Speakers

Gov. Michael L. Parson

57th Governor of Missouri

Governor Parson is a veteran who served six years in the U.S. Army. He served more than 22 years in law enforcement as the sheriff of Polk County. He also served in the Missouri House of Representatives from 2005-2011, in the Missouri Senate from 2011-2017, and as Lieutenant Governor in 2017-2018. He was sworn in as Missouri’s 57th Governor in 2018 and was reelected by a historic margin in 2020.

Governor Parson and First Lady Teresa live in Bolivar. Together they have two grown children and six grandchildren. He was raised on a farm in Hickory County and graduated from Wheatland High School in Wheatland, Missouri. He is a small business owner and a third generation farmer who currently owns and operates a cow and calf operation near their hometown of Bolivar. Governor Parson has a passion for sports, agriculture, Christ, and people.

Rebecca Welsh

Rebecca Neuenswander Welsh recalls hearing about the word “orphan” at the age of seven. She remembers the strong empathy she felt for children who didn’t have parents to care for them. Growing up, she felt a strong calling to serve children in need. After graduating from JCHS in 1997 she went on to study Communications at the University of Missouri and during her final year there, Rebecca became a World Champion Martial Artist. Soon after, Rebecca began to act upon her desires and served 6-month mission with Mercy Ships (medical missions), in Honduras. It was there that she met a homeless child named Daisy, and from that day forward she was committed to fighting for someone other than herself. There was such a desperate need and she wanted a better life for homeless and street children. At the age of 24 Rebecca started HALO, a non-profit organization that currently supports homeless and at-risk children all over the world and right in the heart of our state, Jefferson City.

In 2015, Rebecca suffered a life-threatening stroke that left her fighting for her own life. At that time, the doctors discovered a 2-inch hole in her heart which was repaired with open heart surgery 2 months later. It was the love for those she served in her life that kept her going. She said, “My purpose to help children in need has never been so clear. Fighting for others is my mission in life.”

Rebecca has received numerous awards for her work, including the Inspiration to Action Award alongside Oprah Winfrey. She has been featured in People Magazine, The Today Show, Variety Magazine, CBS Evening News, and many other national publications. Her work has been made into a short documentary, directed by Bryce Dallas Howard, as part of the Inspired by Women Campaign.

Rebecca is married to Eddie Welsh, a Kansas City native, and has two sons and daughter.

Sen. Travis Fitzwater

Travis Fitzwater is a husband, father and business professional who started his career in politics knocking on doors for local campaigns in mid-Missouri. Once then-Rep. Jeanie Riddle decided to run for the Senate, Travis ran for and won her House seat in 2014, serving in the chamber for eight years. Consequently, upon Sen. Riddle’s much-deserved retirement after a long career of public service as a teacher, House and Senate member in 2022, Travis ran for her Senate seat and won a close primary, subsequently going on to win the general election in November.

He has spent his life outside the Capitol serving God and community, working in college ministry, serving thousands in nonprofit management, investing in real estate and starting small companies while also administering his wife’s counseling business.

He graduated from Presbyterian College in South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in political science with an emphasis on international relations. Travis has also attained a master’s degree in Atlantic history and politics from the Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy at the University of Missouri.

He and his beautiful wife, Amy, and three daughters live in Holts Summit with their beloved dog. His wife is a licensed professional counselor committed to serving children and families in mid-Missouri. They homeschool their daughters who love ice skating, playing, reading, traveling, being outside and spending Friday nights over pizza and movies.

Leadership Panel

Youssef Abdou was born and raised in Egypt, and spent his teenage years in Turkey. In 2018, he moved to Canada to pursue further education from the University of British Columbia, graduating with a major in Business and a minor in Philosophy. He has a passion for a range of topics including philosophy, psychology, politics, and religion. Currently he lives in the Washington D.C. area where he is part of a 9-month fellowship program focused on leadership, faith, purpose, and relationships.

