Lisse Regehr

President and CEO

Lisse Regehr is the President and CEO for Thrive Allen County and Thrive Kansas. Regehr oversaw the Navigator Program at Thrive from 2014 to 2017, building it into a regional force that has reduced the county’s uninsured rate from 21% in 2013 to 9% in 2017—one of the biggest improvements in Kansas. Regehr also oversees Thrive’s efforts to build a statewide rural health advocacy network in Kansas and coordinates engagement with state and local policymakers.

Since becoming CEO in April of 2019, Regehr has led Thrive’s efforts in administering $2.4 million in SPARK funding for Allen County, writing and administering Allen County's $134,000 in CDBG-CV funds, spearheading efforts to recruit Peerless Products to Iola, creating Thrive's non-emergent transportation program, and building on Thrive's free rural bike share program with the addition of pedi-cabs to combat social isolation.

Prior to returning to her hometown of Iola, Regehr worked for nine years with the Sisters of St. Joseph Ministries Foundation in St. Paul, MN, where she was a Planned Giving Officer and Social Networker. Regehr grew the Foundation’s planned giving society by 35%, and as Social Networker, was responsible for all online communications for the Foundation, including social media sites, online giving sites, and e-news distributions.

Contact: lisse@thriveallencounty.org

Terri Jackman

CFO

Terri Jackman is the CFO for Thrive Allen County. Terri handles Thrive’s financial matters and data management.

Terri started work part-time at Thrive in 2011 while also working part-time at a local law office where she started working while attending Allen Community College after graduating from Crest High School.

She grew up in the Colony/Kincaid area, and she lives in Colony with her husband, Greg.  Terri enjoys camping, fishing, and spending time with her four children and twelve grandchildren.

Contact: terri@thriveallencounty.org

Jessica Thompson

Deputy Director

Jessica Thompson is the Deputy Director of Thrive Allen County. Jessica currently oversees all the fundraising initiatives at Thrive, including grant writing and management, individual giving, and major donors.

Before moving back to Southeast Kansas to take a position with Thrive, she traveled across the U.S. and Canada, running local nonprofit organizations and development departments for the past 12 years. These positions included serving as the Director of Development and Communications for the American Jazz Museum in Kansas City and the Executive Director for Sandscrest Conference and Retreat Center in West Virginia.

Jessica is an avid runner and likes to spend her free time enjoying the outdoors and going on adventures with her nieces and nephews.

Contact: jessica@thriveallencounty.org

Marcia Davis

Director of Community Engagement

Marcia Davis is the Director of Community Engagement at Thrive Allen County. She works with the community of La Harpe, Kansas, to empower the residents to get involved in local government, speak out, build relationships and community--All to build a better City of La Harpe.  She also oversees our community work throughout all of Allen County, including our regular Community Conversations.

Marcia is a graduate of the University of Kansas. Prior to moving to Iola and working at Thrive Allen County, Marcia worked as the Minden, Nebraska Chamber of Commerce Director and the Beloit, Kansas Parks and Recreation Director.

Outside Thrive, Marcia enjoys gardening, biking, swimming, exploring Southeast Kansas, and spending time with family and friends.

Contact: marcia@thriveallencounty.org

Rhonda Culp

Director of Care Coordination

Rhonda Culp is our Director of Care Coordination. She serves as a community health worker, assisting consumers with safety net services and non-emergent transportation needs. She can also go into the homes of consumers to help them complete marketplace applications, LIEAP applications, Medicaid, and Food Stamp applications for those consumers who may not be able to come to the office for assistance. 

Prior to joining Thrive, she worked in long-term care for over fifteen years as a Certified Nursing Assistant, Medical Record Coordinator, and Administrative Assistant. From 2015 until 2021, she joined the Allen County Regional Hospital as an Office Patient Coordinator for their Senior Life Solutions Outpatient Program.

Rhonda was born and raised in Iola, Kansas. She has two grown sons and one young stepdaughter, and she has three grandchildren. When she not working, she spends time with the grandbabies.

Contact: rhonda@thriveallencounty.org

Chi Wiggin

Executive Assistant

Chi Wiggin is the Executive Assistant for Thrive Allen County. She assists with the organization's operations at every level.  Chi began with Thrive in the fall of 2022.

Rachel Moore

Community Planning and Development Coordinator

Rachel Moore is the Community Planning and Development Coordinator at Thrive Allen County. She assists community partners in writing applications for the Community Block Grants Program, along with similar other grant programs, and prepares reports on behalf of grantees. She also works closely with the Economic Development department and helps with other grant reporting and administration.

Rachel has an MA in English with a concentration in Creative Writing from K-State. She wrote for several years about economic development all across America for an economic development magazine. She learned a lot about how communities build strength and resilience for their economies and better lives for their citizens and came to Thrive to help build even more strength and resilience in Allen County.

