MCS Operations Board
Paul Acker
Paul is a project management executive with over thirty years of experience in corporate leadership and organizational management. A native of Magnolia, Arkansas, he has resided in St. Louis, Missouri for over twenty years where he advocates for LGBTQ rights, animal rights, and accessible healthcare.
Professionally, Paul specializes in project management, strategic initiatives execution, merger integrations, and organizational structure and design. After twenty years in various positions at Express Scripts, he currently directs strategic initiatives for FreseniusRx, a division of Fresenius Medical Care, focusing on effective integrated healthcare for patients impacted by End Stage Renal Disease and dialysis.
Paul currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Middle Tennessee Kidney Foundation and previously served as President of the Board of the Gateway Men’s Chorus as well as the Board of Doorways Housing, an interfaith non-profit organization which provides housing and related supportive services to improve quality of life and health outcomes for people affected by HIV/AIDS.
Paul is an alumnus of Southern Arkansas University, the University of Arkansas, and Baylor University, where he earned his bachelor’s and MBA.
Professionally, Paul specializes in project management, strategic initiatives execution, merger integrations, and organizational structure and design. After twenty years in various positions at Express Scripts, he currently directs strategic initiatives for FreseniusRx, a division of Fresenius Medical Care, focusing on effective integrated healthcare for patients impacted by End Stage Renal Disease and dialysis.
Paul currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Middle Tennessee Kidney Foundation and previously served as President of the Board of the Gateway Men’s Chorus as well as the Board of Doorways Housing, an interfaith non-profit organization which provides housing and related supportive services to improve quality of life and health outcomes for people affected by HIV/AIDS.
Paul is an alumnus of Southern Arkansas University, the University of Arkansas, and Baylor University, where he earned his bachelor’s and MBA.
Cheri Ball
Cheri is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and works as a hospice bereavement coordinator/social worker. She is a passionate advocate for LGBTQ youth rights and works with GLSEN of Greater Kansas City, The Kansas City LGBTQ Youth Service Provider Coalition, and #clothinghasnogender.
Cheri's son, Morgan, received the Trans Courage Award in 2016. Cheri is very excited to join MCS as an ambassador in Kansas City.
Cheri's son, Morgan, received the Trans Courage Award in 2016. Cheri is very excited to join MCS as an ambassador in Kansas City.
Dean Carpenter
Dean Carpenter manages our social media presence and serves as the Courage Ambassador to New York City where he is a Theatre Producer and General Manager working in both commercial and non-profit theatre. Additionally, he is a marketing consultant working with a variety of clients to develop communication strategies and content.
Prior to living in New York City, Dean lived in St. Louis, MO where he worked in the advertising industry with a focus brand strategy and development. He earned an undergraduate degree in Theatre from Northwestern University and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Theatre Management and Producing from Columbia University.
His passion for MCS springs from his experience living as closeted gay man growing up in a socially conservative family and community in the rural Midwest.
Prior to living in New York City, Dean lived in St. Louis, MO where he worked in the advertising industry with a focus brand strategy and development. He earned an undergraduate degree in Theatre from Northwestern University and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Theatre Management and Producing from Columbia University.
His passion for MCS springs from his experience living as closeted gay man growing up in a socially conservative family and community in the rural Midwest.
Billy Donley
Billy has been a part of MCS since shortly after it was started. He served in the MCS Fellowship position for two years before joining the Board.
Billy is a future professional in the field of Student Affairs and currently an undergraduate student at the University of Missouri. After graduation, he plans to pursue a masters degree in Higher Education. Billy is passionate about the LGBTQ community and is constantly seeking to grow in his allyship.
Born and raised in St. Louis, Billy has lived in Missouri all his life. Professionally, he has been heavily involved as a student leader in his university and community. Outside of school, he is an enthusiastic and talented musician, and is also involved alumni of De Smet Jesuit High School.
Billy is a future professional in the field of Student Affairs and currently an undergraduate student at the University of Missouri. After graduation, he plans to pursue a masters degree in Higher Education. Billy is passionate about the LGBTQ community and is constantly seeking to grow in his allyship.
Born and raised in St. Louis, Billy has lived in Missouri all his life. Professionally, he has been heavily involved as a student leader in his university and community. Outside of school, he is an enthusiastic and talented musician, and is also involved alumni of De Smet Jesuit High School.
Dakota Miller
Dakota was in our very first class of Courage Scholars in 2016. He is a learning and development, disability/access, and diversity professional with 5+ years of experience working in higher education and the mental health sectors. He is currently an LGBTQ+ and Diversity Coordinator responsible for developing events and trainings surrounding various identities. His focus is the intersectionality of identities to show a fuller story of the human experience.
Dakota is from the small town of Potosi, Missouri. He received his Bachelors from Missouri State University and completed his Masters at Saint Louis University.
Dakota has a special interest in mental health as it relates to diverse populations, and eventually plans to obtain his PhD in clinical psychology with research on eating and personality disorders among queer people. He also has strong interest in advocating for higher and equitable pay for those in the education sector, and educating students about financial aid opportunities for collegiate education.
Dakota is from the small town of Potosi, Missouri. He received his Bachelors from Missouri State University and completed his Masters at Saint Louis University.
Dakota has a special interest in mental health as it relates to diverse populations, and eventually plans to obtain his PhD in clinical psychology with research on eating and personality disorders among queer people. He also has strong interest in advocating for higher and equitable pay for those in the education sector, and educating students about financial aid opportunities for collegiate education.
Chandra Peterson
Chandra is the MCS Ambassador to San Diego, California. She is a federal public defender in the Southern District of California where she represents indigent individuals who are charged with federal crimes - mainly individuals who are charged with coming into the United States without permission. She received her undergraduate degree in Political Science and Philosophy from Iowa State University and graduated from Berkeley Law in May of 2015. In her free time she coaches a high school women's wrestling team in her community.
Chandra is originally from rural Iowa and excited to be part of an organization that supports individuals who may not always feel like they are valued in the community in which they find themselves.
Chandra is originally from rural Iowa and excited to be part of an organization that supports individuals who may not always feel like they are valued in the community in which they find themselves.