2024 Recipients

efactory, Executive Director

Springfield

Rachel Anderson serves as the executive director of efactory, Missouri State University’s Center for Business and Economic Development. She joined the university in 2015 to revitalize an abandoned poultry processing plant in a blighted area into what is now an international award winning and thriving business incubator and innovation center.

Recognizing the importance of partnerships, efactory joined forces with Codefi, another of the state’s leading innovation centers, in 2023 to form the Southern Missouri Innovation Network. Innovate SOMO is the first-of-its-kind regional network, created to accelerate innovation, workforce, and economic development across 47 counties in Southern Missouri.

Rachel has over 15 years of leadership and management experience gained from working in multiple sectors. Prior to MSU, she was the head of marketing and business development for a global consulting firm based in Los Angeles. She cofounded Alumni Spaces, an EdTech startup company, and has also held professional roles in research, fundraising, government relations, alumni relations, and recruiting.

Rachel is the manager for Shaun Munday, an international recording artist and serves on the Board of Directors for United Way of the Ozarks, Downtown Springfield Association, and Ozark Region Workforce Development Board.

She has been recognized by Biz 417 as “10 for the next 10” and “Biz 100” as well as the Springfield Business Journal’s “12 People You Should Know.” Rachel is a Springfield native and a graduate of the University of Missouri, where she served as student body president and earned a BGS in business, communication and political science and a minor in public service and leadership.

Starting Early, Executive Director

Raymore

Deidre Anderson-Barbee is the executive director of Starting Early, an organization that Anderson-Barbee recently started. Her many years of dealing with the systemic workforce challenges and the need to amplify the voice of providers and parents to ensure all families have access to high quality, affordable early care and education led her to launch this much needed entity.

Previously, Deidre was the CEO of EarlystART which delivers arts integrated early childhood services in Kansas City. She is a passionate advocate for all children and works across multiple levels to ensure that families are afforded the maximum opportunity to access the programs and services they need with a particular focus on addressing disparities that result in adverse child outcomes. Deidre was recently selected by the NFL to represent the Kansas City Chiefs as a 2023 Inspire Change Changemaker award recipient in recognition of the positive impact she has made in changing the culture in the Kansas City community on the importance of early care and education.

Deidre serves as the co-chair of Partners in Quality, a regional collaboration in the Kansas City region that works to address early childhood issues and also served as a member of the statewide Zero to Three committee with the Governor’s Office that supported the creation of the Office of Childhood for the State of Missouri. Her background in public education, community development and child welfare lend a unique perspective to nonprofit, community development and education administration. Prior to working in early childhood, Deidre served as the Director of At Risk Programs and Grants for the Hickman Mills School District in Kansas City.

Perry County Heritage Tourism, Director

Perryville

Trish Erzfeld was born and raised in Perryville and currently serves as the director of the Perry County Heritage Tourism. In 2015, the City of Perryville and the Perry County Commission jointly created the Perry County Heritage Tourism Department which Trish has built and operated since its inception. She leads the Tourism Advisory Council, a collective group of government, cultural, and tourism industry partners working collectively to promote Perry County. Trish continues to lead projects that promote and bring awareness to Perry County’s German roots, wild caving, customizing cultural trails such as the Perry County Barn Quilt Trail and the Christmas Country Church Tour along with events, murals, historical markers, and natural areas promoting history, heritage, and culture in the Southeast Missouri region.

Since 2015, Trish has also served as chairperson of the Perry County Eclipse Taskforce, a group of nearly fifty city, county, regional, and state leaders coordinating the charge to create the best possible eclipse experience for Perry County and Missouri in 2017 and 2024. Due to the success Trish had with the St. Louis and Southeast Missouri area, she was asked by the American Astronomical Society to serve on several panels at their national eclipse workshops focusing on rural community planning. She has since chaired the Missouri Eclipse Taskforce encompassing nearly 150 cities, communities, universities, schools, parks, organizations and businesses planning for the next total solar eclipse crossing the United States on April 8, 2024.

In 2022, Trish proudly accepted the role to serve as chairwoman for the Missouri Humanities Council. As a member of the Missouri Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus, Trish leads the Emerging Markets Group and serves as vice-president of the Missouri Travel Alliance.

