Board of Directors
Officers
Executive Director/Founder | Michelle Robin | Your Wellness Connection
Dr. Michelle Robin is an speaker, author, podcast host and practicing chiropractor. She is the founder and CWO of Your Wellness Connection, P.A., one of the nation’s most successful integrative healing centers focusing on disciplines such as chiropractic, Chinese medicine, energy medicine, naturopathic medicine, functional medicine, massage therapy, counseling, nutritional and wellness coaching, and movement arts.
Chair | Courtney Thomas | Newhouse
Courtney is a strategically wired visionary, complex problem solver, public speaker, and people motivator. Her entrepreneurial approach and leveraging innovation to grow both business and people, have been the key ingredients to her successful 20+ year executive career in nonprofit business turnaround. Courtney Thomas is a native of North Carolina and a graduate of The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She moved to the Kansas City community in 2002. In addition to Newhouse, she has delivered award-winning marketing campaigns and unlocked new revenue opportunities as CEO at Central Exchange, CEO of Great Plains SPCA, and COO at Wayside Waifs, while also being a wife, the mom of three, and dedicating her time to serve on boards of directors.
Vice Chair | Vic Riffel | Sunlighten
Vic works in the health and wellness industry at Sunlighten, a company dedicated to helping people feel better naturally through infrared technology. In his role, he collaborates with experts in functional medicine, fitness, and longevity to help expand education around innovative wellness tools and practical lifestyle strategies that support long-term health. Vic is passionate about whole-person well-being and has appeared on podcasts and wellness platforms to share insights on infrared therapy, recovery, and sustainable health habits. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his husband and being a proud dog dad while embracing an active, balanced lifestyle.
Secretary | Haley Prophet
With nearly 20 years of experience in corporate wellbeing Haley brings a multi-dimensional approach and authentic presence to her strategies for fostering an atmosphere in which individuals, organizations and community relationships can thrive. With a motto of live well to thrive, Haley focuses on a creative approach for evaluating and implementing well-rounded, multi-dimensional whole-person well-being opportunities through intentional planning and alignment with both company and program goals and values. Haley emphasizes the notion that energy management is where we all can build and practice resilience while prioritizing well-being – ultimately leading to happier, healthier and more productive workplaces and communities. Haley also is a presenter, speaker and session facilitator who has received multiple awards and recognition over the years for her work within the well-being industry.
Treasurer | Mary Widmer
Mary retired after 40+ years of senior executive experience in finance, accounting, human resources, and strategy development where she honed the ability to adapt quickly to challenges and changing environments by using strong organizational and management skills. Being able to give back by supporting nonprofits like Small Changes Big Shifts is a privilege.
Directors
Jasmin Avakyants | REACH Healthcare Foundation
Jasmin Avakyants is Program Officer, responsible for administering grants, informing grantmaking strategies, and engaging the community to identify opportunities that align with the foundation’s mission to advance equity in health coverage and care. Avakyants joined REACH in 2022, bringing experience in the nonprofit sector in the areas of program development, strategic alliances, community engagement, and strategic communications and planning. Working under the direction of Vice President of Programs Carla Gibson and in collaboration with other foundation staff, Avakyants is charged with grantmaking strategies and expanding partnerships in the nonprofit and civic sectors.
Whitney Bartelli | CommunityAmerica Credit Union
Whitney serves as the Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer at CommunityAmerica Credit Union, overseeing the areas of brand strategy and brand growth, content strategy, social and digital engagement and management, product development, member/corporate communications and community engagement. With a people-helping-people focus, Whitney’s teams are focused on elevating CommunityAmerica’s brand and connecting Kansas Citians to its mission of helping members achieve financial peace of mind.
Crystal Jenkins | Hoffman Institute
Crystal Jenkins specializes in wellness and behavioral counseling for individuals and groups. She is experienced in treating a wide range of psychological issues with adults and children. Crystal has been a teacher and coach for over 30 years. She has a love for speaking, teaching, and coaching others to find their path to freedom and clarity. She is also a Hoffman Institute Teacher as well as a Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator.
Alex McAnderson | Villalobos Vitality
Alex McAnderson is the owner of Villalobos Vitality. She brings more than 12 years as a leader in Relationship Management. Her life mission is the continuation of a meaningful, powerful and purposeful existence though the connection of mind, body and spirit. She strives to bring mindfulness to the corporate sector. Alex is also the Treasurer for The Rock Chalk Roundball Classic a non-profit dedicated to helping local families fighting pediatric cancer.
Past Chair | Seth Rupp | Zelis Healthcare
Seth Rupp is President of Zelis Network Analytics. Prior to Zelis, Seth held senior executive positions at Harbor/ProMedica (the largest behavioral health provider in northern Ohio), Netsmart Technologies, Passport Health and Cerner. Seth’s professional passion is building leading-edge healthcare technology businesses. His personal passions include spending time with family, cooking, fly fishing and serving on the board of the BigShifts Foundation.