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Jerry Anselmo was born and raised in an Italian family from Saint Louis. He attended St. Margaret of Scotland elementary school and Saint Louis U. High.  He graduated from Rockhurst College with low honors. Mainly, because he was President of the legendary Suzzer Fraternity, met the woman of his dreams and then started dating Mary Ellen Mitchell.  He served honorably in the Air Force teaching English to Vietnamese helicopter pilots. Many of them graduated with low honors. He was very proud of his students.

Jerry Anselmo has been married to Mary Ellen Anselmo since 1969. They had a very active life serving on many boards, coaching, cooking together and still found time to have 3 wonderful children in Julie, Lori and Brian. They are fortunate to spend time with their 3 grandkids, Massimo, Luca and Francesca.  Going to their games, programs, etc. keeps them moving.

Jerry decided shortly after Brian died, to start a foundation to keep his name alive and to help children and animal welfare in his name. He started it in 2009 and has built it into one of the best foundations supporting children in Kansas City. He continues to spread the BMA word and support the many charities that we support through the very popular fundraisers each and every year.

John and Leslie Humphrey are both attorneys and have been married for 31 years. They have 4 children and two of their daughters have special needs. Their youngest daughter, Megan, has Down syndrome and the Humphreys never dreamed that she would be able to attend their home parish school, St. Thomas More. However, under the pastoral leadership of Fr. Don Farnan, STM adopted a program of inclusion called the FIRE program, which helps children with learning differences attend their home parochial schools with a model including paraprofessionals and special educators working with the students, often one on one.

St. Thomas More established a separate fund, STM for All, to help supplement the additional costs associated with this uplifting program. The BMA has long been partnered with STM for All and both John and his wife have been STM for All fundraising dancers at BMA’s annual Dine and Dance with the Stars gala, with Leslie taking home the 1st place trophy the year she danced. Leslie is the current president of the BMA Board and John, well, he’s kind of cute but the board asks him to not talk too much.

Diane attended St. Thomas More grade school, Grandview High School and Notre Dame de Sion. She roamed the halls in grade school with Brian Anselmo and grew up with the Anselmo family just a few blocks away. She graduated from Avila University with a B.A. in Communication in 2004.  After working in sales in the wine and liquor business, Diane knew her heart was in education. She returned to school and earned her Masters of Education in 2013 and is currently working on her second masters in history. She is a high school teacher in the Kansas City area, writes a history column in the Martin City Telegraph, and hosts a monthly podcast called “Kansas City: 2 States, 1 Story” with BMA board president, Bob Fescoe. She is honored to work with the Anselmo family to keep Brian’s legacy alive and well in Kansas City.

Every day is Paradise in our household which consists of my number one babe Maddie, our 2-year-old son Whitley, and our dogs Kai and Winnie. I enjoy taking long walks on the beach, stargazing, and sipping Teakoe Fizzy Tea. I run my family business in Olathe, KS and we make outdoor furniture and yard games out of recycled plastic. When I was asked to become a board member for BMA, I was through the roof. I knew Brian from track and field at Rockhurst High School as I was a freshman when he was a senior. He used to stick up for me when the older guys gave me a hard time and I never forgot him for that. I love the Board, our members, our events, our mission, and love helping children, animals, and families in the greater Kansas City area. Thanks in advance if you support our cause!

Jimmy Bergner is a passionate sales professional in the paper and packaging industry. He has been in the paper industry for over 24 years and is currently the Packaging Sales Manager for Sappi North America.

Jimmy has lived in the Kansas City area since 1983 moving here before high school from Gulfport, MS. He graduated in 1993 from Baker University with degrees in Accounting and Business Management. However, his greatest achievement from Baker University is his beautiful wife Angela. Jimmy and Angela were married in July 1993 and have been happily married for over 27 years. They are the proud parents of three sons who have all graduated from Rockhurst High School. They have been active members in their parish, children’s schools and the community.

Jimmy was introduced to the BMA Foundation and Dine and Dance with the Stars in 2012 through Bags of Fun KC. He was given the opportunity to dance in 2017 as the Bags of Fun representative. Jimmy reluctantly said “yes” due to his lack of dancing skills but was willing to embarrass himself for a great cause. Jimmy not only won the Mirror Ball trophy for raising the most money in 2017 but he kept the audience and judges entertained and laughing with his unique and goof ball dance moves.

Jimmy’s Dine and Dance with the Stars experience gave him the opportunity to get to know Jerry and Mary Ellen Anselmo as well as the great work the BMA Foundation supports. There was an instant connection and admiration for both the Anselmos and the BMA Foundation. Jimmy is honored to serve on the board of such a wonderful foundation.

As a wife and mother of two young daughters, I have been blessed with love and support from my family to deal with the trials of life. Many families in Kansas City aren’t as blessed as us and I am proud to have the opportunity to help out in the tiniest way I can through the BMA. Years before I became involved in the BMA, I received the horrible news that my nephew was diagnosed with Leukemia. Shortly after this tragic news I was presented with a wonderful opportunity to help support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Without much thought I decided to run for Woman of the Year. After much love and support from our wonderful community I won Woman of the Year in 2004. I continued to be involved with the LLS and served on their board for 10 years.

After attending the BMA Dine and Dance with the Stars over the years and knowing the wonderful Anselmo Family for a very long time, I wanted to find a way to help out. I was absolutely thrilled when they offered me the opportunity to join the board and have been so honored to help out over the years. There is nothing more important to me than my family, and the BMA is a part of mine. I am so blessed to be a part of this wonderful organization, and I look forward to supporting the BMA and the several charities that they support through our extended Kansas City family!!

