THANK YOU to all our dancers as they prepare for the event! Below you will find bios for our volunteers. To vote for your favorite dancer, click on their name to be taken to the voting page, or alternatively click HERE. Thank you and good luck to everyone!
Ashley Smith
Ashley Smith, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist, entrepreneur, and self-proclaimed happiness quester. She earned her PhD from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and specializes in the treatment of anxiety disorders. She has worked at a Children’s Hospital, an anxiety specialty center, and now in private practice. In addition to clinical work, she provides trainings and workshops, publishes writings, and maintains active involvement in the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.
Ashley is also open about living - and learning to thrive - with a visual impairment. She has a rare retinal disease that makes her legally, and increasingly, blind. Despite vision loss, she has actively carved out a life full of strong connections, high ambitions, and exciting adventures.
The combination of her professional expertise and personal experiences put Ashley in a unique position to educate and inspire, and she is passionate about helping others live vibrant, happy lives. This passion has fueled efforts to help more people and in novel ways, ultimately leading to the creation of Peak Mind: The Center for Psychological strength, which she co-founded in 2019.
Ashley is partnered by Jim MacAuley
Ashley is also open about living - and learning to thrive - with a visual impairment. She has a rare retinal disease that makes her legally, and increasingly, blind. Despite vision loss, she has actively carved out a life full of strong connections, high ambitions, and exciting adventures.
The combination of her professional expertise and personal experiences put Ashley in a unique position to educate and inspire, and she is passionate about helping others live vibrant, happy lives. This passion has fueled efforts to help more people and in novel ways, ultimately leading to the creation of Peak Mind: The Center for Psychological strength, which she co-founded in 2019.
Ashley is partnered by Jim MacAuley
THiago Santos
Thiago Santos, USPTA Elite Is a world ranked tennis professional and is Assistant director of Adult Tennis at Genesis Health Club in Overland Park. He is currently the National Director of Cardio Tennis. He is the Cardio Tennis ( TM) Global Trainer for USTA and is an advisory staff for Wilson Tennis.
Thiago had the opportunity to play college tennis at Wichita State University, in which he eventually graduated with a degree in International Business and Management. He had a successful college tennis career becoming the 7thwinningest tennis player in Wichita State tennis history. In 2019, in a formal reception,Thiago Santos was recognized as USTA Missouri Valley Adult Player of the Year. #6XGoldBallChampion.
Thiago is from Brazil. He loves to dance, playing golf and travel. He still likes to compete in tennis.
One of the most important aspects in his life is the feeling of continuing to learn and progressing in life, both professionally and personally. Thiago constantly seeks new challenges and adventures to keep his learning new skills as well as bettering himself. As a passionate for growing the game of tennis, Thiago will continue to focus on growing in the tennis industry and continue to share his love for the game and passion to grow the sport.
Thiago had the opportunity to play college tennis at Wichita State University, in which he eventually graduated with a degree in International Business and Management. He had a successful college tennis career becoming the 7thwinningest tennis player in Wichita State tennis history. In 2019, in a formal reception,Thiago Santos was recognized as USTA Missouri Valley Adult Player of the Year. #6XGoldBallChampion.
Thiago is from Brazil. He loves to dance, playing golf and travel. He still likes to compete in tennis.
One of the most important aspects in his life is the feeling of continuing to learn and progressing in life, both professionally and personally. Thiago constantly seeks new challenges and adventures to keep his learning new skills as well as bettering himself. As a passionate for growing the game of tennis, Thiago will continue to focus on growing in the tennis industry and continue to share his love for the game and passion to grow the sport.
Bridget Suarez
Bridget Suarez is a Kansas native and Washburn University graduate with a BBA in Marketing. After college, Bridget moved to the Kansas City area to start her career and her family.
Bridget has been in the printing and print distribution industry for 20 plus years. The past 10 years in business development with Custom Color Corporation specializing in, and supporting national retail brands.
She and her husband Raphael have two college age sons; Sidney at the University of Missouri, and William at Central Missouri State University.
In her free time, Bridget enjoys volunteering, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. She also enjoys distance running and is training for her first marathon in San Diego, Spring of 2020.
Bridget and her husband currently reside in the South Plaza area.
Bridget has been in the printing and print distribution industry for 20 plus years. The past 10 years in business development with Custom Color Corporation specializing in, and supporting national retail brands.
She and her husband Raphael have two college age sons; Sidney at the University of Missouri, and William at Central Missouri State University.
In her free time, Bridget enjoys volunteering, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. She also enjoys distance running and is training for her first marathon in San Diego, Spring of 2020.
