2026 IWPA Speaker Bios
Marisa Barnes | KCMO Police Department
Bridgette Cobbins
Bridgette Cobbins was appointed as Assistant County Administrator for the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, KS, in August of 2021. Her direct reports consist of the following departments: Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department; Kansas City, Kansas Police Department; Community Corrections; Municipal Court; Neighborhood Resource Center. Bridgette Cobbins is a lifelong Wyandotte County resident and a community asset. She has served the community as a public servant for nearly 30 years, ensuring citizens can access their government through important documents and public meetings.
Public Works
Wendy Doyle | United WE
During her 13-year tenure at United WE, Wendy has led the organization to invest in research, advocacy, and policy solutions that remove economic barriers for women. Under her leadership, United WE has conducted more than 38 original research studies, advanced over 67 policy actions, and equipped more than 5,500 women for leadership—
including supporting hundreds of women in securing civic appointments through the Appointments Project. Wendy champions policy reforms that advance equal pay, paid family leave, affordable child and elder care, and reduced occupational licensing barriers, translating data into practical, bipartisan solutions.
Maja Holmes | School of Public Affairs and Administration
Maja Holmes is the Director of the School of Public Affairs and Administration and Professor of Public Administration. She is dedicated to advancing public service education, engaged scholarship, and fostering inclusivity through research, teaching, and service.
Meg McCollister | Chief Operating Officer
Meg McCollister joined Midland as Chief Operating Officer in 2025. She has a strong leadership, advisory and advocacy background with two decades of experience serving non-profits, candidates for public office, as well as government agencies. She has focused her career on public health, environmental advocacy and administration, health care access for low-income and disadvantaged populations, and community education.
Jenny Mehmedovic | KU Public Management Center
Jenny Mehmedovic is Assistant Director of Consulting and Coaching Services in the KU Public Management Center, and founder of Create the Future Coaching & Consulting. Jenny has over 25 years of experience designing and facilitating strategic planning, leadership development, professional development, and team building for higher education, non-profit, and public sector leaders and their organizations. Jenny presents nationally on leadership, organizational change, organizational and professional development, effective teams, communication styles, conflict management, and working from your strengths.
Kristi Northcutt | Public Management Center
Kristi Northcutt joined the PMC as its Director in May 2025. Prior to coming to KU, she served as the City Administrator in Lindsborg, Kansas (2021-2025) and as the Senior Director of Community Relations in Anthem, Arizona (2014-2021). She has managed large teams of employees in city administration including public affairs, legislative affairs, business development, customer service, special events, conference center management, tourism, public safety, parks and recreation, and public works. In Arizona, she also served as the head of the world renown Anthem Veterans Memorial.
Kate Nygren | Public Management Center
Kate Nygren joined the Public Management Center in 2021, bringing a decade of research and university instruction in leadership, communication, writing, and literature. Kate’s career focus has been on helping people develop their skills, professionalization, and leadership potential and practice. She’s also built and collaborated with teams, helped lead organizational change, negotiated and instituted budget cuts, sought out new networks and mentors, collaborated on strategic plans, and much more. These experiences helped her shape her own professional identity and skill sets and provide valuable context in which to share and learn alongside PMC program participants. In her role, she manages the Heartland Certified Public Manager® Program and the Emerging Leaders Academy. Kate holds a doctorate in English literature from the University of Kansas. Kate and her husband Blake have two daughters, Zelma and Margot.
Noel Rasor | KU Public Management Center
Noel Rasor joined the Public Management Center in 2009 and has found it to be a perfect professional home due to the PMC’s focus on leadership and organizational development in the public sector. In her time with the PMC, Noel has led the Emerging Leaders Academy and the Heartland Certified Public Manager® Program (CPM). In her current role she develops research-based curriculum that serves across the Center’s programs and provides instruction and facilitation in customized training and consulting projects. She is passionate about creating engaging, practical learning experiences and building strong networks among public service leaders.
Sam Shults | City of Fulton
Sam Shults joined the City of Fulton, Missouri, as Assistant Director of Administration in 2018. In her role, she oversees Buildings and Grounds, Cemeteries, and Information Technology; manages liability claims; and supports budgeting, policy development, and organization-wide training initiatives. She holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from William Woods University, with research focused on leadership continuity and succession planning in small municipalities. She is currently enrolled in the Heartland Certified Public Manager Program.
Hannah Snakenberg | City of Olathe
Hannah is a Civil Engineer at the City of Olathe. She is a dedicated and highly organized individual with a strong sense of responsibility and the ability to work well under pressure. Enthusiastically pursuing civil engineering with special interests in land development, transportation infrastructure, and structural design.