For Jasper J. Mirabile Jr., working in the kitchen of Kansas City’s most award-winning restaurant has been a homecoming to his family-owned establishment. Mirabile’s family history reflects a love for fine food and elegance. His grandmother helped his father launch Jasper’s back in 1954, and now almost 67 years later, Jasper Jr has taken the reins.

Today, he works to impart his vast knowledge of food to all who are interested by offering multiple cooking classes in venues across Kansas and Missouri as well as traveling to Europe with clients to visit cooking schools in Italy and France. Mirabile is an acclaimed chef who has made guest chef appearances at The James Beard House in New York. He has been featured in several major newspapers and magazines across the USA. Recently, Zagat named Jasper’s one of America’s Top 25 Italian Restaurants and Travel & Leisure named Jasper’s one of USA’s Top Italian Restaurants.

Jasper has been friends with the Anselmo family for many years. His nephew Jasper was also in Brian’s class at Rockhurst. When Brian died, Jasper met with Jerry and encouraged him to start a foundation in Brian’s honor. So we have Jasper to thank for helping launch the BMA Foundation. His continued support over the years has been invaluable.

Dr. Dena K. Hubbard, MD, FAAP is a neonatologist at Children’s Mercy Kansas City. She attended BMA Dine and Dance with the Stars to support a friend in 2014 and was captivated by the Anselmo Family, their love for Mizzou (she is a School of Medicine Alumni), and their mission to honor Brian through supporting KC charities focusing on child and animal welfare. Dena had the time of her life as one of the “Stars” who danced in 2015 and joined the BMA Board of Directors in 2016.

Dena is a small town girl from Osceola, MO and now resides in Lees Summit, MO with her husband and high school sweetheart Adam, and daughters Emily and Reese. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, travel, dance, and music (especially karaoke!)

You may recognize BMA Board member and Kansas City native Carrie Donnelly from her days on the sidelines at Arrowhead stadium as a Kansas Chiefs Cheerleader. A graduate of Missouri State University, she earned a degree in Health and Wellness, with an emphasis in marketing (you know, back in the 90’s), She is currently a medical sales representative for Glaukos Corporation. Carrie is passionate about helping raise funds for KC area charities through the BMA foundation in Brian’s honor. Carrie danced in the BMA foundation Dine and Dancing With The Stars event representing Charlie’s House in 2016 and immediately felt connected to the Anselmo family and their mission to help local charities in need. Carrie, her husband, Mark Anderson and their three kids, Carley, Cole and Ava love to travel and spend time together with family and friends.

Mary Ellen was born and raised in Kansas City. She graduated from Loretto Academy and then earned a degree in English and Education from UMKC. After retiring in 2015 from teaching Middle School language arts for 37 years, she has been enjoying her role as a part time paraprofessional. She also serves on the St. Regis Academy School Advisory Council where she taught for 30 years.

Mary Ellen has been married to Jerry Anselmo, the love of her life, for 52 years. They are the proud parents of their three children, Julie, Lori, and Brian. They are also the very proud grandparents to their three grandchildren, Massimo, Luca, and Francesca. They enjoy being a part of their extremely active lives by going to all their sporting events, dance recitals, and theater productions.

Mary Ellen has always loved children and been passionate about helping to make sure that every child receives a quality education. In addition, she has loved animals from the time she was a little girl. Her children never knew a life without pets in their home as evidenced by the 4 dogs, parakeets, and gerbils they grew up with that became beloved members of their family. So, she wasn’t too surprised when Brian chose to raise Heritage turkeys and chickens for a living while, at the same time, enjoying cattle, llamas, and his many dogs that also lived on the farm with him.

Mary Ellen believes very strongly in the mission of the BMA Foundation and knows that Brian would be enormously proud to see the great work the Foundation has accomplished in helping to fund local Kansas City children’s charities and animal welfare in his name.

John and Leslie Humphrey are both attorneys and have been married for 31 years. They have 4 children and two of their daughters have special needs. Their youngest daughter, Megan, has Down syndrome and the Humphreys never dreamed that she would be able to attend their home parish school, St. Thomas More. However, under the pastoral leadership of Fr. Don Farnan, STM adopted a program of inclusion called the FIRE program, which helps children with learning differences attend their home parochial schools with a model including paraprofessionals and special educators working with the students, often one on one.

St. Thomas More established a separate fund, STM for All, to help supplement the additional costs associated with this uplifting program. The BMA has long been partnered with STM for All and both John and his wife have been STM for All fundraising dancers at BMA’s annual Dine and Dance with the Stars gala, with Leslie taking home the 1st place trophy the year she danced. Leslie is the current president of the BMA Board and John, well, he’s kind of cute but the board asks him to not talk too much.

When Anne Waris Alexiou isn’t spinning pizzas, she is chasing after her two boys and helping up at her alma mater, St, Thomas More. Anne was born and raised in Kansas City, MO. She is the youngest of 4 in the Waris Clan.  Anne is the 2nd Waris to dance proudly for STM for All in the BMA Dine and Dance with the Stars.  St. Thomas More was her grade school and now her little boy’s, Henry and Tommy, attend the same school. She is a proud alumnus of St. Teresa’s Academy and Avila University. She and her husband, Matt, own one of South KC’s favorite gathering spaces known as Southside Bar and Grille.  Henry, Tommy and Willie the Bulldog will tell you that their Mom is the best!

Growing up in the same neighborhood with the Anselmo’s, Anne was a regular fixture in the Anselmo household. With Lori as her best friend, Anne spent many nights over there. It has been said that Mary Ellen makes the best chocolate chip pancakes and Anne will attest to that.  It seems only natural that Anne was willing to take on their challenge to dance for STM for All and now be a proud BMA board member.