Meet the Noah's Bandage Project Team

Board President

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Laurie is the co-owner of JL Property Management, a residential and commercial property management company in the Kansas City metro area. She is also a licensed real estate agent in Kansas and Missouri. 

 

Originally from Manhattan, Kansas, Laurie received her degree from Johnson County Community College and focused on raising her daughters, Katie and Liv.

 

In 2015 Laurie began volunteering for Noah’s Bandage Project and immediately felt connected to their mission ‘to end childhood cancer through awareness, support, and the gift of hope.’  She is thankful that her daughters and her fiancé, Jeff, have joined her in volunteering and support her new endeavor as a board member. In her spare time Laurie enjoys watching Katie play softball, taking her girls to the theatre, cooking, playing pickleball and traveling.

Treasurer

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Keith Morice is a Partner at Ernst & Young, LLP specializing in financial statement audits and assurance services. Keith serves as the Diversity & Inclusiveness Leader for the Kansas City office, as well as the Community Engagement partner sponsor. Keith began with EY in 2001 after obtaining his Bachelors in accounting and Master of Accountancy from Kansas State University. He is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in Kansas and Missouri. Keith resides in Overland Park with his wife, Lindsay, and three kids, Will, Allie and Zach.

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After running several bandage drives in his office and participating in multiple events benefiting Noah’s Bandage Project over the past few years, Keith is now honored to be able to contribute further by serving on the Board.

Secretary

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My name is Abbie Connelly.  I am native to Kansas City.  I grew up in Raytown, MO, with my parents and four sisters.  We are all very close and all still live in the area.  I graduated from University of Missouri-Columbia, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Science-Nursing.  After, I went on to obtain my Master's Degree in Nurse Management from University of Kansas. During my time at MU I was involved with the Dance Marathon that benefited Children’s Miracle Network.  After graduating, I had my son Dillon, and am married to my supportive husband Bruce Garner! I am currently serving on the Board of Directors for NBP, Bright Futures Fund and the Development Committee for The Golden Scoop.

 

The Why: I love being a part of Noah’s Bandage Project Board of Directors because children’s health is near and dear to my heart as a mother and a nurse. When I met Scott and Deb I couldn’t help but feel a connection and need to do more for our kids.  I love the group that has been established and can’t believe how much has been accomplished since its inception with Noah just collecting colorful bandages in the toy tub.

Board Member - Noah's Mom

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Deb is a lead Head Start teacher at Open Minds Child Development Center in Olathe, KS. She received her Elementary Education degree from Ottawa University. She is pleased to be apart of Noah’s Bandage Project as Noah’s mother and a board member. Along with her 3 other children, Conner, Kailey and Natalie, they help to carry on their brother’s non-profit.

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Their passion for NBP comes from the strength they saw in Noah during his battle. Noah never wavered; he never gave up. Noah’s heart was to help others, no matter what, and to bring hope to kids fighting cancer through Noah’s Bandage Project. In her spare time Deb enjoys singing Karaoke, spending time with family & friends and enjoying good coffee & wine!

Board Member

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Kieran Pemberton, PhD is an experienced scientific, academic and health care administrator and brings a background in basic science and a thorough understanding of the research grant processes to his position on the Board of Noah's Bandage Project. Most recently, Dr. Pemberton worked at the Children’s Mercy Research Institute where he facilitated translational science, bringing the breakthrough results of laboratory research to the hospital’s patients and clinics.

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Dr. Pemberton was the Senior Director of Research Development for the CMRI. Among his roles within the CMRI, Dr. Pemberton was the CMRI liaison between the Owner, Architect and Construction Company during the design, build and occupation of the new CMRI building. Dr. Pemberton was the Director of the Children’s Mercy Internal Grants Program and Director of the CM Summer Scholar Program. He co-directed the Translational Research Seminar series with a colleague at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research. Scott and Deb Wilson were invited to give a presentation at the Stowers Institute where the work of the lab technicians and students was highlighted with the translational nature of the work conducted on a drug that Noah had been treated with.

Board Member

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Alex is marketing, analytics, and technology consultant and a passionate truth-seeker. Alex grew up in midtown Kansas City, and after a stint on the East Coast for college and grad school, returned to the city he loves most. 

 

He was involved with Noah’s Bandage Project originally through bandage drives, and joined the board after better understanding the full extent of the mission and the opportunity for the organization to make a positive impact on children’s lives.

Board Member

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Michael works at Ernst & Young as Audit Manager and Digital and Innovation Advisor. He has experience serving SEC registrants and private companies as well as consults internally to EY’s largest audit teams serving portfolio clients to push the digital needle. Michael is a licensed CPA in Missouri and is a member of the AICPA, KSCPA and MOCPA.

 

Michael, his wife (Regan) and their dog Teddy live in Lenexa. Michael is a native of Shawnee and graduated from Ottawa University in 2016 with his Bachelor of Arts in Business, double majoring in Accounting and Business Economics. 

 

He is on the Board of Trustees and Alumni Board for Ottawa University. Michael also participates actively in his church by being a volunteer leader with the youth group and serving on the Finance and Missions Guidance Teams. In his spare time, he enjoys baking, digesting whatever new content is on Netflix and playing video games. Michael began working with Noah’s in 2019.

