Staff Team | Rosedale Development Association

Erin Stryka

Executive Director

Erin became RDA’s Executive Director in August 2016. Erin started as an AmeriCorps member with RDA in 2011, and was also the Program Director for the Rosedale Healthy Kids program (RHK) from 2012 to 2016, overseeing the growth of the program from a grassroots community coalition to a regionally-recognized (and duplicated) model for creating sustainable community change. Under her leadership as Executive Director, RDA adopted a new strategic plan, which led the organization to grow from a team of 3 staff and 3 AmeriCorps members to a team of 6 FT staff and 4 AmeriCorps members, and doubled the overall organizational budget to accommodate program growth and expansion. This growth included completing the 9th year of the Rosedale Healthy Kids program and launching ARCH, while continuing to serve 600 kids annually in healthy programs. Erin leads several community committees and task forces advocating for policy and development that serves the needs of all Rosedalians, including the Rosedale Leadership Council and the Rosedale Master Plan Implementation Committee.

Erin serves on the Healthy Communities Wyandotte Policy Committee as Chair. She is involved in numerous advocacy and policy change initiatives related to public health and community development. In recent years, Erin graduated from the Healthy Lifestyles Leadership Academy, Wyandotte Leadership 2000, and Nonprofit Connect Executive Director Institute.

Erin’s favorite outdoor spot in Rosedale is the Rozarks Trails. Contact her at [email protected].

Alissa Workman

Development Director

Alissa joined RDA’s staff as the part-time Development Coordinator in January 2017, and also served as RDA’s Office Manager from 2013-2015, where she managed RDA’s accounting, planned programs like Summer Youth Employment and Feed-a-Family, and wrote and edited our print newsletter. In January 2018, Alissa transitioned to a full-time position as the Development Director, where she leads all of RDA’s fundraising efforts including grant writing and planning fundraising events such as the Rosedale Disc de Triomphe. In addition, she plans and oversees all of RDA’s community events.

Alissa received a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a master’s degree in Public Administration with an emphasis in Nonprofit Leadership, both from UMKC. She has a Professional Certificate in Nonprofit Fundraising from the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership, has completed Your Leadership Edge through the Kansas Leadership Center, and continues to grow in her career through community volunteerism and professional development.

Alissa’s favorite outdoor spot in Rosedale is Rosedale Park (or Whitmore Playground if her two boys are deciding!). Contact her at [email protected].

SamanthÉ burton-bosket

Program Director

Samanthe was born in Philadelphia and moved to Kansas City in 2013. She received her Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership with a concentration in Organizational Development from Central Penn College, with a Capstone project focusing on the ethical challenges of followership. She founded Samanthe Bosket Consulting , which focuses on helping small businesses with organizational sustainability and creating an organizational structure.

Samanthe spent 2018-2019 serving as an AmeriCorps member at RDA and coordinating youth sports, community gardens, and orchard stewardship programs. In 2019 she became the full-time Program Coordinator at RDA, overseeing program growth as RDA took over the Rainbow Summer Program and Rosedale Future Professionals. In Winter 2020, she was promoted to Program Director, where she oversees the ARCH Program at RDA, which includes Americorps, Rainbow Summer Program, Rosedale Future Professionals, RISE, Summer Youth Employment, community events, and more.

Samanthe and her puppy Urameshi love exploring all of Rosedale’s parks and greenspaces. Contact her at [email protected].

SARAH wAGGONER

OFFICE AND COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

Sarah joined RDA in the fall of 2019 after spending a year in Argentina studying Spanish. In December 2019, Sarah expanded her role at RDA to include Communications Coordinator. Her background is in social work, more specifically having worked with people experiencing homelessness and domestic violence, and advocating for housing first and affordable housing in the metro area. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Creighton University, and has completed UMKC’s Center for Neighborhood’s Community Leadership program.

Sarah is usually the first person to greet you in the office or on the phone! She manages our office space and takes care of our community communications, including our print and e-newsletter and social media accounts. Ella habla español y quiere trabajar contigo! Sarah is also a Wyandotte County native and is excited to be back in her own community.

Sarah loves spending time in her community garden plot and walking/biking through the neighborhood. Contact her at [email protected]

jUANISE oLIVER

ADULT PROGRAM AND VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR

Juanise joined RDA’s team in February 2021 as our first Adult Program and Volunteer Coordinator. She previously served as a classroom facilitator for the Rainbow Summer Program. Juanise has a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Mizzou, where she participated in Jumpstart, an Americorps program. She has 8 years experience working with underserved communities in the education field. Juanise is a member of the National Leadership Society at Penn Valley, and most recently a member of the Workforce Solutions Committee.

Juanise’s favorite outdoor spot in Rosedale is Fisher Park. Ella habla español. Contact her at [email protected].