BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Lindsey serves as the Executive Director of the organization.
A graduate of the Youth RISE program, Lindsey went on to play soccer in Chicago while studying Nonprofit Management. She earned her bachelor’s degree in just two and a half years and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Marketing at Uppsala University in Sweden.

With nearly four years of dedicated service to the organization, Lindsey is deeply passionate about its mission and the positive impact it has on youth. She finds great fulfillment in watching the kids grow and develop into confident, capable individuals.

Outside of her professional and academic commitments, Lindsey enjoys playing soccer, traveling, reading, and painting.

Bill Carroll has been a member of the Youth RISE family for approximately six years, joining as a volunteer assistant coach and goalkeeper coach for the program. Bill has his E coaching license and two national goalkeeping coaching certifications. He joined the Youth RISE Board of Directors in January 2022. Bill often assists with transportation of the program youth, as well as overseeing the two Youth RISE vans operation and maintenance. Bill also mentors several of the youth in the program.
Bill works for AT&T as an Asset Protection Lead Investigator in the Kansas City region. Bill is originally from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and received his undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice – Law Enforcement from the Univ of Tennessee – Chattanooga in the mid-1980s, while playing goalkeeper on scholarship at UTC in the NCAA Div. 2, Southern Conference. Bill worked as a Special Agent for the US Customs Service, Office of Investigations for 20 years before beginning his career with AT&T in 2010. He was assigned to the Detroit Special Agent in Charge (SAC) for the first two years of his career in Federal Law Enforcement then transferred to Kansas City, where he remained until retirement 2007.

Bill lives in Blue Springs with his wife, Michelle. They have a daughter, Alyssa, who is a senior at Rockhurst University studying Psychology and Criminal Justice. She and Michelle will assist with various Youth RISE needs, when available.

Christie Cain brings over a decade of experience in oncology nursing, clinical and IT leadership, and project management to her role as Vice President and Secretary of YouthRise KC. With a strong background in both healthcare and organizational strategy, she is passionate about building systems that help people thrive — especially youth in her own community.

Christie’s connection to YouthRise KC runs deep; her children have been involved with the organization for the past ten years, giving her firsthand insight into its positive impact. She believes every child deserves the opportunity to feel a sense of belonging and to participate meaningfully in their community. Through her leadership on the board, Christie is committed to helping YouthRise KC continue to create opportunities and inspire the next generation of changemakers.

Dr Ann Hope, also known as Murph, is the founder of Youth RISE. Holding a Bachelors and a Masters degree in Criminal Justice, as well as a PhD in Public Policy and Administration, Murph was the former executive director of Youth RISE, but now volunteers as the treasurer, as well as currently, a sergeant for the Kansas City Missouri Police Department. On top of serving as the treasurer and founder, Murph is also the program director. Murph's experiences as a former child care counselor, Varsity boys high school head coach, and college instructor have amplified her ability to specialize in relating, communicating, and connecting with adolescent youth and develop a proven record of positive influence in the community. Murph still currently plays competitively for WPSL team, Sunflower State FC. Murph's passion revolves around resiliency and her faith, strongly believing that it is important to recognize that everyone makes mistakes and faces barriers; however what matters most is what we do after those mistakes and to ask how we can get around those barriers. Murph holds a National C coaching license and the Urban Coaching Diploma. Murph enjoys her very limited free time playing soccer, attending church, spending time with her family, Sodoku, and any kind of art or creativity projects.