Vision: To reach, inform, and inspire the lives of children and families.

Mission: Strengthening Families are Essential to our community, city, and state. And, we believe, Everything Starts at Home...

About Terri

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Terri English-Yancy, BA, MA, MA
Founder and CEO
UMKC Alumni

Former NutureKC Board Member

Member of KBEN (Kansas Birth Equity Network)

Essential Families reflects its founder and CEO Terri English-Yancy, who from an early age combined the take-charge attitude of the oldest sibling with an innate love for children.

A native of Kansas City, Missouri, Terri’s family moved around a lot with her father’s job as regional territory manager with John Deere.

The family ultimately returned to the Kansas City area, where Terri graduated from Olathe North High School.

Nine years older than her sister, and six years older than her brother, Terri was the one who handled pickup from sports and other duties while her parents were working. Terri was also the go-to babysitter in the neighborhood.

Maybe she was a little bossy. But in hindsight, Terri does not see it that way.

“I was just a leader in the making…because I always wanted to take care of everyone.”

Before founding Essential Families, Terri spent 24 rewarding years with the Family Conservancy, a respected nonprofit that has served young children and families from its base in Kansas City, Kansas, for nearly 150 years.

At the Family Conservancy, Terri served as the Program Manager of the Head Start Home-Based program. She oversaw a 12-person staff.

While being Program Manager at the Family Conservancy, one mom in particular, helped propel Terri to start Essential Families. This mom was a single, working parent with a 3-year-old at home being watched by grandma.

The childcare arrangement was problematic since Head Start required a natural parent to fill that role. But the bigger problem was that the mom made just slightly over the income eligibility guidelines for Head Start.

This single working young mother touched me in such a way, that she motivated me to start Essential Families. Because this mom was desperate for Family Conservancy services… “She wanted her son in the program” but was denied.

Terri holds an undergraduate degree in child and family development from Southwest Missouri State University (now known as Missouri State University).

Terri also holds two (2) master’s degrees from the University of Missouri-Kansas City (in curriculum and instruction) and from Webster University (in management and leadership).

Terri English-Yancy

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Essential Families

Executive Leadership Team

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Terri English-Yancy, BA, MA, MA,
Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Bringing over 30 years of experience in program policy, fiscal management, and strategic planning, Terri champions the success of Essential Families. Known for her data-driven approach and commitment to positive outcomes, she effectively oversees compliance and financial matters within Essential Families, making strategic decisions that enhance operational efficiency and delegating tasks appropriately.

Her leadership has been pivotal in the development of critical child and family services, particularly through the Essential Digital Equity Program, which aims to bridge the digital divide. Terri holds two Master’s degrees, one in Management and Leadership and another in Curriculum and Instruction/Early Childhood, alongside a Bachelor’s in Child & Family Development.

As a former board member of Nurture KC, she has demonstrated her commitment to collaboration and community engagement. Terri’s diverse expertise and dedication make her a transformative leader, positively impacting the lives of children and families in the Kansas City area. As a results-driven leader, known for her strong communication skills and collaborative approach, Terri has successfully secured significant funding, including grants from the United Way and the Kauffman Foundation.

Terri is dedicated to creating a culture of transparency and accountability while fostering positive relationships with stakeholders, ensuring that Essential Families continues to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families.

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Jayce Greene
Chief Financial Officer

With 25+ years of commercial banking and financial services experience, I provide Strategic CFO Consulting services for real estate developers, small to mid-sized business owners, and non-profits. Formerly a Director of Lending with a CDFI in the Midwest, I specialize in affordable housing-related projects with developers that are looking to "give back" to their communities through their real estate development skills.

My clients work on all types of properties, icluding residential, commercial, and mixed use that involve both rehab and new construction throughout the United States. Given my prior investor real estate underwriting experience, my highest and best use is my ability to translate a developer's concept into a financial proforma that attracts lenders and investors to provide funding for their project.

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Alexis Benshoff
Director, Accounting and Bookkeeping

Alexis Benshoff is a skilled bookkeeper and financial expert with a strong passion for numbers and fostering relationships. As the Director of Accounting and Bookkeeping at Essential Families, she oversees financial operations and ensures accurate financial reporting, contributing to the organization’s mission of supporting families in need. With three years of experience preparing financial statements and managing accounts at 1800-Accountant, Alexis has developed a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of effective bookkeeping practices.

