Megan Bania, Executive Director | (573) 634-2969, ext. 360 email
For Megan, the power of Community Action is how Missouri’s Community Action Agencies embody the spirit of hope for individuals, families, communities. Megan began her career in Community Action as a Case Manager for families receiving cash assistance and as a Community Organizer in Central Missouri. As Executive Director, Megan advocates and supports Missouri’s Network of Community Action Agencies through policy changes, training and technical assistance, and capacity building.
Megan is a licensed clinical social worker who has worked in micro and macro practice to create positive change for families and communities. She is a certified Results-Based Accountability Professional and believes data can be a tool to transform systems. Megan received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Missouri – Columbia and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Truman State University.
Megan’s Strengths: Achiever, Communication, Activator, Woo, Individualization
Cindy Bridges, Special Projects Manager | (573) 634-2969 ext. 340, email
Cindy comes to Missouri CAN with the knowledge that the Community Action movement is different and powerful in its ability to create opportunities and change. She began her career in Community Action in 2004 and has spent most of that time in workforce development in roles as a case manager, project coordinator, and program director. Ultimately, she has helped families to obtain the skills and financial recourses needed to leave poverty behind. As Special Project Manager, Cindy is responsible for oversight of the SkillUp Program Initiative, leads grants writing, and other special projects that come to Missouri CAN. Cindy holds a BAS in Business Administration from Southwest Baptist University.
Cindy’s Strengths: Harmony, Consistency, Input, Restorative, Relator
Mackenzie Duenkel, Executive Assistant | (573) 634-2969 ext. 370, email
Mackenzie brings more than eight years of experience in administrative roles to her position as the Executive Assistant at Missouri Community Action Network. With a strong commitment to organization, service, and supporting meaningful work, Mackenzie plays a vital role in keeping Missouri CAN running smoothly.
Born and raised in Jefferson City, Mackenzie is passionate about making a difference in the community she calls home. She believes deeply in the mission of Community Action and is proud to contribute to a team that advocates for change and opportunity across Missouri.
Outside of work, Mackenzie enjoys staying active and spending time outdoors. You can often find her playing pickleball or sand volleyball, hiking local trails, or planning her next travel adventure.
Mackenzie’s Strengths: Achiever, Strategic, Responsibility, Arranger, Belief
Carol Montie, CAPS Business Development Coordinator | (573) 634-2969 ext. 330, email
At the heart of Carol’s approach is a belief in creating value for shareholders and the unwavering commitment to making a positive impact. She received her BA in Business Administration and has dedicated her career to working with high-risk families who face a range of challenges. As Missouri CAN’s CAPS Business Development Coordinator, her focus is to help spread critical knowledge of poverty awareness in communities. She has cultivated a career marked by successful partnerships and innovative strategies. She is committed to empowering families, communities and society as a whole. Carol envisions a future of building stronger more resilient communities through Missouri CAN’s immersive eye-opening poverty simulation experiences.
Carol’s Strengths: Strategic, Significance, Responsibility, Achiever, Futuristic
Lauren Platz, Advocacy Coordinator | (573) 634-2969 ext. 380, email
Originally from Brashear, a small rural town in northeastern Missouri, Lauren developed an early passion for creating positive change and supporting communities with limited resources. As a high school freshman, she founded SHOUT (Students Helping Out), a student-led organization focused on community and school improvement projects such as town clean-ups, holiday service events, and park updates. These experiences taught her that meaningful change can begin anywhere and grows strongest when communities work together.
Lauren earned her associate degree from Moberly Area Community College before living and working in Yellowstone, Colorado, and Alaska, broadening her perspective on diverse communities. Upon returning to Missouri, she joined the Community Action Partnership of Northeast Missouri as a LIHEAP Processor and later earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology. She has since led advocacy initiatives, coordinated communications campaigns, and engaged with legislators to advance policies supporting low-income communities.
Lauren is committed to empowering Missouri’s Community Action agencies and fostering community, connection, and meaningful change.
Lauren’s Strengths: Empathy, Input, Developer, Connectedness, Belief
Jen Walker, Fiscal & Operations Manager | (573) 634-2969 ext. 350, email
Jen Walker began work as a consultant for the association in 2022 and transitioned to an employee in late 2023. She has become passionate about the causes that Community Action supports and is excited to continue assisting agencies working to help Missourians in poverty.
Jen has over ten years of experience working with small staff associations and non-profit organizations. As the co-founder of Axiom Solutions, an association management company, she was able to help numerous groups with planning events, developing and implementing policies, strategic planning, and fiscal operations. When not at work, you’ll likely find Jen cheering her daughters on at the softball field and actively utilizing her Amazon Prime membership.
Jen’s Strengths: Analytical, Strategic, Developer, Relator, Ideation