Who We Are
KIFA Mission & Vision
Kansas Interfaith Action is a statewide, multi-faith issue-advocacy organization that “puts faith into action” by educating, engaging and advocating on behalf of people of faith and the public regarding critical social, economic, and climate justice issues. KIFA (pronounced “KEE–fa”) supporters are shaped by the values of our diverse faiths, which connect us to an age–old concern for justice, peace, and human dignity. Rooted in faith, we join hands across difference to work for moral public policy in Kansas.
As an organization dedicated to “bringing a moral voice to public policy in Kansas,” KIFA promotes, not simply short-term legislative priorities, but also a vision of a more just and humane society, where everyone has what they need to survive and thrive, and where human needs are human rights. That is, food, water, housing, healthcare (including reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare), electricity, education, and a stable climate should be available to everyone, regardless of race or economic status. Securing these public goods should be our priority, rather than cutting taxes for wealthy people and corporations.
KIFA is a 501(c)3 nonpartisan, non-profit organization registered with the IRS and the State of Kansas. KIFA is a state public policy office (SPPO) of the Central States Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and is a strategic partner of the Kansas-Oklahoma Conference of the United Church of Christ (UCC), the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas, and the Great Plains Conference of the United Methodist Church.
KIFA Board of Directors
Kansas Interfaith Action is governed by a board of directors of at least seven members. Members represent, as much as possible, the diversity of our state’s population, based on age, gender, race, lay and ordained, faith tradition, and the geographical regions of Kansas. Several members are nominated by our denominational partners.
Organizational affiliations are for identification purposes only.
Rev. Dr. Annie Ricker
Pastor, Berryton UMC & Shawnee UMC, Topeka
Chair
Rev. Jacob Poindexter
Pastor, Wichita United Church of Christ, Wichita
Vice Chair
Salihaa Khan
Shawnee
Secretary
Lynn Rogers
Wichita
Treasurer
Rev. Caela Simmons Wood
Pastor, First Congregational United Church of Christ, Manhattan
Rev. Daekyung Kim
Associate Pastor, Asbury United Methodist Church, Prairie Village
Ashley Hernandez
Organizing & Policy Coordinator, Sisters of Charity Office of Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation, Leavenworth
Elise Higgins
Lawrence
Rev. Noni Strand
Overland Park
Kimberly Weaver
Kansas City
KIFA Staff Team
Rabbi Moti Rieber
Executive Director • Email
Rabbi Moti Rieber has served as Executive Director of Kansas Interfaith Action and its predecessor organization, Kansas Interfaith Power & Light, since March of 2011. He is a graduate of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Wyncote, Pennsylvania. A life-long activist on peace, social justice, and environmental issues, Reb Moti brings a variety of pulpit, interfaith, and organizational experience to the work of Kansas Interfaith Action. Reb Moti and his wife, Suzy, have three adult children and they live in Overland Park.
Rev. Dr. Mandy Todd
Director of Engagement & Development • Email
Mandy is a Kansas native who grew up in Junction City, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from Bethany College in Lindsborg. She is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ and has over 20 years working in local congregations in Colorado and Kansas. Mandy has a Masters degree in Theological Studies from Iliff School of Theology in Denver, CO, and a Doctor of Ministry in Public Theology from Drew University in Madison, NJ, where her research focused on the intersection of social justice, spirituality, and the arts. Mandy currently lives in Lindsborg with her family, where she also serves as the Pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church, ELCA.
Sheri Ellwood
Rural Engagement Coordinator • Email
Sheri Ellwood covers a wide range of projects for Kansas Interfaith Action, including grant writing and leading KIFA's Climate Working Group, but her primary role is Rural Engagement Coordinator. Her passion for rural issues stems from living on a farm for the majority of her life. In addition to her work for KIFA, Sheri serves as Livestock Manager for her family’s farm. As Livestock Manager, she focuses on integrating sustainable change in a way which is accessible for other farmers. She is a former Lutheran pastor and holds a Master’s of Divinity from Luther Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Work from Kansas State University. She lives near Little River, Kansas with her husband, Scott. They have two wonderful adult children.
Tatyana Younger
Organizer • Email
Tatyana Younger is a dedicated educator and community activist with five years experience working in a Therapeutic Secondary Classroom. She helped organize the Personnel Association of Lawrence-Communications Workers of America Local 6400, a union of hourly staff workers in Lawrence Public Schools. Tatyana served as Vice-President for three years and Interim President for one year, organizing with her co-workers to reclaim their voice and power. Raised in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) and Baptist traditions, she believes in the power of community coming together, and she brings this vision to cities around Kansas. Tatyana spends much of her free time in Lawrence collaborating with organizations and groups that prioritize justice, mutual aid, creativity, and joy.
Program & Advocacy Associate • Email
Sagi Rudnick came to KIFA as an ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellow, and is now our Program and Administrative Associate. He brings 8+ years of experience fostering civic engagement in Kansas and Missouri. Sagi graduated with Honors from the University of Missouri - Kansas City in 2023 with Bachelor degrees in Political Science and Professional Communications, and a Minor in International Studies. Raised in the Jewish faith, he believes that the whole community is greater than the sum total of its individuals, and that every person is a whole world unto themselves. Sagi lives in the KC metro with his fiancee, Caitlin, and their four cats and two dogs.
Sagi Rudnick
Denominational Partnerships
KIFA is a state public policy office (SPPO) of the Central States Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and is a strategic partner of the Kansas-Oklahoma Conference of the United Church of Christ (UCC), the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas, and the Mercy & Justice Team of the Great Plains Conference of the United Methodist Church.
KIFA One Partners
Our KIFA One initiative is a way for communities of faith to make a public commitment to justice. These congregations can be found all over Kansas, and they strategically commit time, energy, and resources to KIFA’s vision of the beloved community throughout our state. These partnerships have expanded KIFA’s reach and strengthened our networks. Learn more about becoming a KIFA One partner here!
First Unitarian Universalist Church, Wichita
Manhattan Mennonite Church
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Lawrence
St. David’s Episcopal Church, Topeka
St. Andrew Christian Church, Olathe
Grace United Methodist Church of Winfield
First Congregational United Church of Christ, Manhattan
National Council of Jewish Women, KC Chapter
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Manhattan
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Lenexa
First Presbyterian Church, Lawrence
Overland Park Lutheran Church, Overland Park
Colonial Church in Prairie Village
Plymouth Congregational Church, Lawrence