Danielle Puzio

Chief Executive Officer

Danielle brings more than two decades of leadership experience across the corporate and non-profit sectors to HNC Living. Known for breaking down silos and getting the most out of every team member, Danielle excels in organizational thinking and developing efficient and productive workflows. At her core, Danielle is a people-first executive with a passion for identifying and mentoring up-and-coming talent.

Prior to her appointment at HNC, Danielle led enrollment marketing and fundraising efforts at Baker University, a prestigious private university outside Kansas City. Before moving to KC, she spent 13 years working with the deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing communities at Gallaudet University in Washington D.C. Danielle is fluent in American Sign Language and led numerous teams during her tenure, including development, public relations, national outreach, interpreting, and products and training.

When she’s not raising much-needed funding for head and neck cancer patients, Danielle can be found on the sidelines of her kids’ sporting events or volunteering in the community.

Jodi Wilson

Director of Grants and Operations

Jodi has more than 15 years of non-profit experience and has been with HNC Living Foundation since 2017. Previously, Jodi served as the Program Director of the Medicine Cabinet in Kansas City. Jodi’s favorite part of her job is being able to help head and neck cancer patients with a portion of their financial obligations, so they can focus on their treatment, recovery and thrive in survivorship. Outside of work, Jodi enjoys playing tennis, being outdoors, and reading books. She graduated from the University of Kansas with degrees in business administration and accounting.

Alyssa LaVelle

Director of Marketing and Special Events

Alyssa  is a Kansas City native with over seven years of experience within non-profit, government, and corporate organizations to implement effective communication strategies. Most, recently she served as a Community Initiatives Coordinator with Missouri Housing Development Commission in Kansas City. While at MHDC, Alyssa led communities throughout the State of Missouri in developing strategic responses to homelessness, organizing statewide conferences, and implementing communication collateral to support the effort to end homelessness.

Alyssa received her Bachelors of Science in Public Relations from the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Missouri.

Brandi Rodriguez

Patient Advocate

Brandi is a Kansas City resident of nearly 20 years. Her work background includes office management, venue/event planning and marketing. She helps patients in during the application process and provides a variety of office support to HNC Living Foundation’s team. Outside of work, Brandi is a very busy mom to three kids who are involved in sports.

Brandi received her Bachelor of Science in Health & Human Performance from Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas.

Melinda Kurtright

Patient Outreach

Melinda joined HNC Living Foundation in 2021 as a patient outreach advocate. Melinda is a Leavenworth Kansas resident. Melinda is a head and neck cancer survivor who received a dental grant from HNC Living Foundation in 2021 and shared her story during HNC Living Foundation’s annual MASKS for AID event. In her free time she loves spending time with her children and grandchildren.