Board Members

Kardell Sims

Kardell Sims

At the helm of NORTH’s Board of Directors is president Kardell Sims, motivational speaker and Master Certified Life Empowerment Coach with 11 years of experience as a community organizer. The author of six books, Sims provides re-entry consulting. Sims has inspired hundreds of individuals through his speaking engagements at federal penitentiaries and at-risk youth events as well as his podcasts. Sims directs the On the Inside Re-Entry Academy inside the Western Reception Diagnostic and Correctional Center (WRDCC) in Saint Joseph, Missouri.  

Shawn Sims

Shawn Sims

Vice President Shawn Sims’ passion for community service began as a freshman college student enrolled in the ROTC program as he watched the Twin Tower terrorist attack unfold, and again in 2005 when he helped evacuate victims of Hurricane Katrina.  In addition, Sims has served diligently as an advocate to break down the barrier between law enforcement and the North community, contributing countless hours campaigning successfully for the election of Sheriff Brad Anders. A United States Army Veteran, Sims has served two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. Sims’ focus as a member of North’s board is to bring commerce and industry to the neighborhood in which he was raised.  

Nancy Sims-Vanburen

Nancy Sims-Vanburen

Chairperson, Nancy Sims Van Buren earned an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from State Fair Community College, achieving the 2003 Distinguished Student Award for students earning Associate of Science Degrees as well as the Marjorie White Turner Hope for Tomorrow Award from the Sedalia-Pettis Chapter of the NAACP. Following her graduation, she was employed at EnerSys Energy for 15 years where she quickly rose to a leadership level as line supervisor. Sims excels at organizing and fostering team effort for task completion

Beverly Clark

Beverly Clark

In her 37-year career with the Sedalia Housing Authority in the role of Section VIII coordinator, Secretary Beverly Clark has not only mastered the skill of project management, but her proactive advocacy for Sedalia families struggling to find affordable housing has followed her into retirement where she continues to serve as Volunteer Coordinator for Habitat for Humanity. In addition, Clark has served as the Juneteenth Coordinator since 2001 and is an active member of Sedalia’s Helping Hands, a concerned citizen organization that helps the community’s elderly with home maintenance. 

Belinda Bell

Belinda Bell

Treasurer Belinda J Bell was born and raised on the Northside of Sedalia and shares the vision of several board members that this area is important to the continued growth of our hometown. Bell has a MBA from Baker University and Bachelor’s in Accounting from Lincoln University. She brings over 20 years of accounting experience to this position in a variety not for profit and for-profit industries. As the Director of Accounting Service since 2021 where she ensures the accuracy and reporting of the University of Central Missouri financial position and net assets. Belinda also spends her time volunteering in several organizations of Burns Chapel Free Will Baptist Church and services as the Treasurer of the Western Division of Free Will Baptist, Inc.

Grace Sims

Grace Sims

In addition to her coursework at the University of Missouri in Columbia,  Grace Sims earned her Associate of Science in Computer Networking and Administration from State Fair Community College. As Network Administrator at Bothwell Regional Hospital since 1998 where she ensures the hospital’s various forms of essential software function seamlessly and efficiently across the ten-building campus, Sims has also acquired expertise as a budget manager.  A member of the Harmony Grand Chapter Order of Eastern Star MO Jurisdiction, Sims is treasurer for her local chapter Queen City #47 and serves as the 4th District Representative for the organization.

Carrie Brown

Carrie Brown

Member-at-Large, Carrie Brown holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Columbia College. She is employed at Job Point in Columbia, Missouri with the YOUTHBUILD program as a placement specialist and case manager. Carrie has also worked for the Columbia Housing Authority as Director of Resident Services and created after school programming for at-risk youth. Doing her time at the Columbia Housing Authority she also helped to develop and create a Youth Community Coalition committee. Her mission in life is to help others reach their highest potential by connecting them to needed resources to reach their own goals

Anneliese Homan

Anneliese Homan

Grant Writer Anneliese Homan is committed to researching funding sources that match NORTH’s mission and advocating on the organization’s behalf for the financial support it needs to achieve its goals. Homan retired after a 34-year career in education including 27 years as an English instructor at State Fair Community College.  She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English, an Education Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction, a certificate in genealogical studies from Boston University, and recently completed coursework emphasizing grant writing for non-profits through the University of California in San Diego.     

Kathi Smith

Kathi Smith

Kathi Smith grew up in Malta Bend, Missouri. She graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy. She later went on to earn her Master of Business Administration degree, summa cum laude, from Northwest MO State University. Kathi spent the first part of her career working in governmental accounting, first as an accountant for the state of Missouri, Department of Mental Health, then as a compliance auditor for the Missouri Gaming Commission. In the following decade, Kathi worked in education, spending time as a mathematical item writer for CTB McGraw Hill, business, and marketing classes and leading the DECA chapter. Kathi is currently the project accountant for CSC Construction Group. Kathi is married to Brian Smith, and they are the parents of 5 grown children. Kathi is a current member of the Sedalia Main Street Board of Directors, and a board member for Northside Organization Reinventing the Honor (N.O.R.T.H.). She and Brian are members of Burns Chapel Free Will Baptist Church.