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 Health

Rhonda Culp is our Director of Health. 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

Director of Operations

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

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

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

Camille Lavon

Vice President of Economic Development

Camille Lavon serves as the Vice President of Economic Development for Thrive Allen County. A Kansas native with deep agricultural and military family roots, Camille returned home to apply her passion for rural communities after more than a decade of leading economic development efforts across five states.

Prior to joining Thrive, Camille was the Director of Business Development for the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC, where she helped secure over $60 million in capital investment and create more than 700 jobs. Her work included launching an internationally recognized talent attraction program that earned a Silver Excellence in Economic Development Award from the IEDC and establishing a regional Site Readiness Program to attract large-scale investment.

Camille believes economic development is about more than numbers — it’s about creating dignity, opportunity, and legacy. She was drawn to Thrive’s commitment to strengthening Allen County’s economic foundation and supporting business growth. In her role, Camille is focused on championing local industry, telling Allen County’s story to new markets, and building the strategic relationships that attract investment, create jobs, and ensure a competitive, resilient economy where businesses and families can succeed.  

Contact: camille@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

Tabitha Jackson

Care Coordinator 

Tabitha Jackson is a Care Coordinator for Thrive Allen County. She assists with health insurance enrollment, LIEAP and TANF applications, and provides Allen County residents with help navigating the health care system.

Tabitha is currently working on her Community Health Worker (CHW) certification online through Garden City Community College. This certificate will strengthen her knowledge and allow her to help a wider range of clients.

Outside of Thrive, Tabitha works at A&W Restaurant and volunteers on Wednesdays at the Iola Senior Center. She enjoys spending time with her family, including her two sons, and considers herself a social butterfly. 

Contact: tabitha@thriveallencounty.org

Pempho Moyo

Policy Coordinator

Dakota Gehrer

Director of People

Dakota Gehrer is the Director of People at Thrive, where she manages human resources and assists the organization in daily operations. Prior to joining Thrive, Dakota spent five years at a non-profit organization serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, holding several roles, most recently as Regional Director of South Kansas Services.

Originally from Houston, Texas, Dakota relocated to Southeast Kansas several years ago. She is an avid Texans football fan, enjoys dabbling in botany, and spends her free time listening to music of all kinds with her houseplants!

Contact: dakota@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

Diana Bowman

Grant Writer

Di Bowman is a Grant writer at Thrive Allen County. She has a background in Health
and Research and spent many years as a university professor teaching under-graduate
and post-graduate students and writing and conducting clinical research before moving
with her husband to Iola from Australia to take up the position with Thrive.

Outside the office, Di embraces the quiet joy of a garden and the thrill of the open
road—whether she’s exploring local Kansas landscapes or admiring a beautifully
restored American classic vehicle.

Contact: diana@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.

Elizabeth Wilcox

Iola– Board Member

Elizabeth has served on Thrive’s board since 2024. Originally from Reno County, Kansas, she has called Iola home since 2021, where she lives with her husband and two young children. Elizabeth earned her undergraduate degree in Health Services Management and Community Development from Wichita State University and a Master of Public Health from Kansas State University. She is passionate about fostering a healthy, connected community that is always eager to grow and adapt. Currently, Elizabeth is on a hiatus from paid work to focus on raising her children. You’ll often find them walking to preschool, the library, the local coffee shop, or on a nearby trail.