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Mitzi grew up in a household emphasizing personal responsibility, service to others, and providing her opportunities to excel athletically. She would attend the University of Missouri to pursue her bachelor’s degree while also competing as a member of the women’s track and field team. She would continue her pursuit of excellence by earning her master’s degree in education emphasizing health and exercise science.
While Mitzi has built an exemplary record of professional accomplishments at the University of Missouri, she also worked for a time at State Farm as an underwriter and served as President of the employee’s activities association. She returned to Mizzou as the Associate Athletics Director for Compliance before earning her current role as Director of Community Relations and NCAA Certification at University of Missouri which she has held for six years.
Her campus campaign service grew into a role as the Community Campaign Chair across the entire Heart of Missouri United Way service area, being selected to the Board of Directors, and culminating now in her role as the Board of Directors Chair. Along the way, she was also the recipient of the 2009 Jack Mathews, named after the first Heart of Missouri United Way president.
Mitzi’s commitment to excellence in community service is also on display in other aspects of her life. She has previously served as a board member and in various volunteer roles with Susan G. Komen of Missouri. Reflecting her active and engaging personality and lifestyle, Mitzi also currently serves as an advisory council member to the Show-Me State Games, a member of the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee on Transfer and Articulation, and as Board President for WIN for Columbia Women’s Intersport Network.
Most recently, Mitzi was selected by Impact COMO as the Most Impactful Board Member award recipient for which she is featured in the November, 2024 issue of COMO magazine.
Mitzi, how did you find your way to United Way?
Little did I know that when Mike Alden asked me to serve on the campus United Way Campaign Committee what initially seemed like one more thing on my “to-do list”—and a rather daunting one at that—would grow into such a personal passion. It serves as a reminder of how God is always at work in and through us, if we’re willing to just say “yes”.
Mitzi, why do you support United Way?
Unless you’ve been a part of the allocation process at HMUW, you wouldn’t have the perspective and the appreciation I do for how in-depth our process is as we review and consider each and every program we fund. It truly is special and should give HMUW supporters great confidence that their donations are being strategically allocated to create the greatest impact on our community.
Mitzi, what is a favorite memory of your time at United Way?
I can’t point to one event that serves as my favorite memory, but I can say that my favorite aspect of HMUW is their leadership in collaborating and supporting not just citizens who need help, but the agencies that deliver those services. Columbia is so fortunate to have such passionate leaders in the nonprofit sector dedicated to serving others. What has been most impressive to see in recent years is increased collaboration among the nonprofit organizations and leveraging one another to better assist our most vulnerable citizens.
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