Born on the serene Caribbean island of Antigua, Jovan Glasgow’s story is one of triumph over adversity. At just four years old, a devastating accident left him with a broken neck and little hope for recovery. Yet, through a miraculous surgery and extraordinary resilience, Jovan defied the odds, setting the tone for a life defined by strength and determination.
Years later, tragedy struck again with the loss of his father to cancer. This profound event became a turning point, igniting an unyielding pursuit of hope, purpose, and fulfillment. Jovan vowed to transform his pain into power, dedicating his life to inspiring and empowering others to rise beyond their challenges.

Jill is a retired public school educator with 35 years of teaching experience. She has taught in public schools in North Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Kansas. Jill retired in 2019 from the Andover, Kansas school district, and began working at Rolph Literacy Academy as a Literacy Intervention Specialist where she taught Alphabetic Phonics for 3 years. Recently, Jill joined the teaching staff of the Andeel Teacher Literacy Institute at the Phillips Fundamental Learning Center. She is a school board member for the Andover schools, a board member for the Orion Education and Training Center, and a member of the Kansas Early Literacy and Dyslexia Advisory Council.

Jill and her husband David have been married for 42 years and they have two children and 3 grandsons. Jill loves to read, travel, spend time with her family, and advocate for neurodiverse kids.

Kerrie Lonard, Child Advocate, began with the Division of the Child Advocate in December 2021. She was confirmed as the Child Advocate for the Office of the Child Advocate in February 2025. Previously Kerrie spent 14 years with Kansas Legal Services, with a focus on poverty law issues, serving as both Staff Attorney and Managing Attorney. Kerrie supervised staff in providing legal assistance in areas of housing, consumer, public benefits, and child and family law matters. Kerrie has represented children and youth as Guardian ad Litem (GAL), as well as parents, and interested parties in child-in-need-of-care proceedings. Prior to earning a law degree, Kerrie worked as a school social worker for five years, and other foster care and child advocate roles, including as a CASA volunteer.

Kerrie earned a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Kansas, a Master of Social Work from Washburn University, and is a graduate of Washburn University School of Law.

Kerrie has served on the Kansas Supreme Court Taskforce on Permanency Planning as a GAL, as panel member and former Chair for the CAPTA Citizen Review Panel: Intake to Petition/CJA Taskforce, and presently serves as the National Association of Counsel for Children State Coordinator for Kansas.

Brook Town, Case Investigative Analyst, brings over a decade of experience in child welfare work to the office. She has most recently worked with one of the state’s foster care contractors serving families providing foster care. During her time with the contractor, she provided supervision to staff, developed training for foster parents, and aided numerous families as they navigated the fostering, reunification, and adoption journey. Previously Brook worked for the Department for Children and Families, completing Family-Based assessments, referring families to services, and assessing allegations of abuse and neglect.
Brook earned a Bachelor of Social Work from Washburn University and a Master of Social work from Park University. She holds a professional license as a Master Social Worker (LMSW) in Kansas.

Tricia Wells is a dedicated professional with a passion for supporting children and families through trauma-informed care. As the TBRI (Trust-Based Relational Intervention) and Resiliency Integration Manager, she uses her expertise to create environments that foster healing and growth for children in need. Tricia recently achieved her TBRI Practitioner certification in October 2024, further enhancing her ability to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those she serves. Before transitioning into her current role, Tricia served and spent almost seven years as the Senior Executive Assistant to the CEO, Nickaila Sandate, where she played a pivotal role in organizational development and strategic initiatives. Her extensive experience has provided her with a deep understanding of both leadership and operational support, making her a versatile and compassionate leader.

Tricia also brings a wealth of experience from the training world. Prior to joining EmberHope, she was the Director of Training for an organization with over 1,000 employees, where she led efforts to enhance staff development and training initiatives. She also spearheaded the Manager Training Program, which prepared managers for new store openings, ensuring a smooth transition and success in leadership roles. In addition to her professional responsibilities, Tricia is deeply committed to providing spiritual support to staff and leading Bible studies for the children on the Newton campus, creating a nurturing environment that blends emotional, relational, and spiritual well-being. With a heart for service and a dedication to building resilience, Tricia continues to empower those around her, cultivating an atmosphere of trust, healing, and hope.

Julie Breshears has been serving as the Initial Licensing Trainer at EmberHope Youthville for the past five years, dedicating her career to supporting and empowering foster families. In this role, she guides and prepares prospective foster parents through the licensing process, helping them build a strong foundation for the children they welcome into their homes. Since 2021, she has also been a certified TBRI® (Trust-Based Relational Intervention) Practitioner, committed to promoting trauma-informed care and relational healing. In addition to her professional work, Julie has been a foster parent to many children over the years, giving her firsthand insight and a deep passion for the work she does every day.

Matthew's journey to his current position of Wealth Advisor at RCB Bank began with a degree in Economics from the University of Kansas. He subsequently enhanced his skills working for Farmers Insurance, Koch Industries, and Nationwide Insurance. Just prior to joining RCB, he spent two and a half years as an Assistant Vice President & Trust Officer with The Trust Company of Kansas.

Matthew’s professional reputation centers on his enthusiasm, big ideas, and leadership. His extensive experience in insurance, risk, and financial services empowers him to develop deeper client relationships and holistically better serve their needs. Matthew says, "My clients would describe my service as personalized. I let each client know I genuinely care and desire to deliver extraordinary care."

Professionally, Matthew focuses on adding value to the community and becoming a trusted resource for all matters related to risk and finance. He's motivated by a vision of being a servant leader for his family and community. Outside of work, you'll find Matthew staying active. Training for Prairie Fire half marathons, camping at music festivals, and supporting his four children's various events. He’s also a loyal fan of the Jayhawks, Chiefs, and Royals.

Matthew is civically minded, too, regularly supporting organizations like United Way, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Salvation Army and Hope Community Church in Andover. He serves on the board of The Wichita Arts Council, promoting and advancing arts and culture in the community.

Gina Greenwood is a salon owner and hair care specialist based in downtown Wichita, Kansas, with a focus on curly and textured hair. With years of experience in styling, braiding, and healthy hair maintenance, Gina is passionate about helping people feel confident in their natural hair. As a strong advocate for education, she enjoys teaching practical techniques that make hair care more manageable, especially for parents and caregivers.