STAFF & BOARD MEMBERS

STAFF

Click on the photos to see each staff member’s bio, primary focus areas and contact information.

Kristy Baughman
Executive Director

Christina Ashie Guidry
Director of Policy & Planning

Rita Carr
Director of Community Planning

Erika Garcia Reyes
Director of Resource Allocation

Rachel Russell
Director of Equity and Community Engagement

Erin Weston
Manager of Special Projects

Aunnesty Dwyer
Public Policy and Research Intern

BOARD EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Dr. L. Michael McCloud, PhD
President

Hon. Jenifer Ashford
Vice President

Rev. Cheryl Jefferson Bell
Secretary

Vicki Webster
Treasurer

Holly Haase
At-Large

Michael Wilson
At-Large

Erik Erazo
Past President, ex-officio

BOARD MEMBERS

Dr. Putul Allen, MD
Hon. Jenifer Ashford
Rev. Cheryl Jefferson Bell
Dr. Graciela Couchonnal
Erik Erazo
Molly Haase
Dr. L. Michael McCloud, PhD
Rogeana Patterson-King
Dawn Rattan
Mickey Sandifer
Jeff Short
Nolan Sunderman
David Waters
Vicki Webster
Michael Wilson

COUNCIL OF ADVISORS

Mary Birch
Pat Colloton
Dr. Stuart Day
Hon. Peggy Dunn
Ed Eilert
Jeff Ellis
Rev. Adam Hamilton
Ellen Hanson
Terrie Huntington
Audrey Langworthy
Penny Postoak Ferguson
Jill Quigley
Tom Robinett
Clint Robinson
Carol Sader
Brad Stratton
Charlie Sunderland
Hon. Stephen Tatum
David Warm
Interested in UCS Board membership? Please email Kristy Baughman at kristyb@ucsjoco.org

KRISTY BAUGHMAN

Executive Director

kristyb@ucsjoco.org
913-689-2322

Kristy Baughman is the Executive Director of UCS. Kristy has more than 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. With UCS, Kristy has specialized in addressing housing needs as an essential component of healthy communities. Collaborating with jurisdictions in Johnson County and across the state, Kristy uses research and data analysis to better understand and address housing issues. Prior to joining UCS, Kristy spent more than 12 years working internationally with a focus on improving the lives of women and girls, advocating for gender-based violence prevention and response in nine different countries. Her international career led her to work with organizations such as CARE International, Save the Children, United Nations, and UNICEF. Kristy also worked for Rose Brooks Center (RBC) as the Advocacy and Education Manager, leading RBC’s Community Education, Legal Advocacy, and Non-Residential Advocacy programs. Kristy joined the UCS team in 2018.

PRIMARY FOCUS AREAS:
– Operations & Management
– Stakeholder Engagement
– Community Planning

CHRISTINA ASHIE GUIDRY

Director of Policy and Planning

christinag@ucsjoco.org
913-689-2326

Christina Ashie Guidry supports effective policy and planning processes in Johnson County, such as the Johnson County Eviction Mediation Pilot Program and the Criminal Justice Advisory Council. She convenes the Kansas Housing Advocacy Network (KHAN), a statewide coalition addressing housing insecurity and homelessness. She hosts educational events for elected officials and staff, highlighting effective programs, identifying gaps, and supporting a robust housing continuum.

Prior to joining UCS in 2020, Christina served as a Senior Policy Analyst for the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. She is a licensed attorney with degrees from the University of Virginia School of Law and Texas A&M University. She enjoys spending time outdoors with her family in Kansas.

PRIMARY FOCUS AREAS:
– Public Policy Advocacy
– Kansas Housing Advocacy Network (KHAN)

RITA CARR

Director of Community Planning

ritac@ucsjoco.org
913-689-2323

Rita Carr leads and convenes the KS-505 Continuum of Care (CoC) on Homelessness, a community collaboration to improve the response to poverty and homelessness. Rita oversees the annual HUD Collaborative Application grant submission and Johnson County’s annual Point in Time Count, and convenes and leads the Emergency Food and Shelter Program grant fund process.

Rita has over 15 years of experience working with youth and families experiencing housing instability in the KC metro area. Prior to joining UCS, Rita led youth and family homeless shelters, transitional housing programs, and youth street outreach at a local social services agency. She also served on UCS’ Transitional Aged Youth Planning and Implementation Project, participated in the Johnson County CoC for over 5 years and served as a Co-Chair of the CoC Board.

PRIMARY FOCUS AREAS:
– Continuum of Care on Homelessness
– HUD CoC Grant Facilitation
– EFSP Grant Facilitation

ERIKA GARCÍA REYES

Director of Resource Allocation

erikag@ucsjoco.org
913-689-2325

Erika GarcÍa Reyes facilitates the Human Service Fund volunteer review process, a city-county fund that supports programs which promote economic self-reliance and safety. She also facilitates the Drug and Alcoholism Council, an all-volunteer council committed to preventing and reducing substance abuse through funding allocations to local organizations and school districts. Additionally, Erika provides staff leadership of the Children’s Coordinating Council, which fosters the development of a comprehensive, interconnected service network to achieve better outcomes for Johnson County’s most vulnerable children and their families. Erika joined the UCS team in 2023.

PRIMARY FOCUS AREAS:
– HSF Grant Facilitation
– SUF Grant Facilitation
– Children’s Coordinating Council

RACHEL RUSSELL

Director of Equity & Community Engagement

rachelr@ucsjoco.org
913-689-2327

Rachel leads race equity and community engagement efforts at United Community Services of Johnson County, bringing nearly 10 years of nonprofit experience and a deep commitment to equitable, systemic change that improves health outcomes for all. She previously served as Director of Community Engagement at Cross-Lines Community Outreach in Kansas City, Kansas. A former AmeriCorps VISTA, Rachel’s dedication to civic engagement is shaped by her experiences as a mother, public school graduate, and longtime community advocate. She currently serves as Vice President of the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools Board of Education and is recognized for her collaborative, equity-centered leadership in both professional and civic spaces. Rachel joined the UCS team in November 2024.

PRIMARY FOCUS AREAS:
– Equity & Community Engagement
– Racial Equity Roundtables
– Sister’s Circle Events

ERIN WESTON

Manager of Special Projects

erinw@ucsjoco.org
(913) 438-4764

Erin Weston is the Manager of Special Projects. In her role, Erin supports the Director of Community Planning and Director of Resource Allocation in administration of the HUD Continuum of Care and Substance Use Continuum of Care grants. Outside of UCS, Erin serves as an adjunct lecturer in social work and supports a small team of researchers specializing in human services. Additionally, Erin has nearly 10 years of experience working with individuals and families in the Kansas City Metro area. Erin joined the UCS team in 2025.

AUNNESTY DWYER

Public Policy and Research Intern

 

Aunnesty Dwyer is the Public Policy and Research Intern. In this role, Aunnesty supports public policy work related to housing and housing stability. She is currently a student at the University of Missouri–Kansas City (UMKC), pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with minors in History and Communications. Outside of her work at UCS, Aunnesty enjoys reading and spending time with animals. Aunnesty joined the UCS team in 2026.

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