Alumni Board 2020-21

The Avila University Alumni Board cultivates an ongoing connection between alumni, current students and stakeholders—who build traditions, create opportunities and serve the community. The board is made up of members from Avila’s Alumni Association with the responsibility to advise the University on alumni-related policies and activities.

If you would like more information on the board or joining one of the committees, please contact the Alumni Office at 816.501.3780 or alumni@avila.edu. 

Current Board Members

Headshot of Brett Beneke

BRETt BENEKE ’14, ’20

  • CT, English Education; MA, Education
  • Raymore-Peculiar School District, English Teacher
  • Year Joined: 2020
  • Committee: Awards & Recognition
Headshot of Casey Leonard

Leonard Casey Jr. ’07

  • BSB, Marketing
  • Spire, Director, Pipeline Management
  • Year Joined: 2016
  • Committee: Athletics
Headshot of Shawnalee Criss Petty

Shawnalee Criss Petty ’14

  • BA, Psychology
  • University of Kansas School of Medicine, Evaluation & Information Resource Specialist
  • Year Joined: 2020
  • Committee: Events & Activities
Headshot of Emilee Hill

Emilee Hill ’12 ’16

  • President
  • BA, Communication; MBA
  • JE Dunn Construction, Marketing Specialist
  • Year Joined: 2016
  • Committee: Executive
Headshot of Laura Hoffman

Laura Hoffman ’93

  • BS, Computer Science/Math
  • Cerner Corporation, Integration Executive
  • Year Joined: 2019
  • Committee: Philanthropy
Headshot for Jennifer Lindsey

Jennifer Lindsey ’10, ’15

  • BA, Psychology & Sociology, MS, Organizational Development Psychology
  • MRIGlobal, HR Generalist & Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Lead
  • Year Joined: 2019
  • Committee: Professional Development
Headshot for Sheila Luehers

Sheila Luehrs ’89, ’19

  • BSN, Nursing; MBA
  • Cerner Corporation, Senior Regional Operations Manager
  • Year Joined: 2020
  • Committee: Awards & Recognition
Headshot for Sarah McKee

Sarah McKee ’02

  • BA, History
  • UMKC, Course Coordinator
  • Year Joined: 2020
  • Committee: Athletics
Headshot for Shawna Pena-Downing

Shawna Pena-Downing ’12

  • BFA, Theatre
  • Avila University
  • Year Joined: 2018
  • Committee: Events & Activities
Headshot for Andy Phillips

Andy Phillips ’06

  • BA, Political Science
  • H&R Block, Director – Agency & Industry Relations
  • Year Joined: 2019
  • Committee: Athletics
Headshot for Tonya Phillips

Tonya Phillips ’06, ’09

  • BSB, Marketing; MBA
  • Zerto, Enterprise Account Representative
  • Year Joined: 2019
  • Committee: Awards & Recognition
Headshot for Emilee Rehling

Emilee Rehling ’10

  • BA, Communication
  • Intouch Solutions, Resource Manager
  • Year Joined: 2017
  • Committee: Events & Activities
Headshot for Chadd Rivera

Chadd Rivera ’08

  • BA, Communication
  • Cerner, Senior Client Accountable Executive
  • Year Joined: 2019
  • Committee: Philanthropy
Headshot for Erin Sheehy

Erin Sheehy ’17

  • Vice President for Strategy
  • BS, Biology
  • Kiewit, Civil Designer
  • Year Joined: 2019
  • Committee: Executive
Ben Walker Headshot

Ben Walker ’16, ’18

  • BA, Psychology; MBA
  • University of Kansas Health System, Talent Acquisition Consultant
  • Year Joined: 2019
  • Committee: Professional Development
Headshot for Scott White

Scott White ’85

  • Secretary
  • BS, Chemistry
  • Honeywell FM&T, Administrator Principal
  • Year Joined: 2017
  • Committee: Executive

Bailey Carr ’09, ’12

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