Agency Contacts

Jennifer Hentges

Jennifer Hentges is the Director of Human Resources and Operational Excellence for The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA).

Jennifer has been with MDA since December of 2015. In her role with the Department she continuously works with all division to implement new and more efficient ways of work. She has implemented paperless processes, content management systems and online applicant systems, updated timekeeping systems just to name a few improvements she has made at MDA. She oversees the Departments strategic priorities and critical measures. In her role as the Director of Human Resources she oversees all functions of payroll, hiring & onboarding, coaching and disciplinary actions, internal communications, as well as policy development and implementation.

Jennifer has had the opportunity to work for multiple state agencies including Department of Social Services, Department of Revenue and Missouri Lottery. She has also worked in the non-profit sector as well as private industry. She earned her Bachelors of Administration with an emphasis in Accounting from Columbia College and a Masters in Business Administration from William Woods University. She completed The Missouri Way in the fall of 2018 her Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Leadership Course from The Ohio State University in the summer of 2019.

Ashley Woodruff

Ashley Woodruff started April 16, 2023 as the Operational Excellence and Human Resources Coordinator for the Department of Commerce and Insurance. Ashley is the Operational Excellence lead for the Department and also works in Human Resources supporting the Director’s Office, Insurance Divisions and Office of the Public Counsel. She began her career in state government in 2012 and has been with the Department of Commerce and Insurance since 2014, serving in multiple roles and various divisions within DCI.

Kendra Witthaus
Assistant to the Director for Operational Excellence

As the leader for Operational Excellence, Kendra oversees the department’s strategic and operational planning, customer experience and employee engagement, and continuous improvement efforts. She has been with the Department since 2019, bringing prior leadership, change management, and continuous improvement skills from over 25 years of healthcare sector experience. She is trained in Lean Six Sigma and has experience in utilizing the Malcolm Baldridge performance excellence criteria. Kendra holds a Bachelor of Health Science and a Master’s in Business Administration. In addition, Audrey Beres, Strategic & Operational Planning and Lauren Hildreth, Continuous Improvement serve as statewide and department Operational Excellence leaders.

David Edwards
Director of Research, Planning, & Process Improvement

As director I lead a team of professional researchers, planners, and quality assurance specialists. We support the Missouri Department of Corrections by generating data and conducting analysis that support data-driven decision making. Members of our team lead strategic planning functions, provide statistics for departmental activities, evaluate program performance, oversee research to further correctional knowledge and inform best practices, and foster continual improvement in services and products provided to the citizens of Missouri. I have 15 years’ experience in correctional research and planning across two state correctional systems. I have degrees in psychology, public policy, and planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Kayla Kueckelhan

Jake King
Continuous Improvement Coordinator

Jake King has served as the Continuous Improvement Coordinator at DESE since February of 2021. He leads efforts in dashboard development, consulting for various projects, and capacity training and talent development coordinator. He is adamant about the importance of education and is excited to work with DESE to ensure all Missourians are equipped for success. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Leadership, both from Hannibal-LaGrange University.

Brenna Davidson

Brenna Davidson has been the Operational Excellence Leader and Chief of the Office of Performance Management for Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) since December 2021. Brenna leads DHSS’ Lean Six Sigma, Strategic Planning, and Information Technology Advisory Committee teams while working to maintain Missouri’s Public Health Accreditation Board accredited status. Brenna has a passion for continuous improvement and change management, which she uses to collaborate with team members across the department to develop innovative initiatives and improve workplace culture. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Communication from Truman State University and a Lean Six Sigma green belt certification.

Veronica Gielazauskas

Colleen Dowd
Strategic Planner

As the Strategic Planner, Colleen manages the department’s strategic planning process. As part of this role, she coaches change agents, leads continuous improvement efforts, and supports leaders in their efforts to manage a fact-based, data-driven culture. She has been with the Department since 2019, bringing with her prior experience facilitating over 100 process improvement teams and 11 years’ experience utilizing the Malcolm Baldrige performance excellence criteria as she served as part of Missouri’s Quality Award process. Colleen has her Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Julia LePage
Director of OPEX for the Department of Mental Health (DMH)
Director of Community Supports for the Division of Developmental Disabilities

Julia LePage is the Director of OPEX for the Department of Mental Health (DMH) and Director of Community Supports for the Division of Developmental Disabilities. DMH OPEX focuses on defining goals, tracking progress, and communicating results. As a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) and data-based decision making champion, Julia prioritizes a systems approach to continuous improvement. She promotes feedback loops to ensure ongoing and effective communication ensuring implementation with fidelity.

Hope Moorhead
Operational Excellence Coordinator for the Department of Mental Health (DMH)

Hope Moorhead is the Operational Excellence Coordinator for the Department of Mental Health. With a master’s degree in statistics and economics and a former background as a data analyst, she loves helping drive data-based decision making by problem solving and training Tableau creators, as well as helping leaders define meaningful measures. She enjoys tracking DMH progress on strategic direction initiatives and analyzing the outcomes. She is also a positive work environment champion, supporting appreciation and culture initiatives throughout the department. DMH OpEx is all about improved communication, continuous improvement, data-based decisions, and a positive work environment.

Colette Weckenborg
Continuous Improvement and IT Administrator

As the Continuous Improvement and IT Administrator, Colette administers the information technology needs and projects of the agency, facilitates and leads continuous improvement efforts as well as consults with leadership on strategic priorities, metric dashboard development and opportunities for improvement. She joined the Department in 2007 serving in multiple roles from Environmental Specialist to Fiscal and Administrative Manager to her current role. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business from the University of Missouri – Columbia and is a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.

Erin Center
Operational Excellence Coordinator

Erin started her career with the State of Missouri in 2017. She has held data collection and analytics roles at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Department of Corrections. Erin transferred to the Office of the Director with the Department of Public Safety in 2023. Erin’s private sector work includes managing quality and continuous improvement programs in the packaging and distribution industry.

Cara Barrows

Cara currently serves as the Deputy Division Director of Administration and the Operational Excellence Leader at the Department of Revenue. As Division Director of Administration, she oversees Human Resources and Total Rewards, Financial Services, and General Services. She has worked for the State of Missouri for 14 years and has 45 years of work experience that includes the startup of five businesses. Cara is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Lincoln University and the author and illustrator of a children’s book.

Kayla Ueligger

Kayla Ueligger serves as Director of Operational Excellence for the Missouri Department of Social Services. She joined the Dept. in 2013 as a frontline worker serving children & families in extreme crises, trauma, and some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. She brings a passion for advocacy and elevating diverse perspectives. She has worked in administration, quality improvement, and project management in State government. Kayla is dedicated to and passionate about building leaders, leaving things better than she found it, and growth mindsets to improve our Missouri communities for our citizens to live safe, healthy and productive lives.

Kayla holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology & a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Missouri Western State University. She also holds a Master of Social Work degree from University of Kansas-City. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Missouri, and earned a Green Belt in Lean Six Sigma.