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Leadership
 Adelaide
Schaeffer
Founder and Executive Director
Adelaide Schaeffer received her undergraduate degree in journalism with an
emphasis in marketing at the University of Arkansas. Schaeffer did post
graduate studies in theology and public life at Indiana University and Notre
Dame. She completed a Masters Theological Studies degree at Emory University
in Atlanta with an interest in the intersection of faith and public life.
After Emory, Adelaide completed a Masters of Education from Boston College
with an emphasis in education and spiritual formation. She attended Harvard
University in 2001 as a Resident Graduate where she became deeply engaged in
the area of community organizing at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.
It was during her first tenure at Harvard that Schaeffer learned first-hand
the challenges youth face in communities throughout America. She did both
research and community organizing work in Dorchester, Massachusetts, one of
the more challenging yet promising communities in America where innovative
community leaders work closely with gang leaders to provide healing and hope
to a community scarred by violence and gang activities.
Schaeffer received a Masters of Public
Administration degree from the Harvard University Kennedy School of
Government at Harvard in 2009. During her tenure at the Harvard Kennedy
School of Government, she came to appreciate the power and potential of
social entrepreneurship. While many conversations focus on the power of
public—private partnerships (government-corporate), Schaeffer believes that
the catalytic power to accelerate change resides in corporate-citizen
partnerships.
Over a period of five years, Schaeffer and her husband, Rick, opened their
home to twelve youth in need. They learned first-hand the numbers of youth
that needed positive, adult support and how this reflected a larger,
national issue.
Adelaide and her husband, Rick, have been
married for 27 years and reside in Fayetteville, Arkansas. They are proud
parents of Ben. Adelaide is an avid reader and runner.
 Cathy
Cooper
Chief Operations Officer
Cathy Cooper is the Chief Operations Officer of Champions for Kids®, a
national organization working to leverage MASSIVE Numbers of people to
Help Kids Finish Strong! Cooper oversees programs, operations, and
finances of Champions for Kids.
Cathy leads the strategic planning for CFK, including leading the
organization’s efforts to cultivate and build a national network of partners
and advocates to leverage their resources and influence to Help Kids Finish
Strong!
Prior to joining CFK, Cooper served a twenty year tenure, working in various
management and leadership positions with Tyson Foods, the world’s largest
poultry company. Cathy’s corporate experience in business processes,
management and training, as well as years of experience serving in numerous
capacities on nonprofit boards and executive committees are invaluable to
CFK.
Cathy’s passion to serve others has been met over the years by volunteering
for the Susan G. Komen Ozark Race for the Cure, Big Brothers & Big Sisters,
The Boys and Girls Club, The Heart Walk, Abbott Nutrition RazorFest and the
Troops Care packages. She has been highly active as a member of the Yvonne
Richardson Community Center Board of Directors since 2002.
Her involvement with sports management includes serving as general manager
of the Arkansas Stars Indoor Football League team during the 2006 season.
She provided travel arrangements and team appearances, and handled
promotions and game-day operations. She has served on the Tyson Softball
Tournament Board since 1998 and on the City of Fayetteville Softball Board
of Directors for eight years.
Cathy graduated from the Tyson Leadership College at Russellville, Arkansas
in November, 2004. Courses included; Values, Ethics, Communication,
Coaching, Problem Solving and Change.
A Fayetteville native, Cathy enjoys spending time with her family, league
bowling and traveling.
 Dr.
Fred Heismeyer
Chief Program Officer
Dr. Fred Heismeyer is the Chief Program Officer for Champions for Kids®, a
national organization working to leverage MASSIVE Numbers of people to
Help Kids Finish Strong! He is a member of the organization’s executive
team, along with Founder and Executive Director Adelaide Schaeffer, Chief
Operating Officer Cathy Cooper, Senior Strategic Advisor Julia Kivistik,
Chris Magness, Director of Marketing and Communications and Dale Wolf,
Director of Business Development.
