Board of Directors. Mentors.

Who we are, what we've done, and why we're leaders in the Kansas City community

Sarah Castle

President

Sarah Castle was born and raised in Colorado. At the age of eleven she became paralyzed and was diagnosed with Acute Transverse Myelitis. In the early months of her disability, Sarah was exposed to sports for people with disabilities, and instantly began participating in swimming, track and field, wheelchair basketball, and skiing. Her early exposure to sport led her to compete in Paralympic swimming competitions as early as age fourteen.
 
At sixteen, Sarah competed at her first Paralympic Games in Sydney, Australia, and won a silver medal in the 100 meter breaststroke. From there her athletic career took off, as she competed in swimming competitions around the country and world, and was recruited to swim and play wheelchair basketball at the University of Illinois.

In 2002, Sarah joined the University of Illinois Women’s Wheelchair Basketball team, and won a silver medal at the 2002 IPC Swimming World Championships, again in the 100 meter breaststroke. The University of Illinois Women’s Wheelchair Basketball team also took home a National title that year. Sarah would go on to win five National Championships as an Illini.

In 2004, she competed in the Paralympic Games in Athens, and finished fourth in the 100 meter breaststroke. Sarah’s swimming career ended in 2004 as a result of multiple shoulder injuries, but her athletic career continued, and in 2005 she was named to the United States Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team. 
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Sarah played wheelchair basketball as a member of the US National Team from 2005 to 2012. She competed in two Paralympic Games, bringing home a gold medal in 2008. She was also a member of the 2006 World Championship team that brought home a silver medal, and the 2010 World Championship team.

Sarah graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science with an emphasis in Disability Studies, and a Graduate Degree in Political Science and Civic Leadership. In 2012, Sarah graduated from the University of Missouri, Kansas City Law School. Sarah describes herself as an advocate. She currently works as a Jackson County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, and serves as the Diversion Manager. Sarah is also the President of the Board of Directors for the National Wheelchair Basketball Association.

​In 2017, Sarah, along with thirteen young adults and children, formed Y4KC, a youth organization dedicated to making Kansas City better through service. Y4KC’s first project was to host a wheelchair basketball event, to raise awareness and funds about the benefits of access to sport for children with disabilities.

Theresa Crayon

Vice President

Theresa Crayon is the Chief Trial Assistant in the General Crimes Unit of the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office. She has been an assistant prosecuting attorney for 27 years. Theresa, originally from upstate New York, moved with her family to Topeka, Kansas and graduated from Hayden High School. She then attended the University of Kansas School of Law after receiving a double major in Business Administration and Communication Studies. ​She began service-oriented leadership activities during high school including working with children with disabilities, serving on the St. Thomas More School Board, and serving as  a past board member of Kansas City Domestic Violence Coalition.

Mandy Shunk Foley

Secretary

Mandy Shunk Foley is currently a marketing consultant with MKS Marketing Associates LLC. She has been a marketing professional for over 25 years working with top consumer product companies such as Hallmark Cards and Nestlé Purina. Mandy is a graduate of the University of Kansas. She began her community service leading corporate United Way programs, and she continues to support local organizations that focus on improving our Kansas City community.

Quinton Lucas

The voters of Kansas City elected Quinton Lucas to represent the city’s Third District at-Large in 2015. The youngest current councilmember, Quinton spent most of his youth residing in the city’s urban core with his mother and two older sisters.

An attorney, Quinton earned a law degree from Cornell University and his bachelor’s degree from Washington University. Upon returning to Kansas City from school, Quinton started his career as a law clerk to the Honorable Duane Benton of the United States Court of Appeals. He then practiced business law for several years. At 27, Quinton joined the University of Kansas School of Law faculty, where he continues to teach and write. He also volunteers extensively in area schools and organizations, including providing mentorship in area prisons.

Prior to elected office, Quinton served on the city’s Charter Review Commission and with numerous other civic, philanthropic, and professional organizations. He now serves as Chair of the City Council Housing Committee, where he works with issues related to affordable housing and the future of the city’s housing policy. Quinton also is a member of the committees on Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development; the Airport; Transportation and Infrastructure; Neighborhoods and Public Safety.

Quinton lives in the Historic 18th and Vine Jazz District.

Lauren Barrett

Lauren Barrett is a prosecuting attorney with the Special Victim’ Unit of the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office. Prior to her employment with Jackson County, Lauren worked for the Missouri Attorney General’s Office. She attended the University of Missouri School of Law and School of Journalism.

​Lauren is a lifetime Missouri resident and began service oriented leadership activities during high school. She has been involved with Habitat for Humanity, MOCSA, the Committee for County Progress, and the University of Missouri Alumni Association. She has presented state-wide on issues related to the prosecution of sex crimes and crimes against children.

Brian Vance

Brian Vance develops and manages reinsurance programs for Zurich Insurance in the North American automotive sector. Brian has extensive experience in the automotive and insurance industries and began his career with Zurich in 1999. At Zurich, Brian has been involved with reinsurance, product development, commercial insurance, the Direct Markets Thought Leadership Board and is the Chairperson of the Field Advisory Council. He works with the Training and Business Development team to train new employees and enjoys developing those around him and mentoring future leaders.
 
Brian has a CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor) designation, a CRM (Certified Risk Manager) designation, a MPFS (Master Professional in Financial Services) designation and a B.S. in Management from the University of Phoenix.
 
Brian and his wife, Lana, live in Stilwell, KS with their 4 children: Mia, Emma, Olivia, and Chase.  Their family is very active in a variety of sports and community activities. Brian and Emma started working with Y4KC in 2017 and are passionate about giving back to the community and developing our next generation of leaders.