about | Instructors

Expert Instructors

UMKC TalentLink enlists expert instructors that include UMKC faculty and leaders in their field. Our instructors provide insight, guidance, and resources to build practical skills in a wide range of subjects – Business Operations, Leadership, Sales, Data Science and Analytics, DEI, and more. Their in person and online courses are engaging, interactive, and designed to help you achieve your professional goals.

Annie Alexander

Improving Practice Management

Annie Alexander (RN, MBA, CMRM) is the CEO and co-Founder of CiBR Solutions. She has more than 10 years of experience in healthcare IT management and as a strategist in revenue cycle management.

Molly Weaver

Talent Acquisition

Molly Weaver is an innovative talent acquisition strategist with more than 20 years of experience helping organizations design and implement candidate-focused experiences that attract top talent. 

Erin Blocher

Business Communications

UMKC Bloch School business communication professor Erin Blocher has over 15 years of experience working with clients in the nonprofit, healthcare, and government fields.

Haley Prophet

Health and Wellness

Haley Prophet has nearly 20 years of experience in corporate well-being. She currently serves on the Healthy KC Workplace Wellness Action Team.

Dr. Brent Never

Data Science and Analytics

Brent Never (Ph.D., Indiana University) is an Associate Professor of Public Affairs at the Henry W. Bloch School of Management. 

Jeremy Gray

Leadership and Durable Skills

Jeremy Gray is the principal consultant at Noble Consulting. He leads a course on durable skills for UMKC TalentLink. 

Dr. Jin Yao

Data Science and Analytics

Dr. Jin Yao (Ph.D., University of Kansas) is a human service data analyst with the Johnson County Government. 

Warren Wandling

Business Operations and Leadership

Warren Wandling is a leadership coach, keynote speaker, and communication expert. He partners with leadership-driven companies and individuals to increase their productivity, clarify their purpose, and improve communication skills.

Sarah Wolters

Diversity Equity Inclusion

Sarah Wolters has been a qualifying administrator for the Intercultural Development Inventory since 2020 and has used that certification to work with teens, young adults, and professionals.

Grace Yasmine-Simmons

Health and Wellness

Grace Yasmine-Simmons is an advanced practice registered nurse with Vibrant Health Central Clinic. She also serves as faculty with the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Nursing and the School of Medicine.

Dr. Nathan Mauck

Finance

 Nathan Mauck, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Finance at the Henry W. Bloch School of Management at UMKC.

Jermaine Jamison

Diversity Equity Inclusion

Jermaine Jamison is  SHRM-KC Director of Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Belonging, the co-founder of Jamison Perry, a recruiting and staffing organization, and president of 3E, LLC, a provider of talent management consulting, DEI consulting, and organizational training and career coaching.

William Kay

Finance

William Kay is the CEO and owner of W. Kay & Associates, LLC. He specializes in assisting businesses to improve performance in the areas of strategic planning, finance and accounting, budgeting, project management, marketing, and sales.

Dr. Alex Francisco

Data Science and Analytics

Dr. Alex Francisco (PhD, University of Missouri–Kansas City) is the senior population health scientist at the Kansas City Health Department.

Ron House

Data Science and Analytics, Tableau

Ron House is a GIS business intelligence leader with over 20 years of experience leveraging data for telecommunications and commercial real estate.

Christel Gollnick

Intergenerational Communications

Christel Gollnick, MSOL, is the founder of Roots & Rounds, a nonprofit focused on improving outcomes through more respectful and inclusive communication across different age groups.

Daniel Maenle

Data Science and Analytics, SQL

Daniel Maenle  is currently President of the Kansas City SQL Servers User Group and is an active speaker/participant of SQL Saturdays. 

Travis Wentworth

Cybersecurity

Dr. Travis Wentworth, is a full time cybersecurity instructor and consultant.  He has worked in the fields of engineering, computer modeling, and cybersecurity for the last 15 years. 

Dr. Neal Wilson

Data Science and Analytics

Dr. Neal Wilson (Ph.D. UMKC) is the Senior Research Associate at the Center for Economic information and Special Faculty in the School of Critical Studies at the California Institute of the Arts.

Seth Kakuske

Business Operations, Product Strategy

Seth Kakuske is a product manager at Optimally with a passion for startups, innovation, and closing the client feedback loop. His 16 years of experience in the software industry includes working for both multinational organizations and startups.

Krista Shelton

Forensic Accounting and Fraud Investigation

Krista Shelton, CFE, is president of Focused Forensic Solutions, a forensic accounting and fraud investigation firm.

Jared Steinshouer

Business Operations, Data-driven Decision Making

Optimally founder Jared Steinshouer is passionate about helping people and companies utilize data to grow their careers and companies. He built his career by creating data-driven and experiment-friendly cultures.

Professional Development Instructors Wanted

Are you an experienced contract instructor or trainer with subject matter expertise? You may be able to help UMKC TalentLink meet growing demand for our professional development training.

UMKC TalentLink specializes in non-degree professional development and training for individuals and Kansas City’s employers.

Contact UMKC TalentLink via the form below. We will respond when a qualified prospective contract instructor’s skills, background, and requirements fits our needs.