Our Staff

Jaleen Claassen

Executive Director

Jaleen Claassen has a passion for Treehouse moms and babies. While teaching 4th grade in the Wichita Public Schools, her desire to reach struggling moms before children entered school led her to The Treehouse. Jaleen will use her own experience as a teacher and mother to help build relationships with women needing support, expand The Treehouse classroom programs and Earn While You Learn. As a wife to Brandon, and mother of four children, Brady, Elias, Juliet and Pepper, Jaleen relates to the challenges all new moms face regardless of their circumstances.

Cristin Coats

Operations Manager

Cristin has a knack for making connections with everyone she meets. Her kind-hearted nature is balanced by her strong desire to make a true difference in the lives of the moms and babies we serve at The Treehouse. In addition to managing the day-to-day operations, Cristin assists the Executive Director and manages the marketing and publications materials. Her goal is simple, to give donors a little insight into the blessings of The Treehouse. Cristin graduated from Newman University with an MBA in Leadership, and from Wichita State University with a BA in Marketing. Her passion for serving moms and babies stems from her own experiences as a mother and wife to her children Eli, Enzo, and Eva and husband Todd.

Laura

Laura Bisterfeldt

Program Manager

As a Social Work student with a minor in Public Health, Laura participated in an internship with the Treehouse. Now, while pursuing her Masters, she joins as Program Manager. Laura’s commitment to Treehouse families is inspired by her own mother, who through her resourcefulness truly showed Laura the power of community support through parenting and life.  Laura brings a wealth of volunteer experience working with and advocating for women and children. Utilizing her connection to many community organizations, Laura is a tremendous resource for our moms, helping them to grow within the Treehouse and beyond. 

Carina

Kendrea Homan

Playroom Manager

Kendrea Homan is a wife, mother, grandma, and aunt and is native to Wichita. Ms. Kenny is an enthusiastic childcare provider with multiple years of experience in caretaking and education. 

 Ms. Kenny taught Preschool while her children were little and later became a Para education professional to allow her more time with her growing children. While working as a Para, she supported middle school children with exceptionalities. During this time, she also studied American sign Language at WSU.  Now that her youngest has gone off to college, she shares her passion for educating children and heart for serving at The Treehouse.   

In her position as Playroom Manager, Ms. Kenny embraces various opportunities to serve Treehouse families, whether teaching a lesson in class, greeting moms at the front desk, sharing experiences with mothers or helping our Treehouse kiddos to thrive in their classroom.

Carina

Jennifer Fuentes Gonzalez

Playroom Support

Ms. Jenni is a bright light at The Treehouse. A recent high school graduate, she is fluent in both Spanish and English and never fails to brighten our days. While working in her high school child development program, Ms. Jenni found that she loved working with infants and young children. Additionally, Ms. Jenni participated in multiple extracurricular activities, to include serving as President of FFA, all while participating in AP classes.

 Outside The Treehouse, Ms. Jenni is an ambitious entrepreneur and world traveler! She enjoys spending time at home with her big family, celebrating each other and enjoying Grandma’s cooking.

Beth

Beth Wasson

Grant Writer / Research Specialist

A long-time volunteer with The Treehouse, Beth shares her grant writing expertise with The Treehouse in a part-time capacity.  When she’s not working on grants or welcoming moms at the front desk, you’ll find her in the playroom helping with our Treehouse toddlers and preschoolers.

Board of Directors

Misha Warren

Board President – Wichita State University

Tara Patterson

Vice President – USAA Federal Savings Bank

Hayley Cheatham

World Impact

LeeAnn McKinney

IMA

Gretchen Postiglione

FastEST Inc.

Frank Tritschler

PURE Workplace Solutions

Darren Minks

Treasurer – United Way

Nicole Sultani

Secretary – McGrath North

Chris Farha

Community Volunteer

Joan Farha

Community Volunteer

Leyanne Oller

Emprise Bank

Dr. Janane Zayat

Community Volunteer

Aimee White

Ascension Via Christi