Gary G. Godsey, President and Chief Executive Officer
Gary G. Godsey served as president and chief executive officer of the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas (UWMD) for eleven years, (2000-June 2011) after a very successful career as president of United Way/Capital Area Austin, Texas. During Godsey's tenure in Dallas, he initiated a successful capital campaign to raise 5 million for a new office building, integrated a regional approach so the organization could impact four counties directly, and has transformed the organization to be more community focused rather than fundraising centered. In addition, he has realigned the Board of Directors structure so the policy-making body is more efficient and effective and he created a Chief Ethics Officer to serve on UWMD's Ethics and Audit Committee
Godsey's vision for United Way was to build a track record of successful, measurable results and long term solutions in the impact areas of Education, Income and Health - the building blocks of a good life - by working more collaboratively with other organizations and institutions in North Texas. Godsey believed this strategy was necessary to ensure every donor's gift to United Way was the most effective, leveraged philanthropic contribution they could make in their community.
Godsey was also an integral part of the United Way system on the state and national level. In May, 2009 he co-chaired the United Way of America Staff Leaders Conference. During his United Way tenure, Godsey served as a member of the United Way of America Membership Committee. In 2007 Godsey served as chair of United Way of America's National Professional Council. In 2006 he served as chair of the United Way of Texas board, the first United Way staff member to serve in this capacity. In Dallas, Gary also currently serves on the Business Leaders Council for Grant Thornton.
Godsey began his career with the United Way system in 1982 as executive director of the United Way in Johnson City, Tennessee. He relocated to Austin in 1992 from Anderson, South Carolina where he served as president and chief professional officer for Foothills United Way. Gary began his life-long career in the nonprofit sector when he was hired as executive director of the American Cancer Society, Middle Tennessee upon graduation from college. During Godsey's 32 year career, he has been responsible for raising more than 700 million dollars.
With his extensive knowledge of non-profit management, Godsey currently consults with numerous non-profit organizations around the country. He is also a contributing columnist for Smart Business Magazine, where he writes on leadership issues.
Gary earned a bachelor's degree in Health from Tennessee Tech University.
Gary can be reached at garyg@pkdcure.org or 816-931-2600, Ext. 100
Michelle Davis, Chief Development Officer
Michelle Davis brings extensive knowledge of the non-profit sector to her role at the PKD Foundation. Prior to working at the PKD Foundation, Davis served as Executive Director for Nonprofit Connect, a Kansas City-based membership organization providing education, resources and networking opportunities to nonprofits across the metropolitan region. During her seven-year tenure with Nonprofit Connect, Davis worked aggressively to reposition the agency locally through efforts which included significantly expanding the number and scope of educational seminars offered for nonprofit professionals and community volunteers. Davis built the Philanthropy Midwest Conference into the region's largest nonprofit industry conference, launched a capital campaign to grow the capacity of the organization and developed their signature fundraising event into one of Kansas City's top five luncheons.
Davis began her career in 1997 with the National Kidney Foundation, serving in national fundraising roles, culminating as Affiliate Development Director, providing fundraising consulting services to 51 local Affliliates throughout the country. During the final year of her four-year tenure with the organization, Davis served as the Affiliate Education Director, training local and national staff and volunteers on fundraising and nonprofit management.
Davis was named one of Ingram Magazine’s Top 40 under 40 in Kansas City in 2007 and was a member of the 2008 Class of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce's Centurions Leadership Program. She graduated cum laude from Missouri State University in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Communication.
Michelle Davis can be reached at michelled@pkdcure.org or 816-931-2600, Ext. 114
Ray Smith, CPA, MBA, Chief Financial Officer
Ray Smith began his tenure with the Foundation in 2005 and directs the Foundation’s finance, human resources, information systems, constituent database and general office management functions. He is also the staff liaison to the Financial Oversight Committee of the Board of Trustees.
Mr. Smith began his 20 year nonprofit career at the national headquarters of Camp Fire Boys and Girls in Kansas City, MO and worked for health-related nonprofits in Kansas City, KS, Charleston, WV, Daytona Beach, FL and Orlando, FL. He also worked as an auditor at KPMG LLP, the country’s largest audit, tax and advisory services firm. He serves on the board of directors and finance committee of Nonprofit Connect, a membership association that links the nonprofit community to education, resources and networking so organizations can more effectively achieve their missions.
Mr. Smith obtained his Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from the University of Missouri – Columbia and is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Missouri. He received his Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Missouri – Kansas City, graduating with honors and an emphasis in human resources management. His master’s coursework included nonprofit management electives at the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership.
Ray can be reached at rays@pkdcure.org or 816-931-2600, Ext. 140
Angela Connelly, Chief Marketing Officer
Angela Connelly has been a marketing communications leader for nearly 20 years, helping organizations reach business goals, engage audiences, and strengthen brand. Her most recent role was the Director of Communications for Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System (SCLHS). This 11-hospital system was based in Lenexa, Kan., until a recent relocation to Denver, Colo. She was responsible for managing corporate communications, branding, and overseeing their digital strategy. Connelly created the first strategic marketing communication plan for SCLHS. Implementation contributed to increased employee engagement and improved community perception. She also implemented a social media pilot that resulted in nearly 2,000 followers in the first year.
Before SCLHS Connelly worked for HCA Midwest, where she was responsible for marketing and communications for several hospitals, with corporate communications roles. She began her communications career providing public relations support for the Kansas City Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Connelly received her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Missouri-Columbia (MU), where she studied English and journalism. She received her MBA through the Bloch executive program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC). The MBA program focused on leadership, entrepreneurship, and international work. One project took her to Beijing and Shanghai where she met with non-profit groups to understand the state of health care in China.
Connelly volunteers as a board member for the International Association of Business Communicators, Kansas City Chapter (KC/IABC). In leading their social media efforts, followers were increased by 28 percent last year. She is also involved in UMKC alumni efforts.
Angela can be reached at angelac@pkdcure.org or 816-931-2600, Ext 212