Trish’s latest achievements include being a 2018 graduate of the Delta Leadership Institute’s Executive Academy, Missouri Division of Tourism’s 2018 Missouri’s Rising Star Award, 2018 Missouri’s Innovator Award, 2021 Missouri Division of Tourism’s Pathfinder Award, 2022 Perry County Citizen of the Year, 2022 graduate of the Authentic Leadership executive education course at John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Most recently, she contributed to Perryville being named as the Missouri Arts Council’s 2023 Creative Community recipient.

Trish lives in Perryville with her husband, Dave, and their daughter, Kaycee. 

American Legion Department of Missouri, Department Adjutant

St. Louis

Lowry was born and raised in St. Louis, and is a graduate of the historic Charles Sumner High School class of 1980. She joined the Army in November 1981 and served until February 2002. During her 20-year military career she spent three tours in Korea, one tour in Europe and had many state side assignments. During her military career she served as a Personnel Administration Specialist and as Career Counselor. Her military awards include three Meritorious Service Medals, seven Army Commendation Medals, eight Army Achievement Medals, seven Good Conduct Medals and the National Defense Ribbon.

While serving in the Army, Lowry obtained a bachelor’s degree in governmental studies from Western Illinois University, a master’s degree in management, and a master’s degree in human resource development from Webster University.

After retiring for the Army, Lowry was employed as a local veterans employment representative with the Georgia Department of Labor, until returning to St. Louis in 2005. Lowry worked for the St. Louis County Veterans Program, serving as a veteran case manager, before moving up to department manager from 2006 to 2012.

In July of 2013, Lowry became the first female Department Adjutant of the American Legion Department of Missouri. For ten years, Lowry served as the Secretary for the Missouri Association Veterans Organization advocating for Missouri’s veterans.

Lowry is a 2011 Gold Brigade Recipient and a graduated of the American Legion College class of 2010. Lowry was inducted into the Missouri Veterans Hall of Fame Class of 2023. She is also is a member of Kappa Epsilon Psi Military Sorority, Inc.

Lowry is married to Albert Jackson is who is also an active member of The American Legion, they have four children and seven grandchildren.

Haviland Corporation, President and CEO

Linn

Jan Haviland is the President and CEO of Haviland Corporation, a woman-owned family business located in Linn. Haviland Corporation, a manufacturer of floor and window squeegees, squeegee blades for automatic floor scrubbers, tools and blades for asphalt application, and squeegees for the building and roofing trades, was established in 1946 by Warren and Van Haviland. Warren Haviland served in World War II and the Korean Conflict and was a Combat Disabled veteran recognized in both with a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. Van Haviland was the majority shareholder since the inception of Haviland Corporation until Jan and her daughter, Alice Andrews, purchased the business in 2014, thus making Haviland Corporation a woman owned business for the past 78 years.

Haviland Corporation has been a member of ISSA, International Sanitary Supply Association, for 77 years, and the MASS group, of which Haviland was a founding member, which is comprised of the manufacturing members of ISSA. Jan currently serves as the treasurer of MASS. Haviland Corporation is also involved with several additional industry groups, including the “World of Concrete” and STAFDA, an organization for tool manufacturers.

Through Missouri Enterprise, Jan received an Advanced Manufacturing Specialist Certification at the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, where she received an education on the 5-S processes, Lean Manufacturing Development, and Six Sigma Program.

Jan is the past chairperson of the Missouri Leadership Council for NFIB, and currently serves on as an industrial representative for the Meramec Regional Planning Commission, and on the Board of Directors of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce.

Jan has led a number of Brownie and Girl Scout troops and has also been a member of the Mid-Missouri Area Girl Scout Council. She is a United Way volunteer and was on the United Way Allocations Panel for 30 years. She was also the head of the United Way’s Child Care panel, the largest panel for allocations, for over 20 years. She is currently a member of the United Way’s Finance and Audit Committee.

Jan is an active member of her church community, where she has taught Junior High Sunday School class, is the activities director for Vacation Bible School, and is also a member of the church choir. Jan currently serves as the church treasurer and has been involved with the Board of Deacons and the Board of Elders.

Jan most recently received the Zonta Club of Jefferson City’s 2023 Women of Achievement Award.

St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce, President and CEO

St. Joseph

As president and CEO of the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce, Natalie Hawn oversees all of the Chamber’s activities, including economic development, membership and administration. In partnership with the business community, the Chamber identifies and facilitates the accomplishment of goals that lead to a strong, vibrant business environment.

