Staff and Board

Reverend Dr. Cassandra Gould

Executive Director | cassandra@missourifaithvoices.org

The Reverend Dr. Cassandra Gould is a pastor and an activist whose ministry and community work is rooted in the biblical mandate for justice. She is the Executive Director of Missouri Faith Voices and the pastor of Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church in Jefferson City, MO. Add Something.

A native of Demopolis, Alabama, she is an ordained elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Her undergraduate work includes psychology and journalism.

Reverend Dr. Gould holds an M. Div from Eden Seminary and a Doctorate of Ministry from United Theological Seminary.

She lives out her D.Min project “Beyond The Walls: The Power of Prophetic Preaching.” Justice and community engagement is the hallmark of the ministry at Quinn Chapel. Dr. Gould’s role as a public theologian has helped to shape a culture of advocacy and justice for the church and the Jefferson City community.  Dr. Gould is a sought after preacher, teacher and prophetic voice. She is often quoted in the media as one who speaks truth to power regarding various injustices. As a pastor in the State Capitol she is a go to person for testimony against unjust legislation and in support of legislation designed to empower and improve the lives of people in her state and across the country.

She can be found on the front lines fighting for justice from Ferguson to the D.C. There are myriad of social justice issues that call her to put her faith on the line. Her advocacy for families caught in the debt trap caused by financial predation has garnered national attention. She was a panelist in the public hearing held by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau last year in which the rules to regulate payday lending and small dollar loans were released.

Her leadership initially as a board member and now as Executive Director has raised our visibility and grown our organization. Missouri Faith Voices is the only statewide faith based grassroots organization dedicated to racial equity in the State.

Dr. Gould also serves as the faith co-chair for the state wide Jobs With Justice Board and the Religious Affairs and Political Action Director of the Missouri State NAACP. She is the Social Action Chair for the Jefferson City Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Rika Tyler

STL Organizer 

A revolutionary in training, a mother and a student is what she is. Rika Tyler joins us with years of experience with grassroots organizing. Managing programs and communications and has a powerful vision for making change in her community. Rika Tyler is a graduating senior at the illustrious Harris-Stowe State University with a major in political science.

Susan Schmalzbauer

Springfield Organizer

I am a wife, mother and community faith based organizer. Micah 6:8 calls me to do justice by putting my faith into action.

Kissi-Ann Brown

Legislative Intern

My name is Kissi-Ann Brown, I am from Kingston, Jamaica. I am a graduating senior at Lincoln University.  I am pursuing a degree in  the field of Social Work and I am also an Intern at Missouri Faith Voices. One of the most important things that I’ve learned since I’ve been working with MFV is that if we stick together as a community, as a family and as a whole it will make a difference whether big or small.  Legislative Intern

Rev. Kimberly A. Woodruff

Jefferson City Organizer 

Rev. Kimberley A. Woodruff is a Voter Program Lead and a Community Organizer for Jefferson City, MO. She became engaged with Missouri Faith Voices as a volunteer and came on staff in January 2018. She is a justice seeker who leads by faith. Rev. Kimberley's work is grounded in love and has actively advocated for others and has been engaged with faith and social justice organizations since her early teens. Jefferson City Organizer

Brittany Hughes

Columbia Organizer

Brittany Hughes is the regional organizer for Columbia's chapter of Faith Voices. Originally from Aliceville, Alabama, Brittany spent most of her school age years between her beloved hometown and St. Louis Missouri. Her passion for this work is derived from her love of black folks and the desire to see the collective liberation of BIPOCs not only in America but globally. When she isn't working Brittany enjoys a good book, cooking, music, and grabbing drinks with friends.  Columbia Organizer

Rev. Antona Brent Smith

Executive Assistant

Rev. Antona Brent Smith describes herself as a deeply reflective muse who contemplates the world through the wonder of possibilities. She is a wife, mother, self-proclaimed literary minister who is never without a book, a handmade pen, and a moleskin. Rev. Antona earned her Master of Divinity from Eden Theological Seminary with an emphasis on Hebrew Bible poetry and prose from a Womanist perspective. She has an M.B.A. in marketing from the University of Iowa and after over two decades in brand and product marketing, took her love of stories and connections to advocate for educational opportunities and literary liberation. She is Certified in the Order of Deacons of the United Methodist Church and currently serves in the Saint Louis county area.

Board Members

President – Rev. Dr.  Rodney Williams, Pastor Swope Pkwy Disciples of Christ, Kansas City

Vice-President – Rev. Jim Bryan, retired, United Methodist, Columbia

Secretary – Rabbi Doug Alpert,  Congregation Kol Ami Kansas City

Treasurer – Rev. WT Edmonson, Asst. Pastor 2nd Baptist Church, Jefferson City

Rev. Mark Struckhoff, United Methodist, Springfield

Rev. Russell Ewell, Pastor Pitts Chapel United Methodist, Springfield

Maureen Dickmann, retired, Disciples of Christ, Columbia

Anne Schneider, retired attorney, Jefferson City

Rev. Larita Rice-Barnes, Pastor Empowerment of Grace, St. Louis

Rev. Darryl Commings, CPA, Pastor Bethel Christian Church, St. Louis

Michele Watley, communications strategist, Kansas City

Rev. Tina Harris, United Methodist, Director of the Office of Mercy, Service and Justice, Columbia

         Dr. Shakir Hamoodi, Islamic Center, Columbia

Rev. Dr. Bob Hill, Retired Disciples of Christ, Kansas City

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