Events

I joined Heart to Heart Int’l in 2014 after 30+ years in the pharmaceutical industry. I’d spent over two years as a teenager living in Ethiopia (my parents were missionaries.) Part of that time we lived deep in the bush, far from any type of medical support. I was drawn by the mission of HHI, including supplying medicines and medical support to areas in need, like places I had lived. I also felt my background in pharmaceuticals was a great fit.

 

After a few years leading HHI, including some fairly intense responses (e.g. Ebola in Liberia, Cholera in Haiti, hurricanes in Texas and Puerto Rico) I realized that we were not doing as much for people in our own country as I would have wished. Hence the idea to start a nonprofit Patient Assistance Program, bringing high cost medicines to elderly and low income patients in the U.S. by contracting with pharmaceutical companies who would donate the medicines.

 

The HHI board approved the idea in Dec 2018, and in 2019, I began shifting HHI leadership to our COO, who became the CEO. Meanwhile I started RegaloRx, a nonprofit PAP, which launched late that year. It was designed to compete with for profit PAP’s, earn a profit and turn those profits over to HHI.

 

In retrospect, launching a new business right before the pandemic began was the worst possible timing imaginable. We quickly pivoted to a virtual operation and remained that way even after the pandemic subsided. We also had to borrow money to fund the startup expenses, so the profits we started to earn were all going to debt repayment and servicing. It was going to be several years before we paid off the debt and could start funding HHI. By that time we were helping 40,000+ patients across the U.S., providing them free medicines and shipping them from our contracted mail order pharmacy.

 

In 2022, we were approached by a for profit company to buy our operation. In 2023, with the agreement of the RegaloRx Board, we decided to seek other potential acquirers since the value of the company needed to be verified. An obvious question is “how can you sell a nonprofit”? It can be done by selling the assets inside the entity but of course not the 501c3 itself. (I will describe this in the presentation.)

 

In late 2023, we sold all the assets of our nonprofit operation to a for profit company for $7MM, repaid all our debts and obligations, had approximately $900,000 left over (which belongs to HHI) and the pledge by the new  owner to support HHI for up to 7 more years based on certain milestones. No employee lost their job as a result of the acquisition. I remained another year (as a requirement of the deal) to run the new Regalo. I retired from the company at the end of September 2024.

Ned Seaton is a career journalist and publisher from Kansas. He grew up in Manhattan, went away to college at Harvard, then worked at newspapers in Arizona, California and Florida, as well as the Associated Press's Kansas City bureau, before returning to Manhattan, where he's the fourth generation newsman in this family. 

Karis Harrington is a Kansas City native currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Board Member for Kansas City G.I.F.T., as well as the Executive Director of The Next Paige Talent Agency.

In addition to her leadership roles, she serves on The Soul of Santa Board of Directors and actively contributes to the Board of Directors for More2 and the fundraising committee at The Melting Pot Theater.

With over 20 years of experience in business development, Karis is deeply committed to empowering underserved communities, supporting small businesses, and strengthening the Black economic ecosystem in Kansas City. Her passion for this work has made her a sought-after speaker and a recognized advocate for economic development. She has advised mid-sized businesses, consulted with C-suite executives, and delivered impactful presentations to city and county leaders.

Prior to her current roles, Karis served as the Senior Business Development Officer for the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City.

Karis holds an undergraduate degree from Tennessee State University, a graduate degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), and also pursued law studies at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law

David Naster was a theater/psychology major in college. He soon realized he’d rather make fun of people instead of helping them. That’s what lead him to becoming not just a comedian, but an internationally, well-known comedian. Naster was the only American Comedian to open for Celine Dion’s World Love Tour. He has been a headline act for Norwegian Cruise Lines for 29 years, and he has received awards from colleges and TV for his comedic talents.