Before being promoted to the president position, she served as the senior vice president of membership. Prior to joining the Chamber in August of 2005, she worked for Woody Bibens & Associates in St. Joseph as the tradeshow & educational manager for the WESTERN Nursery & Landscape Association. Prior to that, she was the regional account manager for Pryor Resources, Inc. in Overland Park, Kansas.

Natalie graduated from Missouri Western State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in communications, with an emphasis in public relations.

Natalie is a United Way volunteer, graduate of Leadership St. Joseph, past president or chairman of the board for the Junior League of St. Joseph, YWCA, Allied Arts Association, Mosaic Auxiliary, Missouri Western State University Alumni and Chamber Executives of Missouri. She also serves on the following boards: St. Joseph School District Foundation, Specialty Industries, Bode PTA, Innovation Stockyard and St. Joseph Sports Commission. At the state level, she is on the Executive Committee and serves as treasurer for the Hawthorn Foundation. Nationally, she serves in the Air Mobility Command (AMC) Leadership Academy representing the 139th Airlift Wing.

Hunter Gin, Inc., Manager

Willow & Co., Partner

Sikeston

Born and raised in Scott County, Laura Hunter Collins lives in Sikeston and farms in with her brother, Will Hunter, in Bell City. In 2003, Laura and Will founded their current farming operation, Willow & Co., which now consists of 7,100 acres with 800,000 bushels of grain storage capacity. They grow corn, rice, soybeans, and cotton. Laura operates Hunter Gin, Inc., throughout the year and manages all aspects of the farm business and grain facility.

Laura received a Bachelor of Science in agribusiness from Mississippi State University in 2003. She is currently a member of Farm Credit of Southeast Missouri Board of Directors, the SEMO Health Network Board of Directors, the T.E. “Jake” Fisher Delta Research, Extension, and Education Center Board of Directors, Cotton Producers of Missouri, Missouri Corn Growers Association, Missouri Rice Producers, and Missouri Soybean Association. She also serves as 2nd vice-chair of the Sikeston Regional Chamber of Commerce, sponsorship chair of the Sikeston Regional Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee, and president of the Southeast Missouri Regional Water District. She previously served on the St. Francis Xavier Catholic School Board for 6 years, two of which she was president.

Laura was named Farm Woman of the Year by the Sikeston Regional Chamber of Commerce in 2012. She was a member of the Missouri Corn Growers Association’s CornRoots Leadership Academy Class of 2017. Willow & Co. received the Rice Farmers of 2019 National Recognition award and the 2017 New Madrid County Soil & Water District Farmers of the Year award.

Laura and her husband, Ryan, have two daughters, Hunter and Maggie.

Community Foundation of the Ozarks, President and CEO

Springfield

In October 2023, the CFO’s Board of Directors selected Winter Kinne as the Community Foundation of the Ozarks’ fourth president and CEO. She is responsible to the board to carry out the mission and strategic plan of the 50-year-old organization that exists to enhance the quality of life across southern Missouri through resource development, community grantmaking, collaboration and public leadership.

She joined the CFO in June 2005 upon graduation from Drury University where she earned degrees in English and writing. In August 2010, Kinne completed her master’s in business administration at Drury. She has held a variety of roles during her tenure at the CFO, most recently as the vice president of development.

Originally from Mount Vernon, Missouri, Winter is currently a board member for the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks and Philanthropy Missouri. She is also a member of the Greene County Estate Planning Council. Winter is a co-chair of Friends of SPS, a grassroots community group that supports and advocates for Springfield Public Schools’ students and educators.

Winter resides in Springfield with her husband, Marshall, and two children, Walker and Kate.

First Lady of Missouri

Bolivar

As the wife of Missouri’s 57th Governor Mike Parson, Teresa Parson brings to her role as First Lady the experience of being a mother, grandmother, businesswoman, volunteer, and advocate. After working 40 years in the banking industry, the First Lady retired to continue serving her community. During her career, she served on the boards of the 30th Circuit Juvenile Detention Center, A+ Program, Industrial Development Authority, Bolivar Educational Advancement Foundation, Bolivar Chamber of Commerce, and has volunteered for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. The First Lady is currently serving as a board member on the Missouri State Fair Foundation which is dedicated to cultivating the future of agriculture through preservation and education.

