NEW BEGINNINGS Welcome New Members! Seated: Andrea Alford and Lisa Garver Standing: Sue Calhoun, Mandy Baliva and Mary Ann Kancel Andrea Alford Andrea Alford is a native of Georgetown, South Carolina. She is a graduate of the College of Charleston with a BS degree in Marketing. Andrea married her longtime friend Alexander Alford 31 years ago, and they have been blessed with two wonderful children. Andrea s daughter Kristina works as a graphic designer for Cisco Systems and her son Alex is a senior at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. Andrea has moved frequently due to her husband s work. They have lived in 15 cities and visited 8 countries. Andrea loves traveling, reading, gardening, playing tennis and participating in community service. She thanks her sponsor and friend Cyndi James for introducing her to KCYM and is excited to have the opportunity to serve the local community and to cultivate new longtime friendships. 125
Mandy Baliva Mandy grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay in 2001. She worked for Protective Life Insurance in Birmingham, Alabama. Mandy originally moved to Kansas City in 2011. In 2013, she and her husband Pat moved to Oakville, Ontario, where they lived for two years. They were thrilled to move back to Leawood in 2015. While in Birmingham, she joined a running group and discovered a passion for distance running. She has run more than 30 marathons in several different states. Mandy and her husband have two rescue dogs who are the loves of their lives. They have a Bloodhound named Ellie and a Basset Hound, Gustav. Mandy would like to thank Peggy Beal for being her sponsor. Jennifer Caldwell Jenny is an energetic mother of five and has been married to Lance for 25 years. Jenny studied Vocal Performance at UMKC Conservatory of Music. She has many hobbies, including sewing, singing, coaching as a USA Swim Coach and USA Tri Coach. She finds time to train and run with her husband on weekends. Jenny s five children range in age from 12 to 22. She has two children in college, one at the University of Kansas and one at Kansas State University. A third child will attend Kansas State University this fall. Her two youngest children are still at home. Jenny was introduced to KCYM by Edie Downing and has enjoyed several KCYM activities, including the Gala in January 2017. She is looking forward to meeting many new ladies and being able to serve in the community. Sue Calhoun Sue grew up in McPherson, Kansas. She graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Oral Communications and Secondary Education. After several moves, which included two stops in Kansas City, she spent 25 years in Minnetonka, Minnesota. Sue was a high school reserve teacher and also a busy volunteer in the Minneapolis area for many years. In 2014 she returned home to Kansas City to be closer to her daughter Casey and husband Curtis, who live in Overland Park. Her son Blake and wife Stephanie and their son William live in Kentucky. Sue enjoys spending time with her family and friends, gardening, walking her dog Pistol, traveling, cheering on the Royals, and exploring Kansas City. Sue would like to thank Karen Leimer for being her sponsor. 126
Seated: Kimberly Esposito and Mary Ring Standing: Margy Hofmeister-Ronning, Jennifer Caldwell and Mary Pat Williams Kimberly Esposito Kimberly grew up in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and attended Florida Athletic University, majoring in Political Science. It was there that she met her husband Leo, who also grew up in South Florida. She moved to Kansas City in 2003 when her husband, a lawyer, accepted a job here. Kimberly has four children. Alexandra (26) graduated from the University of Kansas with a Journalism degree. Gene (22) currently attends the University of Kansas. Francesca (20) and Rob (20) attend Kansas State University. Kimberly stays busy selling real estate. She also enjoys cooking, gardening and playing with her three dogs. She would like to thank Jane Webster and Chandra Spencer for introducing her to KCYM. 127
Lisa Garver Lisa was born Mary Elizabeth Trussel in Houston, Texas. She attended the High School for the Performing Arts as a dance major and received her B.B.A. and M.B.A. in Business Management from Texas A&M University. Lisa has been married for 31 years to Steve, and they are the parents of three daughters who all reside in the Kansas City area. Their daughter Jenny is married and works as an attorney. Stephanie is engaged and is a registered dietician. Georgia is a recent graduate who works at Cerner. Lisa and Steve just moved to Prairie Village and are busy remodeling their new home. Lisa looks forward to making new friends and volunteering in new places. She thanks Brownyn McNeese for being her KCYM sponsor and longtime Bunco friend. Mary Ann Kancel Mary Ann Kancel, whose maiden name is Mary Ann Neath, grew up in Kansas City, Kansas. She attended Bishop Ward High School, the University of Kansas (BA in English and Political Science conferred 1982), and the University of Kansas School of Law (JD conferred 1984). She currently practices in her own firm and she also works as a judge pro tempore for the City of Kansas City, Kansas. In 1994, Mary Ann married Randy (University of Kansas/Rockhurst MBA). They have two children: Mary Katherine, a senior at the University of Kansas School of Nursing; and Helen Mary, a 2017 graduate of Bishop Miege High School, who will attend the University of Kansas this fall. Mary Ann has been active in her church and her children s schools, and she has volunteered with many civic organizations. She enjoys being with her dogs Mo and Teddy, reading, gardening, watching movies, singing in choirs and being outdoors. She thanks Sue von Geyso for introducing her to KCYM, and looks forward to the many new friends and the opportunities for community service provided by KCYM. Mary Ring Mary has called the Midwest home since moving to Kansas City with her family during middle school. After receiving her degree in journalism from the University of Kansas, she began a 20-year career as a client service manager at Waddell & Reed. Mary and her husband Kevin live in Mission Hills and have two adult children. Their daughter Libby, as well as their son Gallagher and his wife Emily, all live in Denver, Colorado. Mary is actively involved with the Chi 128
Omega sorority. She volunteers at Children s Mercy Hospital and Cristo Rey Kansas City High School. Her hobbies include running, reading, snow skiing, road biking and hiking. Mary and Kevin travel frequently to Colorado to visit their children and enjoy spending time with friends and family at their home at Lake Lotawana. She is thankful to Terry McGhie for introducing her to KCYM and looks forward to many opportunities to serve the local community. Margy Hofmeister-Ronning Margy has lived in Kansas City since 1969. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Kansas State University and worked at Hallmark Cards Inc. for 14 years. Then, Margy worked as a freelance artist for 10 years and was the VP of Marketing for a wireless technology start-up with her husband. She now works full-time as a real estate sales executive. When not working, Margy loves everything family! Her two sons Mark and David both attend Kansas State University. She has been married to her husband Eric, an IT Consultant, for 38 years. They have two entertaining golden retrievers. Margy has a passion for the environment and outdoor activities including hiking, skiing and biking. She wants to thank her good friend, Coleen Flathman, for introducing her to KCYM! Mary Pat Williams Mary Pat was born and raised in Springfield, Illinois. She attended the University of Illinois and received a B.S. in Elementary Education, with a minor in Special Education in 1984. It was there that she met her Chicago-born husband Dennis. She has been married for 31 years and has three children - Bobby (29), Jackie (27) and Michael (25). Due to her husband s work, she moved around for over 10 years before settling in the Kansas City area in 1997. She lives in Mission Hills and enjoys walking her two dogs Charlie and Otis around the neighborhood. She loves traveling, volunteering and participating in a neighborhood book club. She is a member of the Tomahawk Road Homes Association and is on the Mission Hills Park Board. She thanks her sponsor, Terry McGhie, whom she met over 15 years ago when they lived across the street from each other. She is so happy to be a new member and looks forward to getting to know all the ladies of KCYM. 129