Heismeyer oversees Champions for Kids’ Global Leadership Fellows Program,
The Global Leadership Conference and Global Leadership Forums and
Gatherings. With over 30 years experience in team and leadership training,
Dr. Heismeyer brings a broad background of experience to these programs.
Since starting his own business in 1994, he has worked with many types of
organizations including educational institutions and manufacturing and
service industries. Among his clients are Glad Manufacturing, Rockline
Industries, University of Arkansas, Wal-Mart/Sam’s Clubs, Tyson Foods,
University of Western Michigan, Bekaert, Up with People, Embassy Suites and
several banks and Chambers of Commerce. Dr. Heismeyer’s international
experience includes teaching in Shanghai and Shenzhen, China and
facilitating team and leadership training in Poland through the AVOCA/USAID
program.
In addition to his responsibilities with Champions for Kids, Dr. Heismeyer
is Adjunct Faculty with Webster University teaching in the M.B.A program and
Director of Education with Champions for Kids. Dr. Heismeyer has worked as a
university student affairs professional in a variety of capacities. He has
been affiliated with the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville and Monticello
campuses), Hampden-Sydney College, and University of Vermont. Professionally
active he is past president of the local American Society of Training and
Development chapter, was a board member of the Arkansas College Personnel
Association, and a former member of NASPA and ACPA.
Dr. Heismeyer is committed to community service and volunteerism and gives
his time to a number of organizations. He is a Past National President of
Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity. He served five years on the
Board of Governors of the Up with People International Alumni Association,
was a member of the Northwest Arkansas Critical Incident Stress Management
Team, past president of the Springdale Habitat for Humanity affiliate,
member of Rotary, active with Thrive Allen County and an Elder in his
Church. Dr. Heismeyer has been married to his wife, Joyce, for 25 years.
Joyce is the Chief Executive Officer of Allen County Hospital. Fred and
Joyce have provided foster care for children, enjoy traveling, and share a
love of dogs. Dr. Fred Heismeyer holds a doctorate degree from the
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, a master’s degree from Emporia State
University (Kansas) and a bachelor’s degree from West Virginia
University.ille, a master’s degree from Emporia State University (Kansas)
and a bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University.
 Chris
Magness
Director of Marketing and Communications
Chris Magness is the Director of Marketing and Communications of Champions
for Kids®, a national organization working to leverage MASSIVE Numbers of
people to Help Kids Finish Strong!
Magness is responsible for marketing and communications for Champions for
Kids. She coordinates Champions for Kids corporate partnerships and
cause-marketing programs. Magness advises CFK nonprofit partners on how to
make their cause and organization a valuable asset to corporations.
Magness brings experience as well as a creative, strategic, and personable
style to this pivotal role. Previously, she was the creative services
account executive for Compassion International, a nonprofit organization
that serves children in need. Prior to that, she worked for six years at
Give Kids The World, a resort for terminally ill children as the creative
director. There, she participated in marketing partnerships with corporate
sponsors such as American Airlines, Kmart, Walt Disney World, Universal
Studios, Procter & Gamble, Tide, NASCAR and Walmart.
Magness also planned and implemented creative programs for more than 300
young people per week as a youth director for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.
Prior to that role, she was the public relations director for Seattle
Christian Schools where she implemented a new branding and public relations
program.
Magness earned her B.A. in communications/advertising from Washington State
University while working in advertising for the college newspaper. Upon
graduation, she put her communication expertise to work at KMTT radio
station in Seattle, Washington. Chris volunteers in the toddler program at
church, sits on the MOPS steering team and attends BSF International. The
majority of her career has been working with or on behalf of children.
A Seattle native, Christine, her husband Jeff and son Bryton make their home
in Bella Vista, Arkansas. She enjoys time with family, reading, crafts and
water skiing.