Like her husband, First Lady Parson has a strong commitment to education. She and Governor Parson work with at-risk high schoolers as co-chairs of the Board of Directors for Jobs for America’s Graduates-Missouri, Inc. (JAG-Missouri). Together they highlight the importance of education to the next generation of leaders, as well as financial literacy and money management. The First Lady is also a dedicated advocate for special needs children, making Missourians more aware of the role these children can play in society when given the opportunities.

During her first year as First Lady, she responded to a request from the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization, working with Second Lady Claudia Kehoe to reinstate the Missouri Mentorship Initiative, allowing 300 Missouri state employees to mentor students.

In 2022, First Lady Parson established the Moving Missouri Forward Foundation, a non-profit organization to benefit children across our state.

As First Lady, Teresa has made the Governor’s Mansion, which she calls the People’s House, more accessible to the public through a variety of events and special occasions.

First Lady Parson is the proud mother of two children, six grandchildren, and one great grandchild. When in her hometown of Bolivar, where she grew up on a cattle farm with her three brothers, the First Lady spends time with her lifelong friends and worships as a member at the First Baptist Church.

Tico Productions and Tico Sports LLC, President

Kansas City

CiCi Rojas is an accomplished C-Suite Executive turned entrepreneur, having built enterprises both in for profit environments, and for economic, political and social change. After three decades of leading organizations dedicated to advancing key population growth segments, in 2017, she decided to transfer development skills, and extensive network to co-lead Tico Productions and Tico Sports LLC, a company established by her and her husband in 2013. The enterprise is a full-service multi-media production and bilingual marketing company that developed a Spanish language broadcast and community engagement platform for professional sports teams. Her first partnership was formed with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2016, and has produced broadcasts for several other NFL, NHL, and Collegiate sports teams.

In her Executive career, CiCi most recently served the Kansas City business community as president and CEO of the Central Exchange. Prior to Central Exchange, she served as vice president of community engagement for Truman Medical Centers in Kansas City, Missouri. Her executive roles include leading two Hispanic Chambers of Commerce as president and CEO of the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Greater Kansas City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and vice president of strategic alliance with the Washington, D. C.-based United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

CiCi has been recognized for her business and community achievements with the 2022 Kansas City Business Journal “Women Who Mean Business”, 2018 Nuestra Latina Lifetime Achievement Award, 2016 “Women Who Have Changed the Heart of the City”, 2013 Greater Missouri Women’s Leadership Foundation, Woman of the year, 2013 KC Magazine Class of Influential Women, 2011 NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award. CiCi is active in civic organizations on the local, national, and international levels. Nationally and internationally, she serves as chair of the YMCA National Board of Trustees, and World Council Executive Committee, the national president for the Latino Coalition, broad member of USA Volleyball, Friends of the American Latino Museum, and Stowers Research Institute.

Welcome Home, Executive Director

Hallsville

Megan Sievers, Executive Director of Welcome Home: A Community for Veterans, believes there’s nothing better than seeing someone’s life transformed, especially the life of a Veteran. Megan has been affiliated with and led organizations serving the military and Veterans since 2004, including Veterans United Foundation as the foundation director, and Boot Campaign as the VP of operations. Her bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing, formal training and certifications, and years of experience working in the nonprofit sector have helped the organization reach new heights in Veteran programs, services, fundraising, and partnerships.

Prior to her role as the executive director at Welcome Home, Megan was responsible for fundraising, cultivating partnerships, and marketing. She served as the development director at Welcome Home from August 2017 to 2021 and led the organization to unprecedented levels of fundraising, supporting the 2017 Capital Campaign and transition from a 10-bed shelter to 34-bed, 32-room shelter and supportive services center. Yet, what matters most to Megan is making a true, life-changing difference in the lives of those who served and sacrificed, while elevating a strong, positive team culture of professionals, cultivating a diverse and dedicated Board of Directors, and fostering a passionate, inspired network of supporters and true ‘community for Veterans.

Megan is a proud wife of 20 years to Air Force Veteran, Keegan Sievers, who currently works at Truman VA Hospital, and a mother to their two children, Landyn and Brityn.

Megan looks forward to carrying out the Welcome Home mission for many years to come, unwavering in her commitment to honoring Veterans and restoring their lives with the ultimate vision to end Veteran homelessness in the great State of Missouri.