Our Team

Bunny Higgins graduated from Emporia State University with a B.S. in Rehabilitation Services and Education and a M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling.

Bunny has over 35 years of experience working in the human service field. She has served in a variety of positions, providing direct care as a nursing assistant, medication aid, restorative therapy, job development, job placement, and job coaching. Bunny continued her career at the administration level developing programs along with grant writing, financial and supervisory responsibilities.  She also traveled for 5 years with CARF (Commission of Accreditation Rehabilitation Facilities) as a surveyor. Her primary objective as a surveyor was quality and results.

Bunny started with Heartstrings Community Foundation as a consultant in September 2001. In January 2002 she was hired as the Program Developer and was promoted to Executive Director in 2004.

Heartstring Community Foundation has been a dream come true for Bunny. She has been instrumental in developing a service for adults with intellectual developmental disabilities like none other in the country.

Bunny enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, reading inspirational books, traveling, horseback riding, and fly fishing.

Bunny’s passion is assisting in making a lasting change in peoples’ lives.

Claire Crowley graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a B.S. in Human Development and Family Sciences, along with a Multicultural Certificate.

Claire has over 5 years of experience as a Direct Support Professional in the human services field. During her time at the University of Missouri, she volunteered for a variety of organizations, including The Ronald McDonald House, Boys and Girls Club, Special Olympics, and local food pantries.

Claire started with Heartstrings as an intern in January of 2017, while completing her Bachelor’s Degree. In May of 2017, she filled an open position as a full time Team Leader. In December of the same year she became the Assistant Goody Delivery Manager. In February of 2019, Claire was promoted to Goody Delivery Manager. In December of 2020, she was promoted to the Director of Human Services. She is also serving on Johnson County’s Quality Assurance Committee.

When Claire started at Heartstrings, she quickly found that working with adults in the I/DD community was a passion of hers. She knew that working at Heartstrings would not only fill her new passion, but give her the opportunity to learn from a very talented and experienced team. Claire now shares a vision of growth for Heartstrings and continues to use her knowledge and skills to assist in that journey.

Claire enjoys spending time with her family and friends as much as possible. She also enjoys watching movies, listening to podcasts, and going on long walks with her husband, son, and dog.

Deb McQuay is a proud graduate of Osawatomie High School and brings over 25 years of experience in the human services field. Her career has included a variety of roles—from providing direct care as a nurse’s aide to serving as a residential and day service provider, and later as an employment specialist for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), where she offered job development, placement, and coaching services.

Deb joined Heartstrings Community Foundation in May 2010 as a Job Coach and Office Support staff member. In 2012, she was promoted to Store Manager while continuing to support office operations and provide job coaching. Her leadership and organizational skills led to her promotion to Office Manager in 2015, where she further expanded her responsibilities to include managing the Heartstrings database, overseeing the OneCause fundraising platform, and supporting the Development Department with fundraising and financial goals.

In 2024, Deb stepped into the role of Director of Event Management, where she now leads the planning and execution of Heartstrings’ successful events. Her dedication and passion have made her a cornerstone of the organization, and she has been instrumental in helping adults with I/DD achieve meaningful employment and personal growth.

Deb finds great fulfillment in the diverse work offered by Heartstrings and takes pride in making a difference in the lives of others.

Outside of work, Deb enjoys spending time with her husband, Brian, and their grandchildren. She loves fishing, boating, gardening, and cheering on the Royals, Chiefs, and NASCAR. Most of all, she treasures attending her grandchildren’s sporting and school events.

Deb’s passion lies in knowing that her work helps make people’s lives better—one success story at a time.