Our Team
Turning a conversation Into Action for Lupus.
La Tanya Pitts-Lipprand
CEO & Founder
La Tanya Pitts-Lipprand is the Founder and President of Marlene’s Kaleidoscope, a nonprofit Lupus advocacy organization serving the Greater Kansas City area. La Tanya was born and raised in Kansas City and is a lupus survivor of 27 years. After a high-risk pregnancy, her health spiraled and was given only 3 years to live. Determined to survive and thrive, she committed herself to become an expert on everything Lupus.
La Tanya’s fierce dedication lead to her becoming the model, educator, and resource for not only survivors but doctors. She quickly developed a vision for creating a support network to help survivors with diagnosis, treatment, pain management, and personal support.
Now, with momentum building for Marlene's Kaleidoscope, she is even more committed to growing awareness, improving the quality of life for survivors and ultimately finding a cure.
La Tanya Pitts-Lipprand is the Founder and President of Marlene’s Kaleidoscope, a nonprofit Lupus advocacy organization serving the Greater Kansas City area. La Tanya was born and raised in Kansas City and is a lupus survivor of 27 years. After a high-risk pregnancy, her health spiraled and was given only 3 years to live. Determined to survive and thrive, she committed herself to become an expert on everything Lupus.
La Tanya’s fierce dedication lead to her becoming the model, educator, and resource for not only survivors but doctors. She quickly developed a vision for creating a support network to help survivors with diagnosis, treatment, pain management, and personal support.
Now, with momentum building for Marlene's Kaleidoscope, she is even more committed to growing awareness, improving the quality of life for survivors and ultimately finding a cure.
Shawn Allen-Echols
Executive Director
My name is Shawna Allen-Echols, and I am an Associate Director of the Network Development with United Healthcare. I have been with United for 10 years, where I have the pleasure of working with a wonderful team of people who make sure that we deliver the best possible rates in healthcare for our customers in Kansas and Northwest Missouri area. My passion for healthcare started when I was hired as a provider advocate at Children’s Mercy Family Health Partners, which was a Missouri Medicaid Managed Care Plan.
I am a wife and mother of a seven-year-old. My husband and I are foster parents and have been since 2018. Foster parenting has allowed us the opportunity to adopt a child, which I call my “missing piece.” My passion is for people; helping people is my love. I served on the board for Operation Breakthrough for five years and being a part of organizations that support and help people also help me find purpose in what God has for me to do. One of my personal interests is reforming the foster care system to make it better for the children and foster
parents who serve them in the State of Missouri.
I have been asked to serve as a board member for Marlene’s Kaleidoscope which is an organization that my dear friend started to get the conversation started about Lupus. I am excited about this next chapter because her passion has ignited in me a fire to movethis organization to the next level.
December 28, 2022
My name is Shawna Allen-Echols, and I am an Associate Director of the Network Development with United Healthcare. I have been with United for 10 years, where I have the pleasure of working with a wonderful team of people who make sure that we deliver the best possible rates in healthcare for our customers in Kansas and Northwest Missouri area. My passion for healthcare started when I was hired as a provider advocate at Children’s Mercy Family Health Partners, which was a Missouri Medicaid Managed Care Plan.
I am a wife and mother of a seven-year-old. My husband and I are foster parents and have been since 2018. Foster parenting has allowed us the opportunity to adopt a child, which I call my “missing piece.” My passion is for people; helping people is my love. I served on the board for Operation Breakthrough for five years and being a part of organizations that support and help people also help me find purpose in what God has for me to do. One of my personal interests is reforming the foster care system to make it better for the children and foster
parents who serve them in the State of Missouri.
I have been asked to serve as a board member for Marlene’s Kaleidoscope which is an organization that my dear friend started to get the conversation started about Lupus. I am excited about this next chapter because her passion has ignited in me a fire to movethis organization to the next level.
December 28, 2022
Kelly Lipprand
Co-Founder and CTO
Experienced, trustworthy, fun. These are just a few of the ways coworkers
describe this invaluable member of our team.
Experienced, trustworthy, fun. These are just a few of the ways coworkers
describe this invaluable member of our team.
Karice Duncan
Program Director
Kraice Duncan joined MK4LUPUS with the vision and drive to improve upon our vision and focused on
developing the organization with experience and integrity.
Kraice Duncan joined MK4LUPUS with the vision and drive to improve upon our vision and focused on
developing the organization with experience and integrity.
Volunteer Your Time
Are you someone who has been affected by Lupus – whether as a survivor, family member, friend or caregiver? If so, we need you!
Marlene’s Kaleidoscope isn’t just looking for any volunteer, we need people who have intimate knowledge and personal experience with Lupus to help further our cause.
If you fulfill the following, we’d love to talk more!
Checked all boxes? Email us a brief description of yourself and why you’d like to help make an impact at [email protected] or call 573-738-8684 today.
Marlene’s Kaleidoscope isn’t just looking for any volunteer, we need people who have intimate knowledge and personal experience with Lupus to help further our cause.
If you fulfill the following, we’d love to talk more!
- Have personally been affected by Lupus
- Are invested in growing awareness to help those suffering from Lupus
- Have a giving sprit and are willing to donate your time and talents
- Can dedicate 2-5 hours per week
Checked all boxes? Email us a brief description of yourself and why you’d like to help make an impact at [email protected] or call 573-738-8684 today.