Heart of Missouri United Way
Welcomes Talia Jackson as New
President and CEO
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On February 19, the Heart of Missouri United Way Board of Directors announced its selection of Talia Jackson as the new President and Chief Executive Officer to lead the organization forward beginning on March 3, 2025.
Talia comes to United Way with more than 20 years of experience leading programs in the telecommunications, engineering and construction industries. Having spent more than a decade serving in various cross-functional development roles at Burns & McDonnell in Kansas City, she most recently served as Business Initiatives Department Manager before retiring from her position in 2024. Prior to joining Burns & McDonnell, Jackson held past roles in ethics and compliance and operations for Embarq and Sprint. She is also a 2017 graduate of the United Way of Greater Kansas City Governance Academy and has served as a member of the Heart of Missouri United Way Board and Advisory Council.
A native of St. Louis, she and her family moved to Columbia in 2023, when her husband Kerrick Jackson became the University of Missouri’s 15th head baseball coach. They have two sons, Zion and Lazarus. The Jacksons previously lived in Columbia from 2011 to 2015.
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Please join the Heart of Missouri United Way Board of Directors, donors, volunteers and staff at a welcome celebration in support of Talia Jackson as the new President and CEO of Heart of Missouri United Way.
Monday, March 17, 2024
4:00pm - 6:00pm
With remarks at 4:45pm
The Clinton Club at Mizzou Arena
1 Champions Drive
Columbia, MO 65211
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MISSION: To train and support volunteers to be exceptional voices for every abused and neglected child in the Boone and Callaway County Family Courts.
VISION: For every child who needs them, Heart of Missouri CASA envisions a trained volunteer advocate, a safe home, and a promising future where each child can reach their full potential.
United Way Support: Health and basic needs impact investments support the Child Advocacy program through Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA's) to advocate on behalf of abused or neglected children. The program aims to improve outcomes for these youth and ensure they remain free from abuse, have their needs met, and find a safe, permanently home as soon as possible.
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2-1-1 to Connect our Community | |
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Heart of Missouri United Way joined other local United Way organizations across the nation to celebrate on February 11 (or 2-11) the 2-1-1 community connection service that assists individuals be connected to resources in their local area.
Mid-Missouri is serviced by a consortium of midwestern United Ways to operate the 2-1-1 community services network. Any individual may dial 2-1-1, 1-800-427-4626 or visit www.211helps.org and speak with a coordinator to help connect the caller with community resources available to meet their needs. Connecting services include things such as food, housing, warming centers, counseling or care needs, and many other resources available to help so that all in our community may thrive.
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Joining Forces to Fight for Literacy | | |
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Heart of Missouri United Way proudly partnered with the Mizzou Men’s basketball team, University of Missouri Athletics, Champions for Literacy, Mizzou’s Pi Beta Phi Women’s Fraternity, and International Paper to host the Fight for Literacy event at the Mizzou men’s basketball game against Lindenwood University. Mizzou Athletic Director Laird Veatch and Associate Athletics Director for Academic Services Tami Chievous joined 2024 community campaign co-chairs Dr. Lauren and Rhett Brengarth, their family and other United Way supporters on court at half time to present a $5,000 check. The event collected more than 700 books for Columbia youth.
International Paper has generously committed to match up to an additional $5,000 in gifts through March.
Thank you Mizzou Athletics, Director Laird Veatch, Associated Director Tami Chievous, Coach Dennis Gates, and all that have supported the Fight for Literacy.
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Board Member Spotlight
Dr. Noreen Houck,
Chair, Community Impact Committee
Heart of Missouri United Way
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Dr. Noreen Houck always knew she would enter the nursing profession. She saw first-hand her mother’s dedication to providing care for others as a nurse. Noreen’s mother instilled her desire to care for others with unmet needs through active involvement in church programs and a family tradition of community service in Upstate New York. Her mother worked as a nursing instructor at Ohio State University and later taught nursing in Syracuse, New York.
After graduating high school, Noreen studied nursing at Villanova University and earned her Bachelor’s degree. She returned to her childhood home to obtain her Master’s degree as a perinatal clinical nurse specialist at Syracuse University. She also began working to improve the nursing profession at Pomeroy College. Noreen quickly earned her role as a program director at the college, having shown great skill at building programs and improving student learning outcomes.
Noreen married and began a family. Her first exposure to United Way came through her employer-offered payroll deduction program. She targeted her giving to be impactful on local equity and social justice causes. Once her daughter entered grade school, Noreen deepened her professional abilities and earned a Doctorate from Duquesne University. She accepted a role at State University of New York College at Plattsburgh as associate professor. She went on to serve as the department of nursing chair and led notable successes in establishing new programs, enrollment growth, consistent high licensing passing rates, and secured accreditation.
In 2019, Dr. Houck and her family were seeking a new adventure and community to explore. A new opportunity to create a nursing program at Stephens College presented itself. Columbia impressed her as warm and inviting community which reflected the values that shaped her life. The opportunity to be near the Katy Trail and experience new natural landscapes was also appealing. In just a few years, she has successfully built the program, fostered a strong partnership with Boone Health to provide practical experience and expertise for students, and immersed herself in a community dedicated to improving outcomes so that all may thrive.
Dr. Houck joined the Heart of Missouri United Way Board in 2020 and now serves as the community impact committee chair and on the executive committee.
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Dr. Noreen Houck always knew she would enter the nursing profession. She saw first-hand her mother’s dedication to providing care for others as a nurse. Noreen’s mother instilled her desire to care for others with unmet needs through active involvement in church programs and a family tradition of community service in Upstate New York. Her mother worked as a nursing instructor at Ohio State University and later taught nursing in Syracuse, New York.
After graduating high school, Noreen studied nursing at Villanova University and earned her Bachelor’s degree. She returned to her childhood home to obtain her Master’s degree as a perinatal clinical nurse specialist at Syracuse University. She also began working to improve the nursing profession at Pomeroy College. Noreen quickly earned her role as a program director at the college, having shown great skill at building programs and improving student learning outcomes.
Noreen married and began a family. Her first exposure to United Way came through her employer-offered payroll deduction program. She targeted her giving to be impactful on local equity and social justice causes. Once her daughter entered grade school, Noreen deepened her professional abilities and earned a Doctorate from Duquesne University. She accepted a role at State University of New York College at Plattsburgh as associate professor. She went on to serve as the department of nursing chair and led notable successes in establishing new programs, enrollment growth, consistent high licensing passing rates, and secured accreditation.
In 2019, Dr. Houck and her family were seeking a new adventure and community to explore. A new opportunity to create a nursing program at Stephens College presented itself. Columbia impressed her as warm and inviting community which reflected the values that shaped her life. The opportunity to be near the Katy Trail and experience new natural landscapes was also appealing. In just a few years, she has successfully built the program, fostered a strong partnership with Boone Health to provide practical experience and expertise for students, and immersed herself in a community dedicated to improving outcomes so that all may thrive.
Dr. Houck joined the Heart of Missouri United Way Board in 2020 and now serves as the community impact committee chair and on the executive committee.
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Celebrating Black History | |
Heart of Missouri United Way invests in programs at nonprofit organizations in the impact areas of health and basic needs, education, and financial stability. Our investments reach individuals and families in Boone, Cooper, and Howard Counties. Donate today to make an impact in our community. | |
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