Prior to joining the Missouri Immunization Coalition, Lawrence served as the Chief Executive Officer of Local Motion, an organization dedicated to improving transportation options for communities. There, he advocated for sustainable transportation equity that addresses the needs of vulnerable populations, an experience that fueled his understanding of how systemic issues impact access to vital resources like healthcare.
A father and resident of Columbia, Missouri, Lawrence believes that when communities are equipped with the right tools—whether in transportation or healthcare—everyone thrives. He is passionate about working toward a future where immunizations are universally accessible and preventable diseases are no longer a threat. In his personal life, Lawrence enjoys riding his bike to work and school with his children, embodying the values of health, community, and sustainability that he advocates for in his professional life.
John Shelby serves the Missouri Immunization Coalition as Director of Communications. As an accomplished communicator, John works closely with the MIC’s Executive Director to coordinate communications efforts central to MIC’s mission of promoting immunizations, preventing disease, and protecting all Missourians.
Before joining the Missouri Immunization Coalition, John worked as a journalist for 23 years. He managed and led newsrooms from Washington State to New York State. John has successfully completed the Poynter Institutes Leadership for TV and Radio News Directors program. A program designed to challenge, mentor and develop newsroom leaders. The Poynter Institute is recognized as a “global leader in journalism.”
Subsequently, John worked as a communications director and legislative aide in the Missouri Senate. Most recently, he served as an adjunct professor at State Fair Community College, where he taught public speaking.
John graduated from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications. He also holds a Master of Arts in Communications Management from Webster University.
Kelechi Onyeaka has been supporting disease-prevention strategies and policies for many years in different countries. Serving as a Public Health Educator for Missouri Immunization Coalition (MIC), he aids the organization’s efforts to reduce the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases by providing statewide training and programs that promote vaccine uptake. His efforts also include creating and distributing promotional and educational resources to support Local Public Health Agencies, Federally Qualified Health Agencies, small rural and critical access hospitals to encourage vaccination among diverse audiences.
Before joining MIC, Kelechi was a Fellow at the Community Health Center in Connecticut, where he worked on improving healthcare services to underserved populations. In addition, he has international experiences that enhance access to Human Immunodeficiency Virus services among the general and most-at-risk population in the Nigerian Public Health sector. One of his most rewarding career accomplishments is his contribution to improving access to routine immunization for children. This effort led Nigeria to be declared polio-free by the World Health Organization.
In addition to his work experiences, Kelechi has co-authored academic papers in peer-reviewed journals on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among African Americans and the role of health promotion programs in improving the wellbeing of African Americans in Mid-Missouri.
Kelechi holds a master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Missouri, Columbia where he is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Health and Rehabilitation Science with emphasis on public health.