Natalia Chiang Breña, born in Lima, Peru, found her roots in a small community in the Amazon jungle. Her family and friends fueled her passion for learning and personal growth. When she was 17 she ventured to the US to pursue a better education - Natalia is a 2023 graduate with a degree from the University of South Carolina and majored in Political Science and minored in Law and Society. Her desire to learn as well as her love for connection and community has and continues to guide her choices - she is currently a NSL Post-Graduate Fellow in D.C.

David Johnson was born in Louisville, Kentucky. He graduated from Southern Methodist University University in 2023 with a B.S. in Economics with Finance Applications and a B.A. in Psychology, as well as a minor in Latin. He is currently a NSL postgraduate fellow and is spending the year diving deep into topics such as faith, servant leadership, and relationships.

Bailey Stephen was born and raised in Sydney, Australia. She graduated from the University of Sydney with a double degree in Politics and International Relations. She’s spent the past year traveling, learning about the power of relationships, and leaning into adventure, which led her here to the US to be a part of the Post Graduate Fellows program.

Sadie Williams is a 2023 graduate from the University of Kansas with degrees in Economics and English. Born and raised in a small town in south-central Kansas, community (both big and small) has played a central role in her life, from kindergarten to graduating from college!

Pat Joyce

Pat Joyce served as a judge in Jefferson City, Mo from 1995 until her retirement in 2020. During that time she handled all types of civil and criminal cases as well as numerous constitutional challenges. She established and served on the drug court which provided intensive structure for persons with substance use disorder to avoid incarceration and reclaim their lives. That court is celebrating 25 years of service. 

Prior to her service as a judge she was an assistant prosecuting attorney in Cole County for 12 years and prosecuted over 75 jury trials from speeding cases to death penalty cases in addition to countless judge tried cases. She began her career with Mid-Mo Legal Services in Jefferson City, Mo. She has served on numerous Supreme Court and Mo. Bar committees. She is a consultant to the National Association of Treatment Court Professionals.

 Judge Joyce is married to Deacon Dan Joyce and is a life long Catholic. They have five children and five grandchildren. She is from Cape Girardeau and a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University and St. Louis University School of Law.

Kyrell & Michaela Newell

Michaela and Kyrell Newell met at Drake University in 2014 where Kyrell received his Masters in accounting and finance and Michaela her Doctorate in pharmacy. The couple were married in 2017. Kyrell went on to receive his Masters in Theology from Fuller Seminary. In 2019, they moved to Jefferson City, Missouri for Michaela to start her career in healthcare advocacy at the Missouri Pharmacy Association. Kyrell began his ministry at the First United Methodist Church with youth and children.

In 2021, Michaela made a career change to be the Executive Director of St. Nicholas Academy, a faith-based, positive place of living and learning. St. Nicholas Academy is committed to providing a loving, safe, nurturing environment and home-like atmosphere where children are encouraged to grow and reach their fullest potential. Shortly after this career moved, Kyrell and Michaela moved into St. Nicholas Academy as Houseparents. Through their position at St. Nicholas Academy they have added five boys to their family, and in November had a beautiful baby girl.

Michaela enjoys talking about animals, particularly her three pet birds. Her favorite part of her job is going to sports activities and cooking with her kids. Kyrell enjoys playing basketball and listening to podcasts. Kyrell’s favorite part of his job is dominating his kids at all sports including base tag and basketball. Separately, they both decided to always say yes to what they believe God calls them to, no matter how hard it seems. Together, they have decided that their marriage’s main purpose is to be a part of bringing the goodness of God’s love, compassion, and redemption by serving their community with their gifts and skills.

David Johnson - Emcee

David was born in Louisville, Kentucky. He was raised in a family of four, with his mom, Lisa, his dad, Paul, and his sister, Casey. He graduated from Southern Methodist University University in 2023 with a B.S. in Economics with Finance Applications and a B.A. in Psychology, as well as a minor in Latin. He is currently a NSL postgraduate fellow and is spending the year diving deep into topics such as faith, servant leadership, and relationships.