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.

A native of Demopolis, Alabama, she is an ordained elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Her undergraduate education includes degrees in 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.”  Black liberation theology centered in justice, community engagement and empowerment was the hallmark Dr. Gould’s ministry during the 10 years she served as a Senior Pastor in two congregations. Her role as a public theologian and pastor in the public square has helped to shape a culture of advocacy for faith communities in Missouri.  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. 

Dr. Gould has been on the front lines fighting for justice from Ferguson to DC. 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 in 2016 when the rules to regulate payday lending and small dollar loans were released. She continues to fight against predatory financial practices including payday lending and debt collection. She has testified in Congress regarding these issues. She is also a voter rights’ advocate, a mantle she inherited from her late mother, Carrie Jefferson. Dr. Gould is featured in the movie Rigged: The Voter Suppression Playbook.

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 has received many awards. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Rev. Antona Brent Smith

Associate Director of Programs, Administration and Communications

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 began her journey at Missouri Faith as the Executive Assistant to the Director. In 2020 after Dr. Gould had a catastrophic accident Rev. Antona served as the Acting Director.  After Dr. Gould’s return she was promoted to Associate Director.

She is Certified in the Order of Deacons of the United Methodist Church and currently serves in the Saint Louis county area.

Brittany Hughes

Columbia Organizer |Brittany@missourifaithvoices.org

Brittany Hughes is the regional organizer in the  Columbia 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.

Susan Schmalzbauer

Springfield Organizer | Susan@missourifaithvoices.org

Susan describes herself like this, “I am a wife, mother and community faith based organizer. Micah 6:8 calls me to do justice by putting my faith into action.” Susan recently responded to the nudging of the Spirit and accepted her call in to ministry. She is on the journey to become an Elder in the United Methodist Church. She is currently a first year seminarian

Rika Tyler

STL Organizer |Rika@missourifaithvoices.org

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 2020 graduate of the illustrious Harris-Stowe State University  with a B.S. in Political Science.

Rev. Kimberly A. Woodruff

Jefferson City Organizer | Kimberley@missourifaithvoices.org

Rev. Kimberley A. Woodruff is the Voter Program Lead and Community Organizer for the Jefferson City Chapter. 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.

Board Members

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

Rabbi Doug Alpert,  Congregation Kol Ami Kansas City

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

Rev. Tina Harris, United Methodist, Columbia

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

Maureen Dickmann, retired, Disciples of Christ, Columbia

Secretary-Anne Schneider, retired attorney, Jefferson City

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

Treasurer- 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

         Imam Dr. Shakir Hamoodi, Islamic Center, Columbia

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

Click here to get involved in our work.