Springfield Business Journal_2020-06-15

20 · SBJ.NET JUNE 15-21, 2020 A s development and grants man- ager at Ozarks Food Harvest Inc., Cassie Hanson is fighting hunger one grant at a time. She has to brainstorm ideas that don’t just satisfy funding requirements but also align with the strategic initiatives of Ozarks Food Harvest. With 10 years at the organization, Hanson has been a leader who takes advice from mentors and passes her knowledge to younger employees. Hanson was instrumental in raising roughly $5 million for Ozarks Food Har- vest’s Ending Hunger, Building Hope cap- ital campaign. The funds will more than double the current size of the O’Reilly Center for Hunger Relief. What is your proudest moment? My involvement in Ozarks Food Harvest’s $5 million capital campaign. I provided administrative support for major donor requests and prepared proposals to foun- dations and the state of Missouri. It was a busy and stressful time, but so rewarding.  What was your professional aha moment? Understanding the complexity and dif- ference between situational and genera- tional poverty. I’ve learned what keeps a family in a cycle of poverty and food insecurity. There are so many factors that work against them. It’s not as simple as handing them a box of food. What historical figure do you identify with most? Amelia Earhart. I always wanted to be as strong, independent and courageous as she was. —Karen Bliss, Contributing Writer A fter her son Hudson was diagnosed with Down syndrome, a heart condition and a gastrointesti- nal disease at birth, Rachel Heinz quickly learned how to be an advocate. She developed a strong desire to help oth- ers like him, and years later she discovered her calling for inclusive higher education. In 2016, Heinz began volunteering with faculty and staff at Missouri State Univer- sity to write grants and start crowdfund- ing campaigns, which resulted in raising over $150,000 to start Bear POWER – Promoting Opportunities for Work, Education and Resilience. The program for students with intellectual and devel- opmental disabilities launched in 2019. She wants to see it replicated across the country. “Knowing college is possible can change everything for an individual and their family,” she says. Heinz is achieving her own education goals by pursuing a master’s degree in interdisciplinary studies, special educa- tion and counseling. What was your first job? A receptionist at a hair salon. What is your proudest moment? My wed- ding day with my husband, Jordan, and the day I became a mom to all three of my kids, Hudson, Harper and Hadley.  What is your best productivity hack? Make lists and cross things off when you are done. Write down your goals and look at them often. Outsource and delegate. Sur- round yourself with positive people. What is your favorite hobby? Photography. —Christine Temple, Features Editor RACHEL HEINZ, 34 Director of Bear POWER, Missouri State University CASSIE HANSON, 34 Development and Grants Manager, Ozarks Food Harvest Inc. PEOPLE & PURPOSE SERVING SPRINGFIELD SINCE 1977 S TA R T E D L O C A L , S TAY E D L O C A L We are proud to serve and employ our local community for over 43 years and counting. From our Springfield showroom to our experienced installers, we pride ourselves on the people and foundation we have created and continue to grow. We strive to help other businesses succeed while being a trusted advisor to all our past, present and future clients. Thank you for choosing local. M O R E T H A N O F F I C E F U R N I T U R E Better workplace interiors starts with understanding what people need from their space. Furniture does not redefine your job or the tasks that work involves. But it can create a better place for you to work. Focused on real people doing real work in real buildings it’s time to align our needs with the settings around us. JESSICA ROSA