Speakers
Erica Andrade, M.P.A. , President & CEO, El Centro
Erica has had the distinct pleasure of serving the Latino community in Kansas City for 25 years through her work at El Centro, a Latino-led, Latino-serving, Spanish-first organization with a rich 50 year history grounded in trust and respect. As the proud daughter of a hardworking immigrant mother, she has dedicated her life to fighting for equity, access, and justice for the immigrant and Latino communities. Erica and El Centro believe that everyone has regardless of language, birthplace, documentation status deserve to be fully accepted and integrated into the community where they live, work and pursue their dreams in.
Heather Braum, M.L.S., Senior Policy Advisor, Kansas Action for Children
Heather joined KAC as the Health Policy Advisor in 2020 and now serves as Senior Policy Advisor. She focuses on Medicaid and CHIP health insurance for kids and families, as well as immunization and maternal health policy. She previously served on the Immunize Kansas Coalition board as policy chair and currently serves on the Kansas Maternal and Child Health Council. Thanks to more than a decade of experience in libraries and technology, she brings a passion for building coalitions, sharing information with lawmakers and partners, and finding common ground amidst differing opinions. A fifth-generation Kansan, Heather holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Oklahoma Baptist University and a master’s degree in library and information science from Emporia State University.
Sonder Crane, M.D., I.B.C.L.C., F.A.A.P., President for the Kansas Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
Dr. Crane is a native of Manhattan, KS and received her undergraduate degree from Kansas State University. She completed her medical training at the University of Kansas Medical School in Wichita and her residency at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, graduating in 2012. She practiced at Children’s Mercy West Clinic from 2012 – 2021 and served both as a Pediatrician and Certified Lactation Consultant after obtaining her IBCLC in 2013. She joined Pediatric Associates of Manhattan in July 2021 and continues providing General Pediatric care for the families of Manhattan and surrounding areas, and focusing on advocacy for her patients and families. She has been an active member of the Board of Directors of the Kansas chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics since 2016, currently serving as President. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling and making music with her family, serving on multiple community boards to help augment the appreciation and enjoyment of community orchestras.
Anne Dwyer, J.D., M.P.H., Center for Children and Families, Georgetown McCourt School of Public Policy
Anne Dwyer is an Associate Research Professor at the Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy’s Center for Children and Families (CCF). Her research and policy work focuses on Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), including issues related to mental and behavioral health, school-based Medicaid services, and children and youth with special health care needs. Prior to joining CCF, Anne served as Senior Health Counsel for the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, where she led the Committee’s Medicaid, CHIP, and women’s health portfolio. She played a lead role in major health legislation including extensions of CHIP funding, the SUPPORT Act, the American Rescue Plan Act (including the state option to extend postpartum Medicaid and CHIP coverage to 12 months), numerous budget reconciliation bills, and several year-end packages advancing Medicaid and children’s health.