 Dale
Wolf
Director of Business Development
Dale Wolf is the Director of the Global Leadership Initiative and Business
Development for Champions for Kids®, a national organization working to
leverage MASSIVE Numbers of people to Help Kids Finish Strong!
Wolf joined Champions for Kids in 2009 and serves as the Director of The
Global Leadership Initiative and Business Development. He oversees Champions
for Kids donor and foundation development, corporate partnerships and
cause-marketing programs. In addition, Wolf administrates the Global
Leadership Fellows Program and The Global Leadership Conference.
Bringing a zeal for program development to the CFK team as well as extensive
experience with non-profit organizations, Dale is as compassionate with the
people he serves as he is passionate about their causes and the impact of
their organizations.
Wolf has developed and administrated children’s programs in Springdale,
Arkansas for over 20 years. He founded and served as Executive Director of
KIDCARE for 10 years. KIDCARE provided child care to low-income working
families, and involved the children in community service and community
education activities. Dale has also directed programs for at-risk children
in the Springdale School District and served as children’s pastor within his
church community.
An Ohio native, Wolf graduated from Marlington High School in Alliance,
Ohio. He attended classes at Ohio State University and graduated from
Baptist Bible College, Springfield, Missouri with a Bachelor of Arts in
Church Education, Child Ministries.
Wolf lives in Bella Vista, Arkansas and enjoys art, historical architecture,
local history and hiking.
 Michelle
Reed
Managing Director: Accounting, Information Technology and Human Resources
Michelle Reed is the Managing Director of Champions for Kids®, a national
organization working to leverage MASSIVE Numbers of people to Help Kids
Finish Strong!
Reed oversees accounting, information technology and human resources
functions. She works with Champions for Kids’ staff to ensure that the
organization’s resources are put to their best use in our fight to ensure No
Child Alone and that we are careful stewards of the donations entrusted to
us.
Born in California, Reed grew up in Prairie Grove, Arkansas, where she
graduated from high school. She spent a year at the University of Arkansas
then earned an accounting diploma from Draughon Business College in
Springfield, Missouri.
For 18 years she worked for LATCO in Lincoln, Arkansas. At LATCO, Reed was
chief accountant where she developed and managed all of LATCO’S accounting
and finance operations. Additionally, Reed spearheaded LATCO’S Information
System by switching the company to its computer system. Reed was
instrumental in helping LATCO develop financial, technological and human
resources systems to support a successful multi-state corporation.
She and her husband, Mike, have two daughters, Morgan and Madison. They
spend countless hours supporting their daughters at school functions,
including athletic events. They live on a farm near Lincoln. Michelle has a
real estate license.
 Rick
Schaeffer
Community Relations and Communication
Rick Schaeffer serves as community relations director for Champions for
Kids®, a national organization working to leverage MASSIVE Numbers of people
to Help Kids Finish Strong!
While also serving as the communications director of the Springdale School
District, hosting a state-wide call in radio show and serving Razorback
Sports Properties as basketball and baseball color analyst and football game
day host on Arkansas radio broadcasts. Schaeffer assists Champions for Kids
with community relations and communications needs.
Schaeffer worked in the sports information office at the University of
Arkansas for 24 years, the first three as assistant and the final 21 as
director. He has been color analyst on Razorback basketball radio broadcasts
for 27 seasons and has served in the same capacity on Razorback baseball
radio broadcasts for seven years. He was radio football color analyst from
1990-99 and currently serves during the pre-game, halftime and post game of
the UA football broadcasts.
He is Randy Rainwater's co-host on Drive Time Sports, heard daily statewide
from 4-7 p.m. After leaving the UA athletic department, Schaeffer spent
three years with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes before beginning his
work with Champions for Kids. Schaeffer’s first book, The Game of My Life,
was published in August, 2005. His 2008 book, UA Football Vault, is a
history of the Razorback football program.
 Adren
Wilson
Senior Strategic Advisor: Global Leadership Training Team
Adren Wilson serves as a senior strategic advisor for Champions for Kids®, a
national organization working to leverage MASSIVE Numbers of people to
Help Kids Finish Strong!