Rachel grew up in rural Missouri, and she has lived in six different communities in Kansas since 2006. She loves participating in her church’s activities, reading stories with her partner and their daughter, doing yoga, swimming, and going pitch and putt golfing.

Contact: rachel@thriveallencounty.org

April Jackson

Addiction Prevention & Recovery Resources Director

April Jackson is responsible for day-to-day activities of the Southeast Kansas Substance Misuse Prevention Coalition. April collaborates with workgroup members to implement strategies and ensure continuity and quality of service for a six-county region.

April was born and raised in the Southeast Kansas area. She attended schools in Pittsburg and Shawnee before graduating from Marmaton Valley High School in Moran. She worked and raised her two children, mostly as a single parent, while living in Emporia. April graduated from Emporia State University (2019) with a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Earth Science and Geospatial Information Systems. April relocated back to her family’s farmstead just outside of Moran in 2021.

April maintains a sober lifestyle since 1999 and is passionate about helping people find recovery and freedom from active addiction. April is a practicing home-herbalist and enjoys making herbal teas and crafts, watching the KC Chiefs, camping, hiking, kayaking, and yoga.

Contact: april@thriveallencounty.org

Greta Ingle

Lead Care Coordinator

Greta Ingle is our lead Care Coordinator, assisting consumers in enrolling in insurance plans on the Federal Marketplace. She is also a SHICK Counselor, helping seniors understand and enroll in Medicare Insurance. Greta also assists consumers with Medicaid, SNAP, and LIEAP applications, as well as other assistance areas consumers may need.

Greta grew up in Chanute, KS, and moved to Humboldt in 1999. She has worked for Thrive Allen County for five years. Greta is a single mother of a daughter, Nisha, who is attending K-State.  Greta likes watching football, going fishing, and camping. She spends her free time volunteering with various projects and also works with the Farmers’ Market in Iola and the Allen County GROW Council.

Contact: greta@thriveallencounty.org

Jenny Tatman

Assistant Director of Thrive Kansas

Jenny Tatman is the Assistant Director of Thrive Kansas. Jenny is responsible for supervising Thrive Kansas program staff, managing daily operations including overseeing current programs, developing new programs and initiatives, implementing evaluation and sustainability planning, and working with the communications team to create internal and external communications and manage social media platforms. Jenny works with statewide partners to collaborate on advocacy and outreach efforts for rural communities. 

Jenny is a graduate of Kansas State University with bachelor’s degree in journalism and public relations and also from Emporia State University with a master’s degree in library science and information management. Before joining the Thrive team, Jenny worked in public libraries for over 10 years, and has a passion for public service and connecting people with the resources they most need. 

Jenny lives in her hometown of Lebo, KS with her husband, two children, and three dogs.

Contact: jenny@thriveallencounty.org

Lorraine Kuzen-Stephens

Bilingual Care Coordinator

Lorriane is the  bilingual care coordinator at Thrive. She has a multicultural background. Born and raised in Chile, she moved to the US many years ago and considers Kansas her home now. She majored in Business Communications from Fort Hays State University.

In her long career she has worked extensively in the financial, accounting and academic fields but after years of being a community advocate she realized her calling was in the social services.

An avid traveler, she has come in contact with many different cultures and backgrounds and has learned to appreciate the diversity the world has to offer. In her spare time she loves to read, do research and, and cuddle with her cats.

Contact: lorraine@thriveallencounty.org

Logan Stenseng

Policy and Strategic Initiatives Coordinator

Logan Stenseng is Thrive Allen County’s Policy and Strategic Initiatives Coordinator, overseeing the development of the organization’s public policy program and building relationships with partners statewide. Logan also provides policy research and technical training to community members, as well as educational resources for lawmakers.

Logan graduated from the University of Kansas in 2021. During his time at KU, he served as the Government Relations Director to the Student Senate, as well as worked for several voting rights non-profits. He is originally from El Dorado, Kansas.

Outside of work, Logan loves spending time with friends and family, volunteering, hiking, wood-burning (pyrography), tennis, and exploring new hobbies.

Contact: logan@thriveallencounty.org

Heather Patterson

Navigator Program Officer

Heather Patterson is Thrive Allen County’s Navigator Program Officer for communities across Kansas. Heather will oversee sub-awardees and individuals to help navigate through Federal Facilitated Marketplaces and other safety-net resources.

Heather has her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, and before coming to Thrive, she worked as a Parent Support Specialist in Mental Health as well as an Early Childhood Educator before that. Heather is excited to be working remotely and meeting new people. Outside of work, Heather has a grown son and daughter and enjoys spending time with family.