Prior to her current role, Alexis worked at Intuit, where she provided expert assistance to QuickBooks clients across various platforms, including QuickBooks Desktop, Online, and Payroll. Her extensive experience in accounting software and dedication to client satisfaction have equipped her with the skills necessary to streamline financial processes and enhance organizational efficiency. Alexis’s commitment to excellence and her ability to connect with people make her an invaluable asset to the Essential Families team.

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Riza Artizuela
Executive Administrator

With 9 years of diverse professional experience, she's taken on roles such as tutor, Content Writer, Digital Content Coordinator, Copywriter, Social Media Manager, Ghostwriter, and Administrative Manager. Riza is not only proficient in her day-to-day responsibilities, but is also passionate about optimizing processes and contributing to the overall success of the executive management team.

Dedicated to community service, Riza has been actively involved in spearheading feeding and nutrition programs for malnourished kids and seniors since 2016. During typhoons, she extends support by providing families with essential supplies. She's thrilled to contribute to Essential Families' vision of reaching, informing, and inspiring the lives of children and families, addressing the Digital Divide.

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Kenneth P. Yancy I, BBA
Chief Digital Marketing and Business Development Officer

Kenneth (Kenn) P. Yancy I is a seasoned executive with over 40 years of experience in marketing, high-speed broadband, telecom, real estate development, and custom software development. His career, marked by a data-driven and team-focused approach, began at IBM, where he mastered leveraging technology for service delivery and company growth.

Kenn’s professional odyssey began at IBM, where he honed his technical expertise and learned the nuances of leveraging cutting-edge technology for service delivery, company growth, and profitability optimization. This foundational experience paved the way for his subsequent roles at major corporations such as Sprint, Cisco Systems, 3rd Wave Marketing, Essential Families, and Faith Properties.

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Amy Fortney, BA, PMP
Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Amy has nearly 25 years of Operations leadership and Project Management experience as a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). Career highlights have included leading large teams and implementing provider credentialing systems for 250k+ providers at the nation’s largest health insurer as well as management of award-winning care teams and territories in home care for the country’s third largest non-profit health system. She has also been responsible for leading two business divisions in delivery and fulfillment of multi-year, multi-million-dollar state contracts administering Workers Compensation and tax processing for three state departments of taxation during her tenure at a leading Business Process Outsourcing company.

Ms. Fortney is a consultant for 7 and 8-figure small businesses providing fractional Operations leadership services and personalized business coaching.

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Christina Kohn
Chief Rural Essential Digital Equity Program Officer

Christina Kohn is a seasoned social worker with clinical license since 2005, bringing nearly two decades of experience to her practice. Throughout her career, she has had the privilege of working with a diverse range of individuals, including adults, teenagers, and children, across various settings.

Since December 2022, Christina has served as a Digital Navigator with Essential Families, where she plays a vital role in bridging the digital divide for rural communities. In this capacity, she trains new Digital Navigators, ensuring they are well-equipped to support families effectively. As the Digital Navigator Council District 6 Director, Christina advocates for the needs of both navigators and the families they serve, reinforcing her commitment to community empowerment.

Employing a strengths-based approach, Christina focuses on recognizing and building upon the inherent capabilities of each individual. She is dedicated to meeting clients where they are in their journeys, emphasizing their unique goals and aspirations. Additionally, as an Essential Parenting Educator, she provides valuable resources to families, fostering environments that nurture growth and resilience. Christina’s compassionate approach and unwavering dedication make her a trusted ally for those seeking guidance and support.

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Mikia Johnson
Director, Family and Community Engagement

Mikia Johnson is a dedicated and results-driven professional with expertise in leadership, digital advocacy, and community engagement. Mikia is passionate about bridging the digital divide and enhancing access to technology for underrepresented communities. She graduated summa cum laude from Bethune-Cookman University with a degree in Business Administration, where she developed a strong foundation in problem-solving, project management, and strategic planning.

Mikia has worked as a Digital Navigator with Essential Families and a Client Service Specialist at AVO Transportation & Language Solutions. In these roles, she has empowered communities with digital literacy, managed high-volume client communications, and provided personalized assistance to address the technological needs of diverse populations. Mikia is committed to fostering digital equity and driving meaningful change in the communities she serves.

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