Erika Kate Foundation - Our Board and Staff

What's This All About?

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. We provide short-term assistance to families in the midst of medical crisis, working with social workers in pediatric heart centers nationwide to bridge the gap for those whose short-term needs exceed available resources.

Meet Erika Kate

She loved to swing in her backyard, and the colors pink and purple. She adored her sparkly pink flip-flops, the rock band U2 and goldfish crackers. Erika Kate never knew how sick she was. Read her story

Encouragement For Your Journey

Remember that everyone you meet is afraid of something, loves somthing and has lost something. -H. Jackson Brown Jr.

Our Board and Staff

Rich Maynard is Erika’s dad and a certified registered nurse anesthetist in Muscatine, Iowa. He holds an MBA from the University of Iowa, and serves as chairman of the board for EKF.

Traci Maynard is mom to Erika and Erika’s siblings, Emma, Evan and Ella. Her passion lies in helping others experience God's love in new and unexpected ways. She is the emotional and spiritual support team leader for EKF.

Kelly Nissen is a social worker at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Kelly has more than 20 years of experience helping families of children with serious health problems cope with the practical challenges of a child's hospitalization at the University of Iowa Children's Hospital.

W.J. Albertson is an agent for State Farm Insurance Companies in Alpharetta, Georgia. He and his wife, Crista, lost their son to congenital heart disease in 2006.

Annie Thomas has worked as a marketing consultant for various companies in the past ten years, but has taken on her most challenging role, staying home and raising her children, Deane and Kate.

Wendy Young is an attorney with Stanley, Lande & Hunter in Davenport. Wendy has a law degree from the University of Iowa.

Laura Stabile is a pediatric cardiac and transplant social worker at University of Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital. Laura has extensive experience helping families of children with heart disease cope with the practical challenges of a child's hospitalization at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Jennifer Parrish is a pediatric cardiac social worker at Children’s Medical Center Dallas. Jennifer has extensive experience helping families of children with heart disease cope with the practical challenges of a child's hospitalization.

Maegan Gorham is the operations manager and donor strategist at Palmer College of Chiropractic. Her daughter was born with congenital heart disease. She works part-time in her role with EKF.

Dennis Howie is a Vice President in the private banking division of Goldman, Sachs & Co. in Atlanta, Georgia. Dennis has an MBA from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.

Nancy Nehlsen is owner and president of Nehlsen Communications in Moline, Illinois. Nancy has an extensive background in managing marketing and public relations functions for both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations.

Mary Hopkins (staff) is the Chief Professional Officer for EKF. Her background is in church leadership and ministry development. Mary is passionate about the transformative power of Erika Kate Foundation.

Carrie Harper (staff) is an administrative care team assistant. She is the first point of care for the EKF families. Her perspective was greatly shaped by the extended hospitalization of her daughter.

Tara James (staff) is an administrative assistant for EKF. She works primarily with web site development. Her background is in early childhood education.

	Rich Maynard is Erika’s dad and a certified registered nurse anesthetist in Muscatine, Iowa. He holds an MBA from the University of Iowa, and serves as chairman of the board for EKF.
	Traci Maynard is mom to Erika and Erika’s siblings, Emma, Evan and Ella. Her passion lies in helping others experience God's love in new and unexpected ways. She is the emotional and spiritual support team leader for EKF.
	Kelly Nissen is a social worker at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Kelly has more than 20 years of experience helping families of children with serious health problems cope with the practical challenges of a child's hospitalization at the University of Iowa Children's Hospital.
	W.J. Albertson is an agent for State Farm Insurance Companies in Alpharetta, Georgia. He and his wife, Crista, lost their son to congenital heart disease in 2006.
	Annie Thomas has worked as a marketing consultant for various companies in the past ten years, but has taken on her most challenging role, staying home and raising her children, Deane and Kate.
	Wendy Young is an attorney with Stanley, Lande & Hunter in Davenport. Wendy has a law degree from the University of Iowa.
	Laura Stabile is a pediatric cardiac and transplant social worker at University of Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital. Laura has extensive experience helping families of children with heart disease cope with the practical challenges of a child's hospitalization at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
	Jennifer Parrish is a pediatric cardiac social worker at Children’s Medical Center Dallas. Jennifer has extensive experience helping families of children with heart disease cope with the practical challenges of a child's hospitalization.
	Maegan Gorham is the operations manager and donor strategist at Palmer College of Chiropractic. Her daughter was born with congenital heart disease. She works part-time in her role with EKF.
	Dennis Howie is a Vice President in the private banking division of Goldman, Sachs & Co. in Atlanta, Georgia. Dennis has an MBA from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.
	Nancy Nehlsen is owner and president of Nehlsen Communications in Moline, Illinois. Nancy has an extensive background in managing marketing and public relations functions for both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations.
	Mary Hopkins (staff) is the Chief Professional Officer for EKF. Her background is in church leadership and ministry development. Mary is passionate about the transformative power of Erika Kate Foundation.
	Carrie Harper (staff) is an administrative care team assistant. She is the first point of care for the EKF families. Her perspective was greatly shaped by the extended hospitalization of her daughter.
	Tara James (staff) is an administrative assistant for EKF. She works primarily with web site development. Her background is in early childhood education.