Contact: heather@thriveallencounty.org

Marla Wilson

Office Manager

Marla Wilson is the Office Manager for Thrive Allen County.  She is the first person you will see when entering the office and the first person you will talk to when calling the office. 

Marla grew up on a farm at Kincaid, KS.  She is a graduate of Crest High School and Allen Co. Community College.  She and her husband Dane have lived in Iola their whole married life of 38 years.  They have one son, Trey who is a recent graduate of Wichita State University and is currently touring with Feld Entertainment.  

Outside the office, Marla is a member of Happy Hearts FCE and assists at Bowlus Fine Arts Center and Iola Community Theatre with tickets.  Marla is also a big Kansas City Chiefs fan, and she enjoys attending arts and craft shows and shopping.

Contact: marla@thriveallencounty.org

Dan Carroll

Director of Communications

Dan Carroll leads communication efforts for Thrive Allen County, including managing social media accounts, creating and distributing publications, and assisting with event coordination. Prior to Thrive, Dan worked in the education field as a para, tutor, and academic coordinator with the NCCC Upward Bound program. He earned his Bachelor degree from Fort Hays State University in 2019.

Outside of work, Dan enjoys outdoor activities, videography, and spending time with his wife, Kelsy, and their pets.  Originally from Hutchinson, KS, Dan has enjoyed getting to know this part of Kansas, and looks forward to learning even more.

Contact: dan@thriveallencounty.org

Jared Wheeler

Director of Economic Development

Jared Wheeler is the Director of Economic Development at Thrive. Jared assists entrepreneurs, business owners, local governments and others as they work to grow our communities. 

Jared has worked in education, public relations and ministry prior to his current position. Each of these experiences helped prepare him for his role with Thrive. Jared and his wife, Dr. Kara Wheeler, have three children: Gracie, Judah and Beckham. 

Jared loves spending time with his family, reading and being as active as possible.  If you talk to him about Jeopardy, history or sneakers you will have a friend for life...and a long conversation.

Contact: jared@thriveallencounty.org

Hayden M. Steadman

Creative Strategies Manager

Hayden M. Steadman is the Creative Strategies Manager at Thrive. Hayden assists the Director of Communications with media production and internal/external communications. He also assists with growing Thrive's social media presence online, staying up to date with current events and other organizations and community members via social media.

Hayden has a strong background in information technology, digital marketing, and media production, including photography and cinematography. His passion and expertise for communication and media production has prepared him for his current role with Thrive. Hayden currently lives in Humboldt with his fiancée, Shannon (a 5th grade teacher at Iola Elementary) and their dogs and cats.

Hayden loves the cinematic arts, and any form of creativity. He also has a vast collection of Lego. Talk to him about film, Lego, or his pets, and your conversation will never grow idle.

Contact: hayden@thriveallencounty.org

Patrick Zirjacks

Community Engagement Coordinator

Patrick Zirjacks is the Community Engagement Coordinator for Thrive. He assists the Director of Community Engagement with oversing our community work throughout all of Allen County, including our regular Community Conversations, and other projects.

Patrick graduated from Emporia State with a degree in marketing. He lived in Texas for 30 years, where he worked for Mercedes-Benz as well as for a local bike shop. Patrick is excited to be working with his local community, and looks forward to getting to know the people and making a positive difference.

Contact: patrick@thriveallencounty.org

J. Keltner

Development Coordinator

As our Development Coordinator, J. excels in overseeing customer, partner, and donor relations, as well as managing the intricacies of fundraising within our organization. Holding a bachelor's degree in Management and Human Relations, her aptitude for understanding people and connecting them with resources and each other is equally fulfilling.

Originally from Manhattan and Lawrence, Kansas, J. eventually settled in Lee’s Summit, MO, where she dedicated approximately 20 years to her career in education and raising her 10 year old kiddo, Oscar. In 2022, they opted for a change of scenery, exchanging the city lights for the serene beauty of the prairie stars. Thrive Allen County played a pivotal role in facilitating various aspects of this transition. When the opportunity arose to contribute through such a supportive organization, J. enthusiastically  embraced it, eager to assist her new community in any capacity possible.

And, yes, she prefers to be addressed simply by the letter “J.”

Contact: j@thriveallencounty.org

Caryn Caylor

Grant Writer

Caryn Caylor, a dedicated member of our development team, specializes in grant writing with a focus on propelling Allen County towards prosperity through innovative programs and sustainable solutions. As a mother of a child with special needs, Caryn is deeply passionate about connecting individuals and families with valuable resources to navigate challenges effectively.

Caryn holds dual degrees in Psychology and Human and Social Services from Ottawa University. She resides in Garnett, Kansas, with her husband, Adam, whom she married in 2009. Their household is lively and bustling with the presence of their four children: Ray, Sam, Joe, and Ben.

