The Sunflower Foundation’s nine-member Board of Trustees is committed to leadership, fiscal responsibility, integrity, openness and equity in its relationships and work. The trustees develop the foundation’s strategic direction and review that plan every three years to manage priorities, timelines and outcomes.

Kansas’ attorney general is the sole member of the Sunflower Foundation Corporation and appoints eight of the trustees. The ninth trustee is appointed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas. The voluntary trustees serve three-year terms and can serve up to three terms.

As much as possible, trustees represent the ethnic, racial and geographic diversity of Kansas. Several requirements also apply:

• Must be an adult resident of Kansas.
• Cannot have served within the preceding 10 years of appointment as a director, officer, employee of any substantial contributor to the corporation or any affiliate, subsidiary, parent or successor, thereof.
• Cannot stand or hold election to any statewide office while serving as a trustee.

The trustees ensure that the foundation is operating transparently with due diligence. The trustees hold the staff accountable to grantees and the public. Members of the Board of Trustees govern the foundation in its current work, while keeping an eye on the horizon and long-range goals.
 

Board members are listed in the order they appear in the photo top right (left to right).

Mia Korbelik, Dodge City, and her family operate a farming business. She was appointed to the foundation board by former Attorney General Paul Morrison in 2007. Mia is currently secretary of the Sunflower Foundation Board of Trustees.

Howard Shuler, Topeka, is retired Superintendent of Schools for Auburn-Washburn USD 437. He was appointed to the foundation board by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas in 2009.

Chris Ruder, Lenexa, is vice president, patient care services, at the University of Kansas Hospital, Kansas City. He was initially appointed to the foundation board in 2005 by former Attorney General Phill Kline. Chris is the current chair of the Sunflower Foundation Board of Trustees.

Reggie Robinson, Topeka, is president & CEO of the Kansas Board of Regents. He was appointed to the foundation board in 2009 by Attorney General Steve Six.

Marty Beezley, Pittsburg, is a city commissioner and also has served as Pittsburg’s mayor. She was initially appointed to the foundation board in 2005 by former Attorney General Phill Kline. Marty is the immediate past chair of the Sunflower Foundation Board of Trustees.

Kraig Gross, Hays, is controller for Kansas Natural Gas, Inc. He was initially appointed to the foundation board by former Attorney General Phill Kline in 2006. Kraig is currently treasurer of the Sunflower Foundation Board of Trustees and also chairs the finance committee.

Carolyn Williams, Wichita, is vice president of Westar Energy, where she is responsible for distribution of energy and power delivery. She was appointed to the foundation board by former Attorney General Paul Morrison in 2007.

Greg Unruh, Onaga, is president & CEO of Community HealthCare System, Inc., Onaga. He was initially appointed by former Attorney General Karla Stovall in 2000 to serve as one of the foundation's inaugural trustees. Greg is past chair of the Sunflower Foundation Board of Trustees.

Karen Hauser, Salina, is chief executive officer of Catholic Charities in Salina. She was initially appointed to the foundation board by former Attorney General Phill Kline in 2005.