THANK YOU LOU ANN KIBBEE!

PREVIOUS BOARD CHAIR GIVES 20+ YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE KANSAS DISABILITY CAUCUS!

The Kansas Disability Caucus has been around for 37 years and has made a tremendous impact on people in our state and on advocacy for the Kansas disability community. The Caucus has had various leaders at the helm over the years, and we would like to recognize one of the most dedicated. Lou Ann Kibbee has been involved with Caucus planning since 2003 and served as the Caucus Chairperson for the last 8 years. Lou Ann has served her limit of terms and ended her time on the Caucus Board at the end of 2024. We wanted to take the chance to thank her so much for helping make the Caucus what it is today!

Lou Ann was involved with the Kansas Disability Caucus long before it was an actual non-profit organization in our state. She served on the Planning Committee for many years and helped put together approximately 9 Caucus events. In 2017, when Shelia Nelson-Stout stepped down as the Chair of the Caucus, Lou Ann was selected for this role. That year, she also led the effort to transition the Caucus into an organization and build an actual board of directors. She then served as the Chairperson for 8 years.

Lou Ann has always had a passion for the Caucus. She has worked to ensure that the Caucus remains in our state and that it serves as a tool for hearing the voices of all Kansans with disabilities to further the advocacy agenda in our state. Lou Ann has seen the Caucus through its ups and downs; from challenging times to very successful times. As the Chairperson, she committed MANY hours to making the Caucus a success, all while staying committed to her many other duties as an advocate in our state and beyond. Lou Ann has put so much hard work and heart into the Caucus, and, on behalf of the Caucus Board and all Kansans with disabilities, we want to truly thank her for her dedication! Thank you, Lou Ann, for your commitment, example, hard work, and leadership over the last 20+ years!

While Lou Ann is no longer on the Board, we have no doubt that her future involvement at the Caucus will remain, and we look forward to it! The Kansas Disability Caucus Board is excited about this next phase for the organization. We are so grateful for all of the leaders who have built and sustained the Caucus over the years. Your example and passion inspires us to be fully committed to the future of the Caucus. While we now have new leadership, the purpose, heart, history, and passion for this organization is steadfast and solid. It is because of leaders like Lou Ann that we are able to move the Caucus into the future as strong as ever! We have some exciting plans in the works and look forward to a very successful Caucus in 2026!

The Kansas Disability Caucus, Inc. ’25 Board of Directors