Melissa L. Ness, JD, MSW

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Melissa has successfully managed a large organization, including:

Implementing management and service systems for prevention, advocacy, and child welfare programs;
Developing and managing departmental budgets;
Selecting, managing, and coaching staff;
Establishing and monitoring productivity goals;
Leading cross-functional teams in a learning organization format; and
Providing leadership in Continuous Process Improvement initiatives.

She is a recognized expert in Kansas and the nation for:

Designing and implementing advocacy programs, strategic initiatives, management strategies and governance support for non-profit organizations, state agencies and collaboratives;
Establishing leadership teams and representing organizations;
Utilizing strong facilitation, organization, and executive coaching skills;
Knowing all aspects of the legislative process; and
Practical and academic understanding of designing and implementing public policy initiatives.

EXPERIENCE
Connections Unlimited, Inc. – December 2002 to present, President Kansas Children’s Service League – 1987-2002
Chief Operating Officer & Executive Vice President of Services and Advocacy

Reported directly to the Chief Executive Officer, responsible for managing key aspects of services and advocacy operations including prevention, advocacy and child welfare programs
Managed $47 million operating budget; supervised seven upper management staff
Led Continuous Process Improvement effort through use of cross-functional teams that successfully institutionalized management system, resulting in improved service and financial performance
Coordinated successful contract negotiations with the state department of Social and Rehabilitation Services for the renewal of $14 million foster care contract serving approximately 500 youth and $33 million adoption contract serving more than 1,600 children statewide
Managed planning process for services to establish goals and objectives for performance as part of agency strategic plan; facilitated agency leadership teams for strategic plan
Responsible for assuring compliance with appropriate accrediting and licensing bodies
Served as chief public policy spokesperson and coordinator for the agency

Director of Advocacy, Training & Legal, and General Counsel

Expanded advocacy program and integrated activity into larger agency system
Provided legal support and developed legal audit to determine role of attorneys in a non-profit setting
Provided oversight and assisted in the redesign of training and continuing education activity

Advocacy Coordinator

Designed and institutionalized successful advocacy program that was recognized by the Child Welfare League of America as premiere advocacy program
Developed legislative agenda; drafted and delivered legislative testimony
Designed and implemented issue campaigns and support material
Established alert networks

Kansas Legal Services 1987-89
Staff Attorney, Kansas Elder Law Project

Served as legal counsel for older citizens accessing services through Legal Aide
Managed disputes and drafted legal documents including wills and contracts

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

Legal Intern, City of Topeka Legal Department 1986-87
Executive Director, Kansas National Abortion Rights Action League 1982-84
Assistant Director, Kansas State Nurses’ Association 1981-82
Activity/Music Therapist, Mental Health Center of East Central Kansas 1976-79

EDUCATION

Washburn University School of Law - Juris Doctor 1987: American Jurisprudence Award, Top Paper; Kansas League of Municipalities Annual Writing contest, Honorable Mention
University of Kansas School of Social Welfare - Master of Social Welfare 1981: Outstanding Master Social Work Student; Dean’s Honor Roll
University of Kansas - Bachelor of Music Education in Music Therapy 1976: Dean’s Honor Roll

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND CERTIFICATIONS

Licensed to practice law in the state of Kansas (since 1987)
Core Mediation Training (2002)
Human Rights Workshop: the Democracy Collaborative – University of Maryland and the Advocacy Institute, Washington, D.C. (2002)
Co-Authored “Child Advocacy Primer” through Child Welfare League of America (2001)
Kansas Health Foundation Leadership Fellows Program (1999)
Center for Creative Leadership (1999)
Advocacy Institute International Training Program, Washington, D.C. (1996)
Advocacy Institute Fellows Program, Washington, D.C. (1994)
Leadership Kansas Fellow (1991)
Board Source Training: Board Governance and Organization
Board Source Training: Managing Board Development

RECENT PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS

Appointed by Governor Kathleen Sebelius to Chair the Children’s Cabinet in 2003 to present
Leadership Kansas ( past chair)
University of Kansas School of Social Welfare Advisory Committee (past chair, current member)
Advocacy Institute Leadership for a Changing World (current)
Child Welfare League of America – Public Policy Committee Midwest (former chair)
Kansas Bankers Association workshop faculty
Kids Count, Kansas Action for Children (advisory committee)
Governor-elect Kathleen Sebelius’ BEST team on Public Safety; Foster Care Regulation