Board Member

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Wayne Freeman is a franchisee in the Sport Clips hair cutting system, operating stores in KS, IA and MN with his business partner. Prior to assuming a full-time role within the franchise business Wayne spent nearly 15 years in the telecom industry, where he held diverse roles ranging from Internal Audit to Strategic Account Management. 

 

Wayne holds a BS in Business Administration from Kansas State University, with majors in Finance and Accounting. Wayne has a wife, Nikkie and three children, Maya, Aydin and Camden. They reside in Olathe, KS. Wayne enjoys spending time with his family, practicing Yoga and many adventures on his bikes.

 

Wayne looks forward to helping expand the reach of Noah’s Bandage Project, to advance the cause of pediatric cancer research.

Board Member

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Michelle Adler-Wexler is the B’nai Mitzvah Coordinator at The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah and also volunteers at The Golden Scoop. Michelle was born and raised in Prairie Village, Kansas.  Michelle is married to David Wexler and they have a 17-year-old daughter, Marissa.  Marissa and David have also been very involved with Noah’s Bandage Project since 2015.

 

I met the Wilson Family shortly after Noah passed away.  I felt a connection to the family right away and knew I wanted to help the foundation with its mission to get colorful and fun band-aids to hospitals and communities around the world.  I have volunteered at every Noah’s 5K and have helped collect over 1,000 boxes of band-aids over the years with my family.

 

I am very excited to be a new member of the board and help make a difference in fighting Childhood Cancer!

Board Member

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Ryan Dunn is the Senior Director of IT at the National Content and Technology CoOp. He has a bachelor's in Computer Science from KSU focusing on cloud technologies and modern-scalable architecture and a master's in Business Administration with a focus on finance. 

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In 2016 Ryan was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. After battling the disease for 4 years, he reached chemical remission with the aid of a newly released chemo treatment. It is his hope that he can help everyone fighting cancer in all forms by advancing cancer research so that they have a similar positive outcome.

Board Member

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Joe Tosch is a Registered Nurse at a tertiary hospital in the Kansas City area.  Originally from Detroit, Joe and his family moved to the KC area in 2014.  Shortly after arriving in KC, Joe's oldest daughter Ella was diagnosed with cancer.  Due to the severe lack of childhood cancer research, a treatment protocol was not available for Ella and she passed away shortly after Noah in September 2015.  

 

Having similar experiences with childhood cancer, Joe shares a passion for NBP and their mission.  Joe has volunteered at the Noah's Crown Town 5K from its inception and is honored to now serve on the Board.

 

Joe resides in Overland Park with his wife Sarah and Ella's siblings, Joey and Katherine.  

Board Member

 

Hi, I’m Jessica! I grew up in Overland Park and still live here with my husband, Heath, and our two girls, Adalynn “Addie” (6) and Lucy (3). I had heard of and have known about Noah’s Bandage Project for several years, but I really gained more knowledge and appreciation for the foundation when our older daughter, Addie, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in April of 2020 when she was 2.5 years old. Throughout her 2 years of treatment she was the recipient of countless bandages generously donated by NBP to Children’s Mercy. She also participated in the VolleyLllama event in 2022 right as she was finishing treatment. She’s now almost 6, just started Kindergarten and loving life!

I’m really looking forward to bringing my perspective as a warrior parent and becoming a part of a great group of individuals whose goal is to end childhood cancer!

Advisor - Noah's Dad

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Scott, along with his wife (Shelly) and their 5 other children (Conner, Kailey, Natalie, Korbin & Kennedi), carry on Noah’s Bandage Project. Their passion for NBP comes from the strength they saw in Noah during his battle. Noah never wavered; he never gave up. Noah’s heart was to help others, no matter what, and to bring hope to kids fighting cancer. 

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It is in this spirit that Noah’s family carries on his project. Noah’s journey exposed them to the horrors of childhood cancer and the devastation that comes from the lack of funding and awareness. By carrying on Noah’s Bandage Project, they hope to give kids fighting cancer a chance at a life. As a day-job, Scott is an Account Executive for Firemon, a network security software company based out of Overland Park, KS.

Program Manager

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Julie joined Noah’s Bandage Project in October 2022 as Program Manager, the only paid staff member of the organization. She brings to this position 30+ year’s experience in not-for-profit administration, including child welfare, child abuse prevention, health and legal services, food banking, and emergency assistance for low income families. Julie is now bringing her experience, energy, and passion for service and non-profit work to Noah’s Bandage Project. 

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Julie was born and raised in Topeka, Kansas, and graduated from Topeka High School. She then spent two years at Washburn University in Topeka, ultimately graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Ecology from Kansas State University. Years later, she earned a Masters of Science Degree in Adult Education from Kansas State University, also earning a Certified Public Manager certification from the State of Kansas as part of her graduate studies.

 

Julie most enjoys spending time with her family; her two daughters, Megan and Erin and their spouses, Jason and Michael, and her four grandsons, Colton, Xander, Fitz, and Sully. She and her grandsons love having slumber parties and doing science experiments together. Julie also spends time serving on her Homeowners Association board of directors. Hobbies include cooking, arts and crafts, very amateur home gardening, genealogy, working on home updates, and travel.