2010 Northland Early Education Center
Board of Directors

Lisa Hurley - President

Elizabeth (Lisa) Hurley is an attorney practicing with the law firm of Fox, Partee and Nigro. She graduated from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and from The University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Law. After graduation, Lisa worked for Legal Aid of Western Missouri representing poor and indigent clients. Currently her focus is in the areas of municipal, traffic and criminal defense.

Lisa and her husband, Jeff, reside in Kansas City North with their two daughters, Kristen and Kaitlin. She also has a son, Nathan who is married with two children. Lisa spends her free time being involved in her girls' school activities and watching her children's sporting activities. She also is active in the Northland Race for Life, which does fundraising for cancer research and treatment.

Sandy Walker - Vice President

Sandy Walker, PHR, is the Chief Administrative Officer for Renzenberger, Inc. in Lenexa, KS. Her education includes a Bachelor's degree in Management and Marketing from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. In addition in 2000, she obtained her Master's Degree in Human Resource Management.

 Sandy has volunteered on the Board for NEEC since 2003, where she served two terms as Board President. In addition, she volunteers at the St. James Food Pantry and spends most her time attending her children's many activities. Sandy and her husband Chuck have two children, Sierra and Forrest and live in Kansas City.

Michelle Wood - Treasurer

Michelle Wood brings a passion for financial literacy and community involvement to the Northland Early Education Center, where she serves on the Finance and Building Committees. She is a Branch Manager for Community America Credit Union, where she has been coaching members to reach financial success for a decade. She attended the University of Kansas, gaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. She is an alumnus of the 2008 Women’s Leadership Advance through the Advancing Leadership Institute. She also participated in the prestigious Leadership Northland during their 2007-2008 session. All the while, she devoted herself part time to providing direct care for adults with disabilities for eight years. Michelle and her partner, Trish, live in the Northland with their adorable daughter, Tatum, who attends NEEC. Michelle is very close to her three rambunctious nephews who have special needs and also attend NEEC.

Roswitha Schaffer - Secretary

Roswitha Schaffer was born and raised in Fulda, Germany and moved to the United States shortly after college. In 1979 she and her husband Ken moved to Kansas City. She and Ken have three daughters; Katrina, Regina and Alexandra. After Alexandra was born and diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, Roswitha chose to stay home with their daughters, during this time she developed an interest in philanthropy. In 1985, she and Ken became very involved with United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), advocating for advancement, independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities. That same year, Ken and Roswitha's appreciation for the arts and acknowledgement of its need for support, lead them to become active patrons of the Harriman – Jewell Series. In 2001, Roswitha joined the Board of Directors at the Northland Early Education Center (NEEC), where she has served as the President. A few years later, she became involved with Synergy Services, fighting to eliminate family violence, abuse and neglect. She continues her philanthropic service today with NEEC, UCP, the Harriman – Jewell Series and Synergy Services

Kimberly Macias-Lewis

Kim is the Chief Financial Officer for Henry Wurst, Inc. After moving back to the Kansas City area in 1998, Kim completed her MBA from Rockhurst University, received her CPA certification and is licensed in the state of Missouri. Although her proudest achievement has been becoming Mom to son Cameron and daughter Avery.

Chris Gardner

Chris Gardner is currently the General Manager of the Holiday Inn Express in Westport. He also owns and operates his own Beef Jerky business online.

Chris has volunteered on the Board of Directors for Northland Early Education Center since fall of 2008. He is currently acting as the Treasurer on the NEEC Board. He is also a member of the finance and building committee as well as the parent’s ranch party committee.

Chris and his wife Tracie have been foster parents for the past 11 years and have adopted 3 children to go with his 4 biological children. Three of their children attend NEEC. Chris and his wife are both actively involved in NEEC activities

Tammy Butler

Tammy is native of the Kansas City northland and has taught Elementary school in the North Kansas City School District for 23 years. Tammy’s love of children and her desire to help them reach their full potential inspired her career. Tammy graduated from UMKC with a BS in Elementary Education and completed her Masters in Education at Webster University. She and her loving husband were proud to watch their daughter graduate from Cornell University in May 2008.