Yet, underneath all of the laughs, David discovered that humor and laughter could heal the deepest emotional and physical pains. That led him back to his psychology roots, creating You Just Have To Laugh.  This one-of-a kind brand and applicable philosophy inspires, encourages and brings joy to millions of people. By using real examples of real life from real people, David Naster speaks to professional and private organizations worldwide. 

David is an award winning author and filmmaker. His books and films have been implemented at the Stanford Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic and MD Anderson Cancer Institute. 

In his 40th year of making people laugh, David’s passion and purpose is simple “To Help Heal the World, One Laugh at a Time.”

LaTasha Jacobs is executive director of Pathway Financial. 

LaTasha Jacobs is a seasoned professional with more than 10 years of commercial banking experience in the Kansas City area. As the Executive Director of Pathway Financial Education, she brings extensive knowledge and an enviable network of community relationships to her role. Prior to joining Pathway Financial Education, LaTasha served as a Community Development Banker at UMB, one of the region’s largest banks, where she helped clients with customized solutions to meet their banking needs and objectives.

Throughout her career, LaTasha has been dedicated to supporting under-resourced communities, frequently leading financial education workshops and providing technical assistance to those in need. Her strong background in branch banking and operations has given her a comprehensive understanding of the unique needs of local residents, and how to connect them to the proper resources.

LaTasha was raised in Wyandotte County, Kansas, where her dedication to community service took root early. While in high school, she volunteered with nonprofit organizations, nurturing her passion for empowering individuals and families to build financial skills, knowledge, and security.

As Executive Director, LaTasha is committed to broadening Pathway Financial Education’s reach and impact and strengthening its partnerships. Her leadership is instrumental in driving equity, expanding access to the underserved, and helping break the cycle of generational poverty that afflicts many underrepresented communities.

Angelique Cheatem, Adult and Youth Program Manager

Angelique Cheatem is a highly dedicated and skilled professional in the financial services industry, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Financial Counseling earned in 2017 from the University of Missouri-Columbia. During her academic journey, Angelique actively engaged in the Financial Planning Association, demonstrating her early commitment to mastering the complexities of financial literacy.

Her passion for community service began in her youth, where she volunteered with the nonprofit organization Ladies/Teens of Essence, contributing to programs aimed at supporting and uplifting those in need. This dedication to service has remained a cornerstone of Angelique’s career, as she strives to empower individuals and families through financial education.

With four years of extensive experience in the finance industry, Angelique has honed her expertise and continues to focus on improving financial literacy for everyone she meets. Currently, she serves as the Financial Education Program Manager at Pathway Financial Education, where her work reflects her unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of others.

Danielle D Jones PhD MPH

VP of Accountability, Belonging, and Culture

Association of Women’s Health Obstetrics and Neonatal Nurses

Danielle joined AWHONN in 2022 as the organization’s first Vice President of Accountability, Belonging, and Culture.  She previously served as director of the American Academy of Family Physicians’ Center for Diversity and Health Equity (CDHE). In this role, she operationalized the strategic priorities of the AAFP’s Board of Directors and executive leadership on issues of workforce diversity, health in all policies, medical education and practice tools that advance equity. 

Prior to joining the AAFP in 2017, Danielle served as Director of Maternal Child Health for March of Dimes Kansas and a Fellow with the Army Public Health Center at Fort Leavenworth KS advising the Senior Commander of the Combined Arms Center. Both roles involved the development and implementation of equity focused health promotion strategies to reduce disparities in maternal mortality, preterm birth, substance use and suicide by addressing the social determinants of health, policy, systems and infrastructure.

Danielle’s service to the Kansas City area includes board appointments to organizations like Uzazi Village, KCKCC Foundation, Reach Healthcare Foundation, United Way of Greater Kansas City, and Young Women on the Move.  She also holds an adjunct faculty appoint at the University of West Florida Department of Public Health. 

Danielle completed her doctoral degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Health Policy and Management where her research on unconscious bias has led to the development of evidence-based curriculum and training for faculty. She also earned a Master of Public Health from the University of West Florida and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Missouri Kansas City.