ABOUT US

Charles Harper was a founding member of the Poplar Bluff Regional Giving Circle and has served as President of the Board since its incorporation in 2011.  Mr. Harper retired from teaching Spanish at Poplar Bluff High School in 2020 and is happy to have more time to devote to growing the Giving Circle.  His wife Debbie is also a retired PBR1 educator.  They enjoy traveling to visit their children and grandsons in California and Florida.

Kirk Mondy has served on the PBRGC Board since incorporation in 2011.  He retired from a 41 year career at Ozark Federal Credit Union in May, 2023 and puts his financial skills to work as Board Treasurer.  Mr. Mondy has always had an avocation for music and has put those skills to work in church music for those same 41 years.  He has a wife, Carol, who enjoys retirement with him, and two adult daughters who live in Kansas City and Columbia, MO.

When asked to serve on the Board of Poplar BluffGiving Circle, I was honored. I could give back to my community knowing the work and funds have a far reaching impact for organizations and their clients. I’m excited to be a part of this program.

My name is Stephen Patty, and I teach Language Arts at Poplar Bluff High School. I have served on the Giving Circle board since 2016. My favorite part of PBRGC is making connections and bringing awareness to all of the wonderful philanthropic organizations within our community. Learning about all of the great work so many of our neighbors do is truly inspiring, and I am blessed to be a part of an organization that supports them.

Mike Anderle is a history and government teacher at Poplar Bluff high school. Mike coaches JV and Junior High soccer for the district, and also advises members of the high school Interact Club. He has been on the Poplar Bluff Regional Giving Circle Board for the last 5 years.  “The PBRGC has amazed me since I first joined. Not only the amount of funds raised for local non-profits, but the way local organizations work in concert to help each other and, most importantly, how they help those in need. The Giving Circle is one of the greatest investments you can make as a citizen of Poplar Bluff and Butler County.”

Hello! I’ve been a member of the Giving Circle Board for many years throughout my career in education! Along with my fellow board members, I believe in the power of community and the difference that we can make together. I’m proud to represent a great organization that serves to support other non-profit organizations in our area!

Misty Edwards is excited to join the Poplar Bluff Regional Giving Circle. Formerly a writer for the local newspaper and currently a grant writer for the local planning commission, Misty has a strong background in community-focused work. She also coordinates the Ozark Foothills Regional Community Foundation, another nonprofit grant-making organization in the area. A passionate musician and single parent to school-age children, Misty is honored to serve in this new role, hoping to make a meaningful impact in the region and set an example of service and involvement for her children.

I have had the privilege of being a member of the Giving Circle since 2023. My initial exposure to the organization's extensive local contributions inspired me to join. When invited to serve as a board member, I eagerly accepted the opportunity to engage at all levels, aiming to educate and motivate others about the positive impact we can have on our community. My husband John and I cherish our camping adventures with our grandchildren. Having a nursing career spanning 40 years, I take great pride in delivering exceptional care to the veterans I serve. I am genuinely excited to witness the future initiatives of PBRGC as we continue to support nonprofit charities and organizations within our community.

Originally from West St. Louis County, Genise has made Poplar Bluff her home for 46 years. She and her husband Dairel have been happily married for 46 years and have two daughters. Melissa is an attorney for Zelle and with her husband, Josh, have three children and a dog and reside in Peoria, Arizona. Meredith is an accountant and CFP. She and her husband, Justin have two children and a dog and reside in Poplar Bluff. Meredith works with her father, Dairel, at Denton and Associates CPA’s. 

Genise graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a BS in Education and Library Science and an MA in English. She previously worked for Neelyville R-4 Schools as a School Librarian, Three Rivers Community College as an Instructor, the Department of Veterans Affairs in Poplar Bluff, and Marion, Illinois 

as a Medical Librarian, Learning Resources Coordinator, and Chief, Human Resources. She retired in 2018 with 39 years of service with the VA. 

She most notably has served as a speaker for Women Aware, coordinator for Wall of Valor and member of Beta Sigma Phi. Genise has since enjoyed her retirement by traveling, crafting, and spending time with her grandchildren.