About Us


Who We Are 
Founded in 1979, The Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Foundation (KCMBF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the charitable arm of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association (KCMBA). 

Our Mission
The mission of the Foundation is to serve the community by creating and supporting public service or educational programs which promote the administration of justice, delivery of legal services, professional development or respect for the law.

Our Vision
Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Foundation is a force in the community, channeling lawyers' commitment to solving problems and building an equitable future.

Our Legal Connection Programs
KCMBF is proud to have three Legal Connection programs that actively improve the justice system throughout the metropolitan Kansas City area: Domestic Violence Alliance, Military Matters, and Student Law Academy. Our Legal Connection programs allow the members of KCMBA to meaningfully give back to the community.
View this video to learn more about our programs and the work we do for the Kansas City community.


Our Leadership & Governance
The Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Foundation is governed by its Board of Directors, pursuant to the Foundation’s Bylaws. Officers of the Foundation include the President, who is Chairperson; Vice President; Treasurer; Secretary; Immediate Past President; and a Legal Adviser, who each serve a one-year term.


KCMBF Board of Directors

Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Foundation’s Board of Directors is the foundation's managing body. They meet at minimum quarterly to discuss and vote on the affairs of the foundation. Members are selected annually from a pool of applicants by the Nominating Committee for one, two, or three-year terms. The Nominating Committee may also choose to appoint Lifetime Members, who are permanent members of the KCMBF's Board of Directors. For more information on the structure and functions of the Board of Directors, please refer to the foundation’s Bylaws.

2022 Board of Directors

Image: black and white photo of Lauren Allen's headshot in soft lighting.

President
Lauren Perkins Allen

Leon Versfeld
Vice President
Leon Versfeld
Versfeld & Hugo, LLC

Russell S. Jones, Jr.
Treasurer
Russell S. Jones, Jr.
Polsinelli PC

Anna Berman
Secretary
Anna Berman
Kutak Rock LLP


Legal Advisor
Ronald Nguyen
The Law Office of Ronald Nguyen, LLC

Immediate Past President


Jill M. Katz

Lifetime Members

James R. Bartimus
W.H. 'Bert' Bates
Thomas V. Bender
Gregory M. Bentz
P. John Brady
Patricia A. Dorsey
James P. Frickleton
Peter E. Goss
Scott C. Gyllenborg
John S. Johnston
Jill M. Katz
Hon. Cynthia L. Martin
Hon. Ann Mesle
Timothy W. Monsees
Sandra L. Schermerhorn
David M. Skeens
J. Harlan Stamper
Wm. Dirk Vandever
R. Lawrence Ward
Robert C. Welch
Fred Wilkins
Hon. J.D. Williamson, Jr.
Jerome T. Wolf
James R. Wyrsch

KCMBF Past Presidents

Staff
Image: Vickie Mauck headshot.Vickie Mauck
Executive Director
vmauck@kcmbf.org

Vickie is the Executive Director of KCMBA and KCMBF. A long-time member of KCMBA, Vickie resigned from the position of Secretary to accept the Executive Director position on January 1, 2011. Before that, she served as Corporate Counsel for KCP&L and as Assistant General Counsel/Assistant Secretary for Great Plains Energy. Vickie received her B.A. from Drury University, her J.D. from UMKC, and her EMBA at the Bloch School of Business. Vickie served in the United States Navy Reserves and was honorably discharged as Lieutenant after ten years of service. She is a past president of AWL and founder and past president of AWLF. Vickie has also served in national leadership positions including president of the Conference of Metropolitan Bar Associations. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Bar Executives. Outside of work, you can find Vickie cheering on her kids in their various activities.


Sharra WagnerImage: Sharra Wagner headshot.
Foundation Director
swagner@kcmbf.org

Sharra joined KCMBA as the Manager of Sections and Committees in September 2017. In February 2019 she was promoted to Foundation Director of KCMBF. Sharra is responsible for all elements of KCMBF's Legal Connection programs: Domestic Violence Alliance, Military Matters, and Student Law Academy. She manages KCMBF's Liberty & Justice Gala among other events and social media. Sharra supports KCMBF's financial health through grant writing and reporting and provides administrative support to the Board. She also currently serves as a Trustee on the National Conference of Bar Foundations Board of Directors. Prior to KCMBA/F, Sharra earned her Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the UMKC Conservatory and taught collegiate music and humanities courses. When not working, you can find Sharra either on stage performing clarinet with local music groups, honing her interior design skills, or running.


Olivia JensikImage: Olivia Jensik headshot.
Foundation Manager
ojensik@kcmbf.org

Olivia joined KCMBF in April of 2020 as the Foundation Coordinator, with the main responsibility of coordinating day-to-day operations of KCMBF's Military Matters program. After a year of supporting the Foundation, she was promoted to Foundation Manager and now assists with all KCMBF programs and events throughout the year. Prior to joining KCMBF, Olivia was a Manager of the Management Consultant team at RSM LLP, specializing in strategy and operational efficiency within the finance industry. She received her Finance degree from the University of Kansas, where she also spent a semester studying abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Her love of travel continues, and you can find her either volunteering, planning travels, or curled up with her cats and a good book.
KCMBF Awards and Recognition


Image: Hope House Logo2022

Philanthropy Leadership Award for Domestic Violence Alliance
2022 Everyday Hero Luncheon

Image: logo of The Philly Awards horse, 2021 winner.
2021

Nonprofit Connect
Gold Philly Award for Social Media Campaign






Image: logo of The Philly Awards horse, 2021 winner.2021

Nonprofit Connect
Silver Philly Award for Informational Brochure






Image: 2020 KCMBF President Peter Goss with the Missouri Lawyers Media Award2020

Missouri Lawyers Media
Diversity & Inclusion Award









Image: two Philly Award trophies.2020

Nonprofit Connect
Award of Distinction for Informational Brochure









Image: two Philly Award trophies.2020

Nonprofit Connect
Gold Philly Award for Informational Brochure









Image: Points of Light multi-point star logo.2000

President George W. Bush Points of Light Foundation
Daily Point of Light #1576 Award


Image: KCSAE logo1999 and 2002

Kansas City Society of Association Executives
Advance Kansas City Award


Image: American Bar Association Logo1998

The ABA Standing Committee on Professionalism
E. Smythe Gambrell Professional Award