs of the region’s Global Design industry, the skilled trades, the tech sector and the public sector.