Hi, I’m
Kari Rinker
Wichita,KS
Overview
16
years of professional experience
Work History
American Heart Association
Government Relations Director
08.2019 - Current
Job overview
- Lead and direct local and state advocacy campaigns in Kansas, focusing on policy development, budget management, and stakeholder engagement
- Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement advocacy strategies across multiple campaigns
- Analyze, draft, and advocate for health-related policies
- Manage contract lobbyists, including vetting and hiring processes
- Provide expert advice and support to community groups, lawmakers, and staff
- Establish and maintain strategic relationships with key decision-makers
- Coordinate cross-departmental efforts, integrating marketing, communications, and grassroots initiatives
- Accomplishments:
- Led successful passage of school and athletic cardiac emergency response plan legislation
- Spearheaded a tobacco control and prevention campaign, resulting in the enactment of four ordinances and securing a $1 million state appropriation, doubling previous funding
- Successfully advocated for Medicaid coverage of self-measured blood pressure devices and physician codes
- Secured a $5 million appropriation for a state medical expense relief fund benefiting essential workers
- Extended postpartum Medicaid coverage.
National Multiple Sclerosis, MS, Advocacy
Senior Manager
04.2012 - 08.2019
Job overview
- Directed advocacy campaigns across Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma, with a focus on policy analysis, grant management, and federal campaign support
- Key Responsibilities:
- Managed state advocacy campaigns, including grant writing and reporting
- Drafted and advocated for policies to support individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
- Built and maintained relationships with legislators, medical professionals, and community stakeholders
- Coordinated yearly visits to Washington DC to support federal advocacy efforts
- Accomplishments
- Led the passage of prescription drug access reforms in insurance plans
- Established a legislative task force for Multiple Sclerosis, including key stakeholders
- Successfully reinstated disability access tax credits.
Lobbyist
11.2008 - 11.2012
Job overview
- Legislative Accomplishments
- Advocated for and achieved judicial reform legislation supporting domestic violence survivors
- Successfully defended various issues, including healthcare access, voting rights, and financial assistance for low-income residents.
Education
Wichita State University
Master of Public Administration
Wichita State University
Graduate Certificate from Nonprofit Management
Friends University
Bachelor of Science from Organizational Management and Leadership
Affiliations
- Leadership and Recognition
- Women Who Lead in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Wichita Business Journal
- Member, City of Wichita Diversity, Equity, and Civil Rights Task Force
- Member, Wichita USD 259 Health and Wellness Committee
- Board Member, Kansas Coalition for Sexual and Domestic Violence
- Chair, Policy Committee, Tobacco-Free Kansas Coalition
- Passion for the Mission Award 2022, American Heart Association, Midwest Region
Timeline
Government Relations Director
American Heart Association
08.2019 - Current
Senior Manager
National Multiple Sclerosis, MS, Advocacy
04.2012 - 08.2019
Lobbyist
11.2008 - 11.2012
Wichita State University
Master of Public Administration
Wichita State University
Graduate Certificate from Nonprofit Management
Friends University
Bachelor of Science from Organizational Management and Leadership
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