New Chief Development Officer Joins Heartland
Elizabeth Keever, former Just Food Executive Director, joins Heartland’s leadership team today as Chief Development Officer.
This position was previously held by Julie Branstrom, who was given the role of CEO by Heartland’s board of directors in December 2021. Keever brings with her experience in marketing, fund development, grant writing and strategic partnerships.
“I cannot think of a better person to join Heartland in this important role than Elizabeth Keever. If you’ve lived in Lawrence for any length of time, you know what she’s been able to achieve during her tenure at Just Food,” said Julie Branstrom, Heartland CEO. “She will bring a fresh perspective and new ideas to us at a time when Heartland has and continues to experience tremendous growth.”
At Heartland, Keever will be leading fundraising efforts to increase access to quality health care for the people of Douglas county and surrounding areas. Programs and services that will benefit from her efforts include affordable medication options through River City Pharmacy, dental and medical outreach programs for children, nutrition education & Food as Medicine program, communicable disease prevention, mental health & primary care for at-risk groups, and much more.
Keever will also be instrumental in the success of this year’s Kansas Half-Marathon & 5K, which is set for Nov. 6, 2022. This annual fundraiser event helps offset costs and increase access to affordable health care services for those that are uninsured/underserved in Douglas County.
Keever graduated from the University of Kansas and has been an active member of the Lawrence community since 2005. The Lawrence Chamber of Commerce awarded Keever with the Don Volker Leadership Award. She graduated from Leadership Lawrence in 2015 and Leadership Kansas class of 2018. Keever has also served as Chair of the Live Well Douglas County Coalition, and as an executive committee member of the Douglas County K-State Research and Extension Board. She is currently Vice Chair of the Douglas County Food Policy Council.
