Kelly Poelker founded Glow For Hope out of a profound commitment to combat the devastating impact of suicide and enhance mental health awareness. Motivated by personal experiences with the daunting challenges of mental health crises within her own family, Kelly recognized the urgent need for more resources and support structures that address these sensitive issues.

Before establishing Glow For Hope, Kelly built an extensive career as an entrepreneur in business support and strategic consulting. That coupled with a long history as an event strategist and organizer, she developed a keen insight into organizational leadership and community engagement. This background has been instrumental in guiding Glow For Hope’s mission to provide targeted support and effective resources to families navigating mental health challenges.

Under her leadership, Glow For Hope has become a beacon for those in the darkness of despair, offering understanding, practical tools, and community support. Kelly’s story and the organization’s mission resonate with countless individuals and families, inspiring hope and fostering a collective effort to diminish the stigma surrounding mental health and prevent suicide.

Kelsey Poelker played a pivotal role in the founding of Glow For Hope, providing unwavering support, encouragement, and strategic insight during the organization’s earliest stages. Her combination of personal experience, education, and professional expertise brings a valuable perspective to the organization’s mission of mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

Kelsey holds a Master’s degree in Human Development & Family Science with a focus on Youth Development from the University of Missouri–Columbia and a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice with an emphasis in Juvenile Justice from Saint Louis University. Throughout her career, she has dedicated herself to supporting children, youth, and families through a variety of behavioral health, residential treatment, and community-based services.

As an Early Childhood Behavioral Support Specialist with OVEC, Kelsey works alongside educators, children, and families to promote healthy social-emotional development, positive behavioral outcomes, and supportive learning environments. Her professional experience, combined with her passion for youth advocacy, has strengthened her commitment to helping young people build resilience and navigate life’s challenges.

Kelsey is also open about her own mental health journey and is a strong advocate for reducing stigma through honest conversations and increased awareness. Through her work with Glow For Hope, she is committed to helping create a community where individuals feel supported, connected, and empowered to seek help when they need it most.

Sommer Henzl is passionate about supporting mental health awareness and helping reduce the stigma surrounding mental health challenges. As a mother of two teenage boys, she understands the importance of creating safe, supportive environments where young people and families feel comfortable having open conversations about emotional well-being.

Following a devastating fire and her own struggles with mental health and suicidal thoughts, Sommer experienced firsthand the power of community, compassion, and connection. Those experiences strengthened her commitment to helping others know they are not alone.

Through her involvement with Glow For Hope, Sommer is dedicated to raising awareness, supporting individuals and families facing challenges, and helping create spaces where hope, understanding, and meaningful conversations can thrive.

As a suicide attempt survivor, Elizabeth has turned her pain into purpose by using her pageantry platform to raise awareness for suicide prevention through the power of storytelling. A year after Elizabeth’s attempt, she received the devastating news that her foster sister had died by suicide. It was then, Elizabeth knew she had to start speaking out.

Crowned Ms. World America 2023/2024 and Ms. Millennial International 2024/2025, Elizabeth has used her titles to advocate for mental health and suicide prevention on national and international stages. Elizabeth’s journey has brought her full circle—from surviving to thriving (On most days)—allowing her to have worked closely with the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program, and share her story in the powerful documentary Ms. World America: Behind the Crown, which was featured in the 2024 St. Louis Film Festival. Elizabeth has had the honor of participating in impactful fundraisers like Glow for Hope’s Celebrity Bartending and Spike Out Suicide; and even judged a doggie fashion show to raise awareness.

Beyond Elizabeth’s advocacy, her daughter is her greatest source of strength; who inspires Elizabeth daily to be resilient and compassionate. Her family continues to be her biggest supporters and together, they love to embrace the outdoors—enjoying all the country adventures that bring them closer. Those are the moments that fuel her creativity and inspire her every day. ​

Professionally, Elizabeth is a results-driven leader, she graduated with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and a Minor in Psychology.  Elizabeth is currently working in the senior living industry while expanding her real estate portfolio and growing her beauty and wellness boutique. Elizabeth is proud to serve on the Board of Glow for Hope to further her mission to bring light, hope, and connection to those who feel alone in the dark.

Jess Vitale is a passionate mental health advocate and suicide attempt survivor who brings both lived experience and professional expertise to her work. Having navigated her own mental health journey for more than 20 years, she understands the challenges many individuals face and the critical role that hope, connection, and support play in recovery.

A proud mother of six, Jess has dedicated much of her career to serving children, families, and individuals experiencing trauma, crisis, and adversity. Her professional background includes roles as a Social Worker, Licensed Level A Foster Parent, Domestic Violence Victim Advocate, and Deputy Juvenile Officer.

Through her involvement with Glow For Hope, Jess is committed to advancing mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and access to supportive resources. She believes every life has value and that by fostering connection, compassion, and understanding, we can help others find hope during life’s most difficult moments.

Sophia is a passionate advocate for youth mental health and suicide prevention who believes every young person deserves to feel heard, supported, and valued. She is dedicated to helping break the stigma surrounding mental health by encouraging honest conversations, promoting awareness, and creating spaces where young people feel safe sharing their experiences.

Sophia has served in a media role with the Missouri Suicide Prevention Network, where she helped create and share content designed to educate communities, promote available resources, and spread messages of hope and support. Through this work, she witnessed firsthand the impact that awareness, outreach, and open dialogue can have on individuals and families facing mental health challenges.

Known for her compassion, determination, and commitment to service, Sophia is driven by a desire to make a meaningful difference in her community. Through her involvement with Glow For Hope, she is focused on empowering young people to speak openly about mental health, seek help when needed, and support one another through life’s challenges. She believes that by fostering connection, understanding, and education, we can help build a generation that is more resilient, informed, and unafraid to ask for help.