	Melissa L. Ness, JD, MSW PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY Melissa has successfully managed a large organization, including: Implementing management and service systems for prevention, advocacy, and child welfare programs; Developing and managing departmental budgets; Selecting, managing, and coaching staff; Establishing and monitoring productivity goals; Leading cross-functional teams in a learning organization format; and Providing leadership in Continuous Process Improvement initiatives. She is a recognized expert in Kansas and the nation for: Designing and implementing advocacy programs, strategic initiatives, management strategies and governance support for non-profit organizations, state agencies and collaboratives; Establishing leadership teams and representing organizations; Utilizing strong facilitation, organization, and executive coaching skills; Knowing all aspects of the legislative process; and Practical and academic understanding of designing and implementing public policy initiatives. EXPERIENCE Connections Unlimited, Inc. – December 2002 to present, President Kansas Children’s Service League – 1987-2002 Chief Operating Officer & Executive Vice President of Services and Advocacy Reported directly to the Chief Executive Officer, responsible for managing key aspects of services and advocacy operations including prevention, advocacy and child welfare programs Managed $47 million operating budget; supervised seven upper management staff Led Continuous Process Improvement effort through use of cross-functional teams that successfully institutionalized management system, resulting in improved service and financial performance Coordinated successful contract negotiations with the state department of Social and Rehabilitation Services for the renewal of $14 million foster care contract serving approximately 500 youth and $33 million adoption contract serving more than 1,600 children statewide Managed planning process for services to establish goals and objectives for performance as part of agency strategic plan; facilitated agency leadership teams for strategic plan Responsible for assuring compliance with appropriate accrediting and licensing bodies Served as chief public policy spokesperson and coordinator for the agency Director of Advocacy, Training & Legal, and General Counsel Expanded advocacy program and integrated activity into larger agency system Provided legal support and developed legal audit to determine role of attorneys in a non-profit setting Provided oversight and assisted in the redesign of training and continuing education activity Advocacy Coordinator Designed and institutionalized successful advocacy program that was recognized by the Child Welfare League of America as premiere advocacy program Developed legislative agenda; drafted and delivered legislative testimony Designed and implemented issue campaigns and support material Established alert networks Kansas Legal Services 1987-89 Staff Attorney, Kansas Elder Law Project Served as legal counsel for older citizens accessing services through Legal Aide Managed disputes and drafted legal documents including wills and contracts ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE Legal Intern, City of Topeka Legal Department 1986-87 Executive Director, Kansas National Abortion Rights Action League 1982-84 Assistant Director, Kansas State Nurses’ Association 1981-82 Activity/Music Therapist, Mental Health Center of East Central Kansas 1976-79 EDUCATION Washburn University School of Law - Juris Doctor 1987: American Jurisprudence Award, Top Paper; Kansas League of Municipalities Annual Writing contest, Honorable Mention University of Kansas School of Social Welfare - Master of Social Welfare 1981: Outstanding Master Social Work Student; Dean’s Honor Roll University of Kansas - Bachelor of Music Education in Music Therapy 1976: Dean’s Honor Roll PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND CERTIFICATIONS Licensed to practice law in the state of Kansas (since 1987) Core Mediation Training (2002) Human Rights Workshop: the Democracy Collaborative – University of Maryland and the Advocacy Institute, Washington, D.C. (2002) Co-Authored “Child Advocacy Primer” through Child Welfare League of America (2001) Kansas Health Foundation Leadership Fellows Program (1999) Center for Creative Leadership (1999) Advocacy Institute International Training Program, Washington, D.C. (1996) Advocacy Institute Fellows Program, Washington, D.C. (1994) Leadership Kansas Fellow (1991) Board Source Training: Board Governance and Organization Board Source Training: Managing Board Development RECENT PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS Appointed by Governor Kathleen Sebelius to Chair the Children’s Cabinet in 2003 to present Leadership Kansas ( past chair) University of Kansas School of Social Welfare Advisory Committee (past chair, current member) Advocacy Institute Leadership for a Changing World (current) Child Welfare League of America – Public Policy Committee Midwest (former chair) Kansas Bankers Association workshop faculty Kids Count, Kansas Action for Children (advisory committee) Governor-elect Kathleen Sebelius’ BEST team on Public Safety; Foster Care Regulation