The Board

Carrie Greenwood (she/her/hers) has a passion for promoting empowerment and leadership for ALL people, especially youth and women with disabilities. She expresses her passion through her work and volunteer activities. Carrie currently works for the Kansas Youth Empowerment Academy (KYEA) in Topeka, KS, which is a non-profit organization that works to educate, mentor, and support youth with disabilities in Kansas. She currently serves as the Executive Director, but served as Program Coordinator and Outreach Coordinator for 20 years prior to that. Carrie also serves as the President/CEO of Ms. Wheelchair Kansas, Inc. She currently serves as the Chairperson of the Association of Youth Leadership Forums (AYLF). Carrie has been a part of helping to plan Disability Caucuses in Kansas since 2005. Carrie holds an Associate of Applied Science degree in Design Technology from Washburn University. She is also a graduate of the Kansas Youth Leadership Forum, served as Ms. Wheelchair Kansas 2004, was a YWCA of Topeka Women of Excellence Award nominee in 2008 and 2024, was one of Topeka’s 2013 20 Under 40 Honorees, was awarded the Judy Hoit Legacy Award from the Ms. Wheelchair America organization, and was selected as an “Everything Woman” for KSNT News in 2024. In her free time, Carrie enjoys listening to music, volunteering at her church, reading a good fiction book, shopping, and spending time with friends and family.

Anthony Frischenmeyer (he/him/his) is an Employment Specialist with Prairie Independent Living Resource Center in Hutchinson, KS. Anthony enjoys being a member of his city Human Relations Commission where he is the Chair. Anthony enjoys working with all youth to help them learn that they can do anything they set their minds too. Anthony has an amazing fiancé named Gabby with whom he shares two amazing kids who are 18 and 15. He also enjoys doing art and reading, as well as getting in to “good trouble” through the multiple causes he advocates for. Anthony joined the Kansas Disability Caucus Board in 2021.

Macy Collins (she/her/hers) has been an Independent Living Specialist for the Resource Center for Independent Living since 2009. She is the chair of the Statewide Independent Living Plan Housing Workgroup and Employment First of Butler County. She is also part of the South-Central Employment First Summit planning committee. From 2009-2017, Macy was Vice-President of Butler Homeless Initiative and helped open the Emergency Shelter in El Dorado, KS. Macy was elected to the Kansas Disability Caucus Board in 2021.

Laura Denny (she/her/hers) joined the Kansas Disability Caucus Board in 2025. She has worked at LINK, Inc. (Living Independently in Northwest Kansas) since May 2012. She is a graduate of Fort Hays State University with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and in Psychology. Laura previously worked for Developmental Services of North West Kansas in the Reed Center teaching day classes. Laura started as an Independent Living Specialist (ILS). While still working as an ILS, she also is the Information and Referral Specialist, a Transition Living Specialist, and CEO Assistant. Laura has been on the board of Hays Christian Church for the last six years and enjoys Geocaching, babysitting her granddaughter, reading, and spending time with family.

Tamara Blackwell (she/her/hers) lives in Bel-Aire, Kansas. She is a wife, a mother, and the founder of Tammy’s Tots Home Daycare, which she established in 2010. She proudly serves as the First Lady of New Philadelphia COGIC, where she is dedicated to faith, community, and service. As a visually impaired woman living with muscular dystrophy, Tamara is a passionate advocate for the disability community. She is actively involved with several organizations, including the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), the United Spinal Association (USA), and the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. She previously held the title of Ms. Wheelchair Kansas 2024 and is currently honored to represent the disability community as Ms. Wheelchair America 2025. Tamara became involved with the Kansas Disability Caucus because she believes in the power of collective advocacy. Too often, accessibility and inclusion are treated as afterthoughts, and Tamara is committed to ensuring that people with disabilities have a strong voice in shaping policies that impact our lives. Through the Caucus, she hopes to contribute to meaningful discussions, promote systemic change, and help create a more inclusive Kansas for all.

Adam Burnett (he/him/his) joined the Kansas Disability Caucus Board in 2021. He is a graduate of the University of Kansas with a bachelor’s degree in Meteorology. It was at KU he was introduced to the Independent Living movement while working at the Research and Training Center on Independent Living as a NIDRR Scholar. Adam joined the Resource Center for Independent Living as a Peer Specialist in 2003 and is currently the Director of Core Services. He enjoys being involved in his community and presently serves as the President of the Osage City Chamber of Commerce and as a youth group leader at St. Patrick’s church. His previous public service experience includes serving as Mayor of his hometown prior to moving to Osage City.  Adam is a self-diagnosed “lawn nerd” who enjoys mowing, traveling, and playing the Paralympic sport of Boccia.

Described by many as passionate, determined, open minded, and “real”, Julia C. Connellis (she/her/hers) has dedicated 20+ years to motivating others in discovering both their individual and community power. A proud woman with visible and invisible disabilities, Julia values diversity, inclusion, volunteerism, and interdependence. Julia Connellis holds a bachelor’s degree from Washburn University and certification in nonprofit management, addictions counseling, and youth services. Upon college graduation, Julia was employed by the Resource Center for Independent living (RCIL) where she was a Peer Specialist. In 2005, Julia was part of a team who founded the Kansas Youth Empowerment Academy Inc. (KYEA) and began working full-time as the Director of Programs. In 2008, Julia moved into the Executive Director position and spent 15 years coaching the staff of KYEA, while learning alongside them. Julia has many years of experience on various committees and boards for disability organizations across the state of Kansas. Some of the organizations she has served include the Statewide Independent Living Council of Kansas (SILCK), Shawnee County Transition Council, and the Statewide Rehabilitation Council. She currently serves on the Ms. Wheelchair Kansas Event Committee, as well as the Kansas Disability Caucus Inc. as a board member. In 2025 Julia moved to Abilene, Kansas where she lives with her significant other. Julia enjoys music, concerts, reading, eating, and spending time with friends. Julia is a proud momma of Madonna, a toy poodle mix and a cat named Clarity.

Rex Ellebracht (he/him/his) has been an Independent Living Specialist for Independence Inc. in Lawrence, Kansas since August 2024. He is a double amputee, and an advocate for Limb Loss/Limb Difference. He is also involved in the Limb Loss Support group at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, and is a Peer Advocate for those recently facing limb loss. He was selected to be a board member of the Kansas Disability Caucus in January 2025. He has lived in Lawrence, Kansas for nearly 30 years, and is very familiar with the social service agencies in the state. Rex has determined to turn setbacks into comebacks! Rex has 3 grown daughters, living in Oklahoma and Lawrence, and one grandson who is 3 years old. He has a miniature schnauzer named Mahomie. He is very involved in his church, Lawrence Heights Christian Church, in Lawrence. He enjoys reading books and watching tv, and spending time with friends and family.