Executive Committee

Chair:
Mary Moorkamp, Schnuck Markets

Chair-Elect:
Jennifer Barth, Missouri Employers Mutual

Secretary:
Marie Carmichael, Missouri Development Finance Board

Treasurer:
Natalie Hawn, St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce, representing Buchanan County

Immediate Past Chair:
Mark Grimm, Gilmore & Bell PC 

Membership Chair:
Jim Curran, Curran Strategic Partnerships, representing Plumbers & Pipefitters Local Union No. 562

Member At-Large:
Warren Erdman, Canadian Pacific Kansas City

Member At-Large:
Mike DeBacker, Burns & McDonnell

Member At-Large:
Emily Romines, Spire

Member At-Large:
Max Buetow, Cox Health

Ex-Officio Member:
Michelle Hataway, Acting Director, Missouri DED

Becky Willard, Executive Director

Becky Willard has called Missouri home for most of her life, growing up in St. Joseph before spending time in Columbia, St. Louis, and now back to Columbia.

In 2006, Becky joined Pelopidas, LLC, a public affairs and media consulting company in St. Louis. While at Pelopidas she worked with clients ranging from local non-for-profits and state-level office seekers to national advocacy groups and corporations. She ultimately founded and led a division of that company called Coda Fundraising & Events before departing in 2015.

Becky served as Deputy Campaign Manager for US Senator Roy Blunt in his 2016 reelection, overseeing daily campaign operations as well as the finance program and $16 million budget in one of the most closely watched races in the country.

Most recently Becky has been an integral part of the team at Axiom Strategies, the largest Republican political consulting firm in the nation. While at Axiom Becky was able to work on national public affairs campaigns and also serve as the Finance Director of the Missouri House Republican Campaign Committee as well as the Missouri Finance Director for US Senator Roy Blunt.

Becky received a BA in Psychology and a Master of Public Affairs (MPA) from the University of Missouri-Columbia and was previously credentialed as a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE). She and her husband Aaron live in Columbia with their two daughters, Eliza and Leni. She serves on the UCP Heartland Board of Directors and the Advisory Council for the MU Delta Gamma Lectureship on Values and Ethics.

Annette Wallace, Event Manager

Annette (Touchette) Wallace (CMP / CGMP) is from Cahokia, IL. After graduating from high school, her family moved to a farm in mid-Missouri just outside Jefferson City, MO.  

Annette worked for the Department of Economic Development (DED) for almost 16 years, and the past 14 years as Event Planner. She was responsible for planning the Governor’s Conference on Economic Development and coordinating various events for DED.  

Prior to working for the state of Missouri, she served as executive director, program director, and event coordinator for various associations, including the Missouri Association of Life Underwriters, Missouri State Chiropractors Association, and Associated Industries of Missouri. Annette has 30 years of experience in event planning, including 16 years in association management. She earned the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) in 2009, the Certified Government Meeting Professional (CGMP) in 2018, and has a BS in Business Administration/Management from Columbia College, Columbia, MO.  

She has been a member of the Society of Government Meeting Professionals (SGMP) since 2006 and has served as President, Planner Director and Treasurer for the Missouri State Capital Chapter, and presently serves on the National Board as 1st Vice President. In addition, Annette was an active member of the Missouri Society of Association Executives for 16 years, and presently is an emeritus member.  

Annette and her husband, David, live at Lake of the Ozarks with their 3 dogs. They have 3 children and 5 grandchildren and enjoy camping, boating, or just relaxing at the Lake or the nearest beach.

Dawn Overbey, Director of Member Relations

Dawn joined the Hawthorn Foundation as a Program Associate in April of 2022. 

Dawn previously supported the Director’s Office for the Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) for 12 years as an Executive Assistant. She coordinated all scheduling requests for the Director and Deputy Director, responded to Sunshine Law requests, and was DED’s liaison with the Missouri Ethics Commission. She retired from the State of Missouri with 31 years of executive and administrative support to state-level senior executives with a focus on confidentiality, prioritization, organization, and efficiency.

Dawn lives in California, MO with her husband John. Her son, daughter-in-law, and grandsons live in Holts Summit. She is active with the International Association of Administrative Professionals, through which she earned her Certified Administrative Professional designation in November 2020.