TAMMY PARSONS
Co-Founder, Board President
THAD MCCULLOUGH
Co-Founder, Board Vice-President
Tammy and Thad's journey started together in 2004 when Thad joined her team at B-Vogue Salon & Gallery. Being inspired by their brand of choice, John Paul Mitchell Systems, they chose to make the world a better place! Their philanthropic efforts involved their local community of Independence, Missouri, The Englewood Arts District more specifically. B-Vogue Salon added "Gallery" in 2009 when the Arts District was established and used the Arts as a means to fund their fundraising efforts. In 2018 the demand to increase our outreach instigated the founding of the West iNd Connection.
Tammy resides in the arts district with her wife and partner of 29 years and their little nugget, a frenchie named WiNc! Thad lives in Independence with his husband and partner of 15 years and their menagerie of pets! We are all very proud Independence residents!
ROSEANN INZENGA, B.S.
Executive Board Treasurer
RoseAnn graduated from Rockhurst University earning aBachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting. She has worked in the field of accounting for over 40 years. Having helped with several of our fundraising events, RoseAnn is excited to be part of the Executive Board and Honored to co-chair the Animal Welfare Pillar Event. RoseAnn enjoys working in her garden and traveling the country with her wife, Tracy, whom she met in 2010 and tries to live by the motto “Positivity is greater negativity”. + > -
JENNIFER EDMONSON
Executive Board Secretary
“My first haircut since coming out as a trans woman was done by a board member of West iNd Connections and the first pride event I went to was hosted by West iNd Connections. And I’m a regular member of the support group it hosts. So, this organization is a big part of my lgbtq+ community. I have some experience with being a key organizer for a group/community. In college, I was a treasurer and led several committees for an activism club. At RSM, I helped organize the Power of Love Campaign, which is our charity season. I’m part of our people council. And I lead the Sustainability Committee and our pride group. Our pride group has hosted several events and Tammy even attended one. I also help moderate a local trans Discord (an online community hosting app). I feel like I would be a good fit for Secretary because for of my main job role involves note-taking, managing meetings for the lead, and data management. And those I serve give me good feedback about my skills with those tasks. I would love to use these skills to support my community.”
TIMOTHY A. DIAL-SCRUGGS, ED. S.
Board Member
2020-21 marks Tim’s 16th year in education. Currently, he is in his 6th year as a high school English teacher at Fort Osage High School in Eastern Independence. He is the faculty sponsor of the Gender & Sexuality Alliance at Fort, and he brings the board a connection to the educational community and an understanding of the wants and needs of the high school GSA clubs, among other things. Before moving to Fort, he taught English, Special Education, and In-School Suspension at William Chrisman High School. As a member of the board, Tim is excited to work in all four of the West iNd pillars and become more active as a LGBTQA+ representative within the Independence community. He and his husband Paul met in 2009 and were married in 2014. Paul is a 6th grade ELA teacher at Fire Prairie Upper Elementary. Together, they love to cook. are passionate theater lovers, have four cats (Tommy, Sweeney, Gypsy, and Charlie).
HELEN HURLEY
Board Member
Helen J. Hurley is a graduate of UMKC with a BA in Administration of Justice. She started her career with the State of Missouri in the Division of Youth Services as a Youth Specialist in 1985 and transferred to the Missouri Board of Probation and Parole in 1987. She held a variety of positions retired from State service in July 2016 as the Field Administrator for the Western Region. Ms. Hurley served on many committees during her tenure to include the Jackson County COMBAT Drug Court Steering Committee, Clay County, Platte County and Ray County Planning Committees and the Statewide Domestic Violence Task Force for Probation and Parole. She was the Vice President of Reentry Services for Heartland Center for Behavioral Change from July 2016 to August 2019 prior to taking a position as a Life Transformation Coach
with Connections to Success. Currently she is the Regional Program Director for the Kansas City Region. Ms. Hurley serves in the community as a volunteer in her spare time. She serves on the Board of West iNd Connection Inclusion Center. She is a Community Advisory Council member for the Health Forward Foundation Board and is Vice Chair for the Independence Human Relations Commission.
MINDY MEADOWS
Board Member
Hello neighbors, my name is Mindy. I am a lifelong resident of Independence Missouri. I am passionate about serving our community and have been volunteering since the age of 15. Recently I became certified with the State of Missouri as a Community Health Worker and am employed as a CHW with Saint Luke’s Health System. I am currently serving Eastern Jackson County communities. My journey with the WestiNd Connection started years ago when I would attend the annual fundraising event-Thadapalooza with my mother. In 2022, I joined WestiNd Connection as a volunteer of the Chair of Programs and Resources Committee which worked to create a valuable list of community resources that is now listed on our website. In 2023, I was invited to serve of the Board. I am an advocate for all community members and a proud ally to our LGBTQI+ community.
My greatest inspiration was my grandmother Doras Jean who worked as an outreach worker for Missouri Valley Human Resources, a community action agency. She was compassionate and dedicated to helping the homeless and the poor. In 1989 she went to Washington DC and rallied with thousands of others regarding the plight of the homeless in America. She received several awards, one of which in 1989 was the Bishop John Sullivan Award.
My husband Ash is my biggest supporter. We enjoy traveling, trying new restaurants, craft beers tastings and make it a priority to support local small businesses. We are parents to 2 grown college students, 3 teens & 2 dogs. My self-care routine includes practicing yoga, cooking, and spending quality time with my friends and family.
GOOD VIBES ONLY!
I am always humbled by the continued support that fuels this organization. Grateful for our connections in community partnerships as we work to bring GOOD; turning visions into realities. Thad and I are excited to introduce and welcome the West iNd Connection board; community leaders who are passionate and in alignment with our purpose as we work to create a safe community culture for all to live, work, play, and visit. Again, much gratitude for all your support; we truly are stronger together. “What Else is Possible…”
Tammy Parsons
