Karole Bradford

Foundation Chief Executive Officer

Karole became Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation on May 1, 2020. She joined the Foundation in December 2018 as Chief Program Officer. She provides executive leadership to the Foundation and reports to the Board of Directors. Bringing 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience, she previously was executive director of Riverview Health Services, a Kansas City, Kan., agency that helps uninsured children and adults access prescription medications. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Wichita State University. 

Mackenzie Garrett, J.D., M.B.A

Development Manager

Mackenzie Garrett received both a Juris Doctorate and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and a bachelor’s degree in Justice and Peace Studies from the University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul, Minnesota. She recently passed the Uniform Bar Exam and is now a licensed attorney in the State of Missouri. She has experience organizing, implementing, and promoting key procedures and strategies to fundraise and provide resources for underserved communities, including serving as Co-Chair for the Diverse Student Coalition, Vice President for the Latino Law Students Association, and Placement Leader for the VISION Global Community Building Program. Through her legal, business, and social justice background, Mackenzie is equipped to evaluate complex problems and develop creative solutions in promoting equitable and sustainable change.

Rocío Melchor

Program Director

Rocío oversees the Wy Jo Care and Metro Care programs along with other projects for the KCMS Foundation. Joining the Foundation in 2021, she brings 14 years’ experience helping the people we serve as a referral coordinator, practice administrative manager, and supervisor at three safety-net clinics and FQHCs. She demonstrates a passion for our mission and experience leading process improvement efforts.

Kristi Neff

Director of Health Access

Kristi Neff has more than 20 years of experience in strategic health care management. She joined the KCMS Foundation in February 2023 as the Director of Health Access. Kristi holds degrees in psychology and education from the University of Tennessee. She has worked in various business development, corporate wellness, and marketing capacities with North Kansas City Hospital, The University of Maryland Medical System, Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council, and the CHI Memorial Health Care System in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Mitzy Ramirez

Program Coordinator

Mitzy Ramirez holds an Associate’s Degree from Kansas City Kansas Community College, brings experience as a Care Coordinator, and has worked with safety net clinics for more than nine years. Mitzy is bilingual and is most excited about focusing on closing gaps that affect our communities, including language barriers. Mitzy is passionate about helping others and eager to find new ways to serve her community.

Maria Valencia

Program Coordinator

Maria supports the Program Manager in handling referrals and arranging for donated care. Joining the Foundation in 2019, she has 15 years of experience in case management and billing administration. Fluent in Spanish, she is an asset in serving the Foundation’s Latino patients. She holds a bachelor’s degree from MidAmerican Nazarene University.