Board of Directors

OUR TEAM

Meet The Team Cleaning Up the Streets With Compassion

Katrina Gerber (Treasurer): Katrina is a graduate from Kansas State University with a degree in Architectural Engineering. Katrina worked at several companies before opening her own engineering firm in 2003, BGR Engineers, Inc. Katrina and her husband, Paul Gerber, have two grown children, Zach and Abby. For the last seven years, she has coached volleyball at Shawnee Mission Northwest High School.  Katrina was first introduced to Uplift, where she met the rest of the team forming Eden Village of Kansas City, through the Centurion Leadership program back in 2004. She firmly believes that we are called to do what we can to help those who are in need.  She feels so fortunate to be involved with an organization like Eden Village of Kansas City.

Brad Simpson(President): Brad grew up in Southwest Missouri and graduated from Missouri State University in Springfield MO with a BS, Operations Management. He met his wife of 42 years, Marilyn, in college while participating in a dynamic campus ministry program. Shortly after college, he and Marilyn spent 7 years working on campuses in ministry with a variety of local churches. Over the thirty years, he has spent his career in Sales and Finance with Canon Solutions North America. Brad joined the Kansas City Eden Village team in 2022 after reaching out to Linda Brown, a family friend, in Springfield where Eden Village began. He was inspired by the Brown’s and his wife’s sister-in-law who were involved in the development and mentorship program of the original Eden Village, leading to a desire to start an Eden Village in Kansas City. They were beyond excited to learn that an Eden Village was already being developed here and quickly joined forces with them. Coincidently, for several years, Brad and friends have prepared chili for Uplift with a group of close friends and found it humorous that the original six members of the board met through serving at Uplift. This Uplift “connection” further sealed his desire to join the Eden Village team. He loves being a part of this ministry that provides homes and hope to the homeless of Kansas City and so Kansas City can be a “city where no one sleeps outside.”

Kerry Poolman (Board Member): Kerry is a graduate of the University of Kansas. Kerry started her professional career as a sales associate for Hallmark Cards and transitioned into the real estate profession, spending the last 24 years running her own rental property business. She is a proud mom of two grown children, Paige and Charles. Happily married to Tim Poolman for 24 years, they enjoy spending time at their lake home, traveling and are heavily involved in their church, Grace Church of Overland Park. She has helped with large event planning for both the children’s department and the youth group. She began her involvement with the Uplift homeless organization in 2015. Her eyes were opened to the great need of people who are homeless. She loves that Eden Village of Kansas City provides for individuals who want a real opportunity to move out of their chronic situation.

Kevin & Cindy O’Dower (Kevin-Vice-President/Cindy-Secretary): Kevin and Cindy were both born and raised in the Kansas City area. They met at work over two decades ago and still enjoy careers at Zurich Insurance. They have two grown daughters, Erika and Morgan. Kevin and Cindy believe in being outward-focused, which is why much of their time outside of work and family is spent volunteering. In addition to ten years in youth ministry at their church, they have served with various organizations that support the homeless and underprivileged communities. When invited to tour Eden Village of Springfield, they got to see first hand the life change occurring there. It sparked a desire to join this team to build a village in Kansas City.

Hannah Sorensen (Board Member): I was born and raised in Olathe, Kansas, and have spent more than a decade helping individuals and families build the next chapter of their lives through real estate. Over the past five years, I’ve been passionate about serving alongside nonprofit organizations throughout Kansas City, and for more than a year I’ve had the privilege of volunteering with Eden Village. What began as volunteering quickly became a calling. I believe a home is far more than a place to live. It’s a foundation for hope, dignity, and belonging. I strive to live with the belief that our purpose is found in serving others and recognizing our shared humanity. It is an honor to serve on the Eden Village Board of Directors and help create opportunities for people to build lives rooted in community, purpose, and hope.

Phil Jorgenson (Board Member): Phil grew up in a rural town in Iowa, attended South Dakota State University, and received both his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Civil Engineering there. In college he met and married his college sweetheart, Darla. They have been married 34 years. Phil and Darla have three children, two girls and a boy, who are now on their own and living in various parts of the country. They also share Phil and Darla’s passion to help those less fortunate. Phil came to Eden Village via Uplift.org where he met Terry (TC), Kerry, and Katrina. Phil has been driving for Uplift for over 10 years now.

Derrick Loutsch(Board Member): Derrick grew up on a farm outside of LeMars, IA before attending the University of Northern Iowa and receiving a degree in Finance and Real Estate.  At the University of Northern Iowa, Derrick developed a lifelong passion for affordable / attainable housing.  In 2007, Derrick moved to Kansas City where he later met his wife, Nicolette.  Currently, Derrick and Nicolette reside in the Waldo neighborhood in Kansas City, MO with their 3 daughters (Stella, Jude, and Kieran). Derrick has over 20 years of banking / commercial real estate lending experience.  Currently, Derrick is a Relationship Manager with Enterprise Bank & Trust.  In 2024, Derrick graduated from the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Centurions program.  During his time in the Centurions program, Derrick led a task force on Housing in Kansas City.  Derrick continues to volunteer with several amazing local nonprofit organizations, and Derrick is excited to be a part of the change at Eden Village of Kansas City and the greater housing landscape of Kansas City

Lori Horton(Board Member): I serve as the Volunteer Coordinator for Eden Village, where I work mostly with groups who want to come volunteer, and I recently joined the Board of Directors. I first became involved with Eden Village because I was inspired by a small group of people who saw a need in our community and stepped up to help those who were most vulnerable. Giving back has always been important to me, and Eden Village is a place where that value really comes to life. I’ve stayed involved because I get to see firsthand the difference this organization makes in people’s lives. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that my time and efforts are part of something so meaningful and impactful—far more than I could ever do on my own.