Bridget and her husband currently reside in the South Plaza area.
cyndi van Cleve
Cyndi grew up in a suburb of Chicago, IL and moved to Overland Park, KS in 1991. She has been employed as a Registered Client Associate with a financial services firm/team for the past 20 years where she acquired her Series 7 and 66 licenses.
Since her move to Kansas, she was offered a rewarding opportunity to join a Medical Missions Team to Guatemala and was given the responsibility of photographer (photos taken prior, during and after surgery). She has been actively involved in her neighborhood homes association. When she’s not working and spending time with her granddaughter her passion for gardening takes her to the tranquility of her backyard.
Cyndi has been married to her husband, Dan, for 32 years. Together their best times are spent with their children, spouse’s and two granddaughter’s, Addie and recently adopted, Apryl. She’s looking forward to trying out her dance moves to benefit Dancing with a Mission!
Since her move to Kansas, she was offered a rewarding opportunity to join a Medical Missions Team to Guatemala and was given the responsibility of photographer (photos taken prior, during and after surgery). She has been actively involved in her neighborhood homes association. When she’s not working and spending time with her granddaughter her passion for gardening takes her to the tranquility of her backyard.
Cyndi has been married to her husband, Dan, for 32 years. Together their best times are spent with their children, spouse’s and two granddaughter’s, Addie and recently adopted, Apryl. She’s looking forward to trying out her dance moves to benefit Dancing with a Mission!
marci gutheil
Marci and her family are thrilled to be part of the Kansas City community! She and her family recently moved to the area from West Texas. Marci has been a long time active volunteer with numerous charities and organizations. She won a volunteer recognition award in 2018 nominated by the Children’s Hospital in Lubbock where she volunteered, and was an active board member. Marci is a full time mom to her three beautiful children; Taylor, William, and Mickey. And a full time wife to her loving husband Jim who is on staff at Overland Park Regional Hospital. Marci is a social media influencer with her Instagram page @makinghouseahome. She is also a decorator, home stager, content creator, and avid guitar novice. Marci and her family will be appearing on a future episode of HGTV House Hunters! Marci is eager to give back and volunteer to the new city she and her family call home.
Jennifer owen
Jennifer Owen is the Artistic Director of Owen/Cox Dance Group, an ensemble she co-founded with composer Brad Cox in 2007. She has choreographed over fifty new works for Owen/Cox Dance Group, including two commissions by the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, and works commissioned by NWA Ballet Theatre, Island Moving Co. of Newport, RI, Kansas City Dance Festival, Kansas City Baroque Consortium, and Kansas City Chamber Orchestra. Owen was a prize winner of the 2006 Columbus Choreography Project, and the recipient of a 2000 Princess Grace Honorarium. Prior to founding Owen/Cox Dance Group, Owen enjoyed a 13-year international ballet career. After training with Pacific Northwest Ballet School, San Francisco Ballet School, School of American Ballet, and the Bolshoi Ballet Academy, she went on to dance with the Russian State Ballet, Moscow Renaissance Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Hong Kong Ballet, BalletMet, and was a guest artist with the National Ballet of Turkmenistan. She has performed principal roles in Giselle, Don Quixote, George Balanchine's Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux and Donizetti Variations, and the central pas de deux in Todd Bolender's Arena.
jake kearney
Jake Kearney grew up in Kansas City. After graduating from the University of Kansas he founded and eventually sold a land surveying business. Afterwards, Jake moved to Destin, FL to be a beach bum for two years. While there, he was appointed to the Destin Harbor and Waterways committee by the Destin City Council. After realizing how expensive doing nothing really was, Jake decided to move back to Kansas City where he quickly became one of the top mortgage lenders and experts in the market. For thirteen years he has expanded his mortgage expertise and is currently vice president of mortgage lending with Landmark National Bank.
Jake has previously served as President of the Kansas City Mortgage Bankers Association and has visited Washington DC and Capitol Hill to lobby for consumer advocacy.
Jake has one daughter, Finley whom he loves to watch play volleyball. For fun, Jake heads towards the heat and water. He loves boating, paddle boarding and really anything water related.
Jake is always up for a physical challenge and to expand his world. What could be better than combining these with this great cause!
Jake has previously served as President of the Kansas City Mortgage Bankers Association and has visited Washington DC and Capitol Hill to lobby for consumer advocacy.
Jake has one daughter, Finley whom he loves to watch play volleyball. For fun, Jake heads towards the heat and water. He loves boating, paddle boarding and really anything water related.
Jake is always up for a physical challenge and to expand his world. What could be better than combining these with this great cause!