Staff

Meet Our Staff

Catherine Bocke Meckes
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Catherine Meckes, 
Chief Executive Officer

Catherine was named CEO in November 2019. As CEO, she works with the Board of Directors, donors, and the community to fulfill the mission and objectives of the Community Foundation. Catherine joined the Community Foundation in April 2015, initially managing all grant programs and marketing before assuming a development and communications role in December 2017. 

Raised in Quincy and a Quincy High School alumna, Catherine returned to her hometown from Chicago where she held a career in healthcare public relations. She earned a Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts, both in communication studies, from Eastern Illinois University. Catherine resides in Quincy with her husband, Will, and children, Margaret and Charlie.
Jonathan O’Neal
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Jonathan O’Neal,
Chief Financial Officer

As Chief Financial Officer, Jon's responsibilities include financial and fund management, human resources, grant administration, and technology management. Jon joined the Community Foundation in a financial and operations capacity in 2015 after previously serving as Office Manager. 

He is a graduate of John Wood Community College and Western Illinois University. He started his career as a high school math teacher. For two years, he served as a Trainer and Safety Specialist for a local company. He and his wife, Katie, reside in Payson with their children, Jack and Claire.
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Kent Embree,

Program Officer


Kent was raised in Quincy and is a proud alumnus of QHS. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa in English, and his early career focused on graphic communications and marketing in St. Louis.


In 2003, he and his wife, Denise, returned to Quincy to raise their two sons, Evan and Garrett. For eight years, Kent owned and operated his own graphic communications business, later serving as a non-profit marketing manager and, most recently, the executive director for a Quincy based non-profit organization before assuming the program officer role at the Community Foundation in March 2022. Kent volunteers extensively and is passionate about helping local non-profits reach their maximum potential.

Kaylee McFarland
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Kaylee McFarland,
Development Officer

Kaylee joined the Community Foundation in February of 2020. As Development Officer, Kaylee helps donors and prospective donors reach their philanthropic goals and develops strategies to tell the story of the Community Foundation, its donors, and grantees. 

Kaylee is from Texas, but has immediate family who are all native to the Tri-State area, with many residing in Quincy and surrounding areas. Prior to the Community Foundation, Kaylee spent 8 years in the broadcast news industry. Kaylee now lives in Quincy with her husband, Joe, and daughter, Kirby. 
Heath Richmond
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Krista Pfeiffer,
Administrative Officer

Krista joined the Community Foundation in November 2015. She assists Board and staff in fulfilling the mission and objectives of the Community Foundation. Her responsibilities include secretarial, financial, office management, and technology coordination as well as assisting with special projects.

She is a graduate of Illinois College in Jacksonville with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Her career has included years of accounting experience and self-employment. Previously from Warsaw, Illinois, Krista now lives in Quincy with her husband, Bill, with whom she has three sons.
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