Mission Statement

The mission of the Erika Kate Foundation is to help ease the emotional, spiritual, and financial burdens borne by parents of children with life threatening heart disease.

Our Corporate Status

The Erika Kate Foundation is a non-profit corporation organized under the Revised Iowa Nonprofit Corporation Act. The Foundation is recognized as a tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 Our Board of Directors

Kelly Nissen, MSW, LISW, has been employed with the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for the past 18 years, including  the Center for Disabilities and Development (CDD), University of Iowa Children’s Hospital for the PICU, Cardiology Service and Heart Transplant Program, General Pediatrics and Pediatric Neurology.   She has a BA in Social Work from the University of Northern Iowa, and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Iowa.  She currently works in the Continuity of Care Program at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital. 

Chad Dillavou is a lifelong friend of the Maynard family. Chad's passion for the foundation is rooted in its core values: immediate assistance for families in immediate need. With a BA in Political Economy and Commerce from Monmouth College, he utilizes his diverse background to develop and promote proprietary Sales Force Automation technologies for Rite-Hite Corporation’s global sales force. 

Dana Frye is the Executive Vice President and Senior Lending Officer at Country Bank in Aledo, Illinois.  Dana was one of the founding members of the Country Bank back in 2000. He’s also an accomplished real estate developer in the Western Illinois and Eastern Iowa region. He is a visionary thinker with a gift for finance and business administration.  Dana is also Erika’s Great uncle.  

Traci Maynard is the loving mother of Erika and Erika’s siblings, Emma, Evan, and Ella.  She is a homemaker who loves God and works tirelessly to provide a warm and stable home environment for her family. Traci has the spiritual gift of encouragement and is passionate about helping others deepen their faith in and understanding of God when in the midst of brokenness. Traci holds a degree in elementary education from Northern Illinois University. 

Rich Maynard is Erika's beloved dad.  He has worked as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) for the past 10 years.  He is currently a partner in a private practice anesthesia group based in Muscatine, Iowa.  His educational background includes a Masters of Science from the Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia, near Nashville, Tennessee, and also a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Iowa.

 

Maegan Gorham