Brenda Sharpe has over 30 years of experience in the nonprofit sector and has been President and CEO of the REACH Healthcare Foundation since 2004. As the Foundation’s first CEO, she helped define the organization’s grantmaking priorities and processes and established an effective governance structure. Brenda’s extensive experience allows her to leverage her skills to strengthen the leadership and governance capacity of organizations, institutions, and systems to support resilient people and communities. Since 2005, REACH has awarded a total of $83.5M to bridge the health insurance coverage divide, close the health equity gap, and strengthen the region’s health and human services safety net.

Brenda’s unwavering commitment to the community is most evident in her tireless efforts to ensure all individuals have access to affordable and equitable healthcare services. This dedication has led her to take on key roles supporting Kansas Governor Laura Kelly’s efforts to expand Medicaid in that state, as well as support its implementation in Missouri. Brenda serves as an appointee to the Kansas State Board of Nursing, charged with assuring safe and competent practice by the state’s 70,000+ nurses and mental health practitioners. Over the course of her career, she has accepted numerous state and local appointments and served on national and local Boards, including Grantmakers in Health, MOSAIC Life Care, and the United Way.

Brenda’s recent appointment to the Kansas City Federal Reserve Community Development Advisory Council is a testament to her ongoing commitment to equitable growth and development opportunities for marginalized communities. In this role, she provides insights into the economic development challenges faced by low- to moderate-income communities. She also remains active in civic life, serving as a Trustee with both the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and the Johnson County Community College Foundation. In 2021, at the height of the pandemic, Brenda was appointed to the Johnson County, KS, Charter Commission, tasked with reviewing and making recommendations to voters on county government operations once a decade.

Brenda is most proud of her high-performing team of diverse professionals and thought leaders who provide best practice stewardship of the foundation’s approximately $150 million in assets. She credits this currently all-woman staff and a talented and passionate Board of Directors with making REACH a great place to work and knowing that their collective work makes a difference. Together, they are on a mission to create more just and equitable systems of healthcare for all people.