Kelli Mark is the Director of Healthy Communities at the Sunflower Foundation, where she leads initiatives focused on food and nutrition security and oversees the Sunflower Trails program. This program supports communities across Kansas in creating safe, accessible trails and outdoor spaces that promote physical activity and connection with nature. Kelli also helps guide the foundation’s Food is Medicine efforts, emphasizing the vital role of nutrition in preventing and managing chronic disease.
Before joining Sunflower, Kelli worked for five years at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s Bureau of Family Health. During her time there, she held several leadership roles—including unit director, section chief, and director of administration and policy—before being named bureau chief. Earlier in her career, she spent a decade at St. Francis Health Center, further grounding her in community-focused health efforts.
A lifelong Kansan and Topeka native, Kelli brings a strong background in public health and a passion for wellness to her work. She holds an Associate of Liberal Studies from Barton Community College, a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition/Public Health from Kansas State University, and a Master of Public Administration from Wichita State University. Through her leadership, Kelli is helping build healthier communities across Kansas.