Lori Bishop – Executive Director

Lori has over 37 years of experience in nonprofit management and is responsible for fiscal and program management. A native Kansan, Lori is actively involved in the community and serves on several committees.

Lori has served on the Board of Directors for the Flint Hills Veterans Coalition, Kansas Association of Senior Corps Directors, and National Association of RSVP Directors. She was appointed to the Governor’s Board Sub-Committee for Service Members, Veterans & Families.

Lori was a member of the 2011 Leadership Manhattan Class and the 2011 American Express Leadership Academy. Lori has received recognition for her work on behalf of the Flint Hills Veterans Coalition and was presented the Lady Victory Coin by former Brig. Gen. Sean Swindell, the Deputy commanding general (maneuver), 1st Inf. Div. and Fort Riley; and was given the Medallion of Excellence Award by the Flint Hills Veterans Coalition. 

Lori has three sons and five grandchildren. In her spare time, she enjoys K-State sports, traveling, reading, and spending time with her family. Lori’s favorite holiday is Christmas and all the hustle and bustle of shopping and decorating!

Karen Paulus – Program Services Coordinator

Karen Paulus is the Program Services Coordinator with FHVC with over a decade of non-profit experience. A Virginia native, Karen is an AmeriCorps VISTA alumna where she worked with a refugee resettlement agency, she led the Community Service Center at California Lutheran University, and was the Hawaii Chapter Director with Blue Star Families while stationed on Oahu prior to moving to Manhattan.  Karen has her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Christopher Newport University and her Master of Science in Education from Old Dominion University.  

When not working, Karen is often exploring Kansas or spending a quiet moment with friends.  She also enjoys reading, bowling, attending local sporting events, and the company of her husband, daughter, and their cats, Larry & George. 

Aillene Aquino- Volunteer Coordinator

Aillene Aquino is the Volunteer Coordinator for the Flint Hills Volunteer Center. She worked at the Volunteer Center in 2017 prior to her moving overseas due to her husband’s job. She was born and raised in the Philippines and graduated from the University of Santo Tomas.

Being a military spouse, she spent most of her time volunteering in multiple capacities. She also held positions in the Soldier and Family Readiness Group at every level from battery to battalion and continued to volunteer in the local church and community. She is married to her husband Alex for 16 years and they have 2 children Aaden and Arabelle who are both in middle school, and a Pomeranian fur baby named Ace.

She loves spending time with family, listening to music and traveling as an avid foodie.

Mason Bake- Program Manager; Kansas City Area

Mason has worked with several nonprofits in the Kansas City area. He recently worked as a volunteer coordinator with Harvesters the Community Food Network.

Mason graduated from William Jewell College with a BA in Nonprofit Leadership Studies and is currently working on his Masters in Public Administration at UMKC. He recently got married and honeymooned in Hawaii.

Mason is a big Kansas City Chiefs fan and enjoys board games, reading, and tv shows.

Abby Muth- Connecting Students to Communities Intern

Abby was born and raised in Great Bend, Kansas. She graduated from Great Bend High School in 2022 and Graduated from Barton Community College in 2023 with her associate in science. She is now attending Kansas State University where she is going into Integrative Human Sciences.
 
She loves spending time with her friends and family, going to football games, and traveling.