Jason Murray
Executive Director
Serving Since 2024

Linda Chisholm
Administrative Assistant
Serving Since 2017

Teresa L. Powelson
Program Officer
Serving Since 2019

Mackenzie Mitchell
Development & Communications Coordinator
Serving since 2019

2023-24 Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is a committed group of community stakeholders from across Barton, Pawnee, Rush, and Stafford Counties. They ensure the mission and vision of Golden Belt Community Foundation is fulfilled through strategies that secure a better tomorrow.

Kim Guesnier* . . . . . . Great Bend
Baudilio Hernandez . . . . . . Great Bend
Kara Jecha* . . . . . . Timken
Laura Luft* . . . . . . La Crosse
Janell Foote . . . . . . Hudson
Chelsea Steffen* . . . . . Larned
Cora Anderson . . . . . . Otis
Jim White . . . . . Larned
Mel Waite. . . . . . Ellinwood
Mike Cargill . . . . . . Stafford

*represents Officer or Executive Committee member

Investments Committee

The Golden Belt Community Foundation takes seriously its stewardship responsibilities in managing donor funds and recognizes that each donation, no matter the size, reflects each donor’s confidence in GBCF’s ability to invest resources wisely. Assets of GBCF are managed in accordance with applicable investment and security laws and regulations, including the Kansas Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act.

Steve Dobratz . . . . . . Great Bend
Scott Higgason . . . . . . Otis

Paul Snapp . . . . . . Great Bend

Your Land. Your Legacy. Farmland Giving Committee

The Farmland Giving Committee is responsible for policy recommendations, evaluating potential gifts, and overseeing the management of land.

Tyler Alpers . . . . . . St. John
Steve Miller . . . . . . Burdett

Mike Ringwald . . . . . . Great Bend

Grants Committee

The Grants Committee reviews strategic and competitive grant applications and makes funding recommendations to the Board of Directors. The Grant Committee is composed of GBCF board members and community members across our service area.

Committee changes time to time.

REDPIN Committee

GBCF participated in the Rural Economic Development Philanthropy Innovators Network (REDPIN), an 18-month peer network exploring philanthropy’s role in rural economic development. The group was able to learn strategies for rural family, business, and community economic success. Through this program, life was breathed into our Come Home initiative, a multipronged approach to retaining, educating, and recruiting people to the Golden Belt area.

Mark Bitter . . . . . . Great Bend
Melanie Calcara . . . . . . Great Bend
Sheryl Cheely . . . . . . Great Bend
Carolyn Dunn . . . . . . St. John
Sheryl Schamaun . . . . . . . Great Bend