To ensure that every student in Missouri has access to a high-quality public education.

Jamilah is a former Missouri State Legislator. She served from 2007-2021 in both the Missouri House of Representatives and the Missouri Senate. During her time in the legislature, she championed a number of education, public safety, and criminal justice reform bills. Currently, Jamilah serves as a Parole Board Member in Jefferson City, Missouri.

Christine is the owner of Kemper & Company, a brand strategy and market research consultancy based in Kansas City, MO that has served clients for 19 years. She has served on numerous non-profit boards, including DeLaSalle Education Center and University Academy. In 2019 Christine founded Kansas City Girls Preparatory Academy, the city’s first single-gender charter school, where she also serves as board chair. Christine and her husband Sandy live on a farm in Jackson County, MO where they raised their four children.

Kathy is the CEO and Founder of EdVision LLC Education Consulting. Prior to founding EdVision, Kathy was the Senior Education Advisor for the Walton Family Foundation and the Walton Personal Philanthropy Group for 20 years, where she managed large philanthropic and policy efforts for a Walton family member for K-12 initiatives across three states: Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Kathy and her husband live in Shell Knob, MO.

Richard is the retired President of Commerce Mortgage and the Director of Consumer Risk for Commerce Bank, where he worked for nearly 30 years. His past board service includes the Missouri Mortgage Bankers Association, Kansas City Neighborhood Alliance, Pacific Primary School, Oakhill Day School, Gordon Parks Elementary School and Crossroads Charter Schools. Richard and his wife, Linda Hezel, live in rural Clay County, MO where they raised their two sons.

Prior to founding Quality Schools Coalition, Dean co-founded and served as Executive Director of Crossroads Charter Schools, a network of three schools in Kansas City serving 1,100 students in grades PreK-12. Previously, Dean was a humanitarian relief worker in Zimbabwe and Indonesia with Catholic Relief Services. Dean began his career in education at Xavier High School in Micronesia and later at The San Miguel School in Chicago. Dean and his wife Tricia live in Kansas City, MO with their two daughters.

Prior to joining Quality Schools Coalition, Tashayla Person was the Director of Public Policy for the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City, where she provided staff leadership on public policy, advocacy, education, and inclusive prosperity. Previously, Tashayla served as the National Security Policy Advisor to United States Senator Pat Roberts in Washington, D.C, her portfolio included issues as diverse as national security, workforce development and education. She holds a BS in Political Science from Kansas State University and a Master’s Degree in Defense and Strategic Studies from the United States Naval War College.