Based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Adren advises and supports the Global
Leadership Training Programs. Wilson received his Masters of Public
Administration degree from the Harvard University Kennedy School of
Government and received Bachelor of Arts degrees in History and Political
Science from Louisiana State University. Wilson served as Assistant
Secretary with the Louisiana Department of Social Services from 2004 to
2008, appointed by Governor Blanco, reappointed by Governor Jindal, and
confirmed by the Louisiana Senate. He provided leadership for the Office of
Family Support (OFS OFS programs include child care assistance, food stamps,
kinship care assistance, support enforcement services, head start
collaboration project, disability determinations, TANF, and Solutions To
Poverty (STOP).
Before becoming a public servant, he served as the Head of Louisiana Field
Operations and Student Leadership Development for the Children’s Defense
Fund (CDF). In this capacity, he was responsible for mobilizing and linking
the citizenry of Louisiana and student leaders from across the South. From
1999-2002, he served as the National Director of Youth and Student
Leadership Development with CDF in Washington, D.C. In this capacity, he led
youth leadership development programs such as Freedom Schools, the Student
Leadership Network for Children (SLNC) and Advanced Service and Advocacy
Workshops. Under Wilson’s leadership, CDF has trained thousands of college
students representing Harvard, Yale, Morehouse, Spelman and countless other
institutions, at the former Alex Haley Farm in Clinton, TN.
In December 2001, Wilson was featured in Ebony Magazine. Each year, the
magazine names 30 of the best and brightest leaders in the country, who made
a contribution to society. In November 2006, the Baton Rouge Business Report
named Wilson as one of the top 40 leaders under 40 in the community.
 Julia
Hobbs Kivistik
Senior Strategic Advisor: Global Leadership Training Team
Together with Executive Director Adelaide Schaeffer and Director of
Marketing, Chris Magness, Julia Kivistik provides strategic council
regarding the general direction, long-term planning and strategy for
Champions for Kids, ® a national organization working to leverage MASSIVE
Numbers of people to Help Kids Finish Strong!
Kivistik is responsible for advising a long-term strategic plan to ensure
Champions for Kids success. Central to that plan is advising strategic
initiatives that build the organization’s fundraising capacity by increasing
its organizational profile among key influencers. Kivistik leverages her
diverse background in consumer products, branding, corporate communications,
nonprofit leadership and cause-related marketing as a consultant and speaker
on cause branding, cause marketing and corporate philanthropy trends. She
coaches nonprofit leaders on how to make their cause and organization a
valuable asset to corporations.
Prior to this, Kivistik joined Cone as Executive Vice President of Cause
Branding, working closely with companies and nonprofits to integrate values
and social issues into brand equity and organizational identity. Clients
Kivistik helped lead include Walmart, American Heart Association, American
Cancer Society, National Wildlife Federation and more. Before joining Cone,
Kivistik worked at Saatchi & Saatchi X as Senior Vice President of Human
Interest. At Saatchi, Kivistik was responsible for building a global human
interest team and corporate communications. Previously, as Vice President of
strategic marketing, account planning and shopper insights, Kivistik led
several companies in sustainable and strategic marketing campaigns for
clients including: Proctor and Gamble, Gerber, Leap Frog, Energizer,
Smucker’s, WalMart, SAM’s Club, General Mills, and Disney.
A pioneer in Cause Branding, Kivistik worked as a consultant with
corporations and non-profits to develop cause marketing programs and
branding campaigns for clients including Special Olympics, Safe Drinking
Water Trust, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America/Kmart Kids Race
Against Drugs, and the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Women.
Kivistik presently serves on the Boards of several nonprofits, including
Give Kids the World and the Executive Board of Directors for America’s
Charities. She has also served on the Harvard Women’s Leadership Board.
Julia and her husband live in upstate New York.
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