In her leisure time, Caryn enjoys indulging in hobbies such as baking, reading, and delving into true crime documentaries. Known for her diverse interests and pursuits, Caryn is recognized as an aspiring chicken farmer, a burgeoning football enthusiast, a novice gardener, a connoisseur of clearance aisle finds, and an avid minivan supporter.

Contact: caryn@thriveallencounty.org

Taryn Gregg

Director of Trails

Contact: taryn@thriveallencounty.org

Pempho Moyo

Policy Coordinator

Dakota McNett

Director of People

Bio coming soon. :)

Contact: dakota@thriveallencounty.org

Brian D. Wolfe, MD

Iola – Chairman

Dr. Brian Wolfe has served as Thrive’s Chairman since the organization’s founding in 2007. Brian is a native Iowan but moved from Indiana to Kansas for school, attending Friends University in Wichita, Kansas. He received a BS in Biology and Chemistry (Class of 1975) and went on to receive his M.D. from the University of Kansas School of Medicine – Wichita in 1979. He performed his residency at the Wesley Family Practice Residency in Wichita, Kansas, from 1979-1982. Dr. Wolfe started his practice of medicine in Iola in 1982. After being in private practice for 30 years, he now works with Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas. He is married to Susan Lynn, the owner/publisher of the Iola Register. He has three children, Jeff (Tonda), Eric (Casiee), and Mark (Sasha), and has three stepchildren, Tim and Aaron Stauffer, and Louise Krug. Brian and Susan live in Iola.

Alan Weber

Humboldt – Vice Chairman

Alan Weber joined the Thrive Board of Directors in August 2008 and serves as Thrive’s Vice-Chair. Mr. Weber is a graduate of Iola High School (Class of ’70), Allen County Community College (Class of ’72), The University of Kansas (Class of ’74) and the University of Kansas School of Law (Class of ’77). Mr. Weber has practiced law in Allen County for over 40 years in both private practice and for the last 25 years as County Counselor. He is a member of the Allen County Bar Association, The Kansas Bar Association and the Kansas County Counselors Association. Mr. Weber has a daughter, Katie, who is a graduate of Humboldt High School and the University of Kansas.

Karen Gilpin

Iola – Secretary

Karen Gilpin is a founding member of Thrive Allen County and has been an Allen County resident for over 30 years. She is a registered nurse with a BSN from Kansas University and MSN from Boston University. In addition to state and regional activities, locally Karen serves as a Board member for the REACH Foundation, Allen County Hospital Board, and THRIVE Allen County, President of PEO, and active member of ROTARY, DAR and the Iola First Presbyterian Church. Karen has been deeply involved in healthcare issues in Allen County over her three decades here. She and her family reside in Iola.

Don Burns

Gas – Board Member

Don Burns joined the Thrive board of Directors in August 2009. Don is a graduate of Parsons High School (’69), served in the United States Navy, and later attended Allen County Community College. Don worked for more than 25 years at Gates Rubber Company in Iola in roles including distribution, analyzing space and layout, and conducting troubleshooting for the company. Don is a retired Director of Grounds and Maintenance for USD 257-Iola, where he oversees the district’s portfolio of buildings and real estate. Don is married to Jane Burns and has a daughter, Becky. Don and his family reside in Gas.

Randy Rasa

Iola – Board Member

Randy Rasa joined the Thrive Board of Directors in 2015. Randy has a background in electronics engineering and software development, with a BSEET from Devry University, and has worked as a freelancer for the last decade, offering web site design and development services. Randy is also an advocate for bicycling and active transportation, having served on the board of KanBikeWalk, the statewide bicycling and pedestrian advocacy organization, and authoring Kansas Cyclist, the web’s premier web site for bicycling in Kansas, Bike Prairie Spirit, and The Dirt Bum blog. Locally, he serves as the lead volunteer for the Lehigh Portland Trails singletrack, and as an advocate for bicycling in Allen County. Randy and his wife, Laura, moved to Iola in Fall 2013, after having resided in Johnson County since the early 1980s, attracted by Allen County’s robust trail network and Iola’s thriving antiques scene. Laura is living her dream, running The Market Place on the historic Iola square.

Erik Unruh, MD

Iola– Board Member

Dr. Erik Unruh joined the Thrive Board in 2024. Dr. Unruh is currently a physician for CHC/SEK Iola clinic. His hometown is Cimarron, KS. He attended undergrad at MidAmerica Nazarene University earning a degree in nursing. He obtained a Masters in Public Health and M.D. from the University of Kansas. He completed residency in Family Medicine at the University of New Mexico. He is passionate about cultivating healthy, vibrant and sustainable communities. Dr. Unruh enjoys spending time with his family, watching KU basketball, running, reading a good book, and exploring the outdoors.