About MADP
Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty (MADP) is the only statewide organization dedicated solely to ending capital punishment in Missouri through advocacy, education, and community engagement.
Our History
Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty was formed in 1987 as a grassroots coalition of individuals and organizations committed to ending capital punishment in Missouri. From the beginning, MADP has worked to highlight the injustice and human cost of the death penalty.
In its early years, MADP organized vigils, public forums, and community outreach to raise awareness about executions in Missouri. Over time, the organization grew into a statewide network, bringing together people of faith, civic leaders, legal advocates, families of the incarcerated, and concerned citizens.
For over three decades, MADP has stood alongside those on death row and their families, supported clemency efforts, and worked to amplify the voices of exonerees and justice-impacted communities. The organization continues to educate the public, engage policymakers, and mobilize Missourians toward the shared goal of ending the death penalty once and for all.
Meet the Team
Heidi S. Moore, Ph.D., Executive Director
Heidi Moore is the Executive Director of Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty (MADP), where she leads statewide efforts to abolish the death penalty.
Dr. Moore holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy Analysis from Saint Louis University, a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Central Missouri, and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Drury University. Her career began with the Missouri Department of Corrections, where she worked at Potosi Correctional Center with individuals under a death sentence. She later directed reentry housing programs for men through a Catholic nonprofit, serving people returning home after decades in prison, including veterans and those without community support.
With over 20 years of experience working with justice-impacted individuals, Dr. Moore brings both professional expertise and personal perspective to her leadership, including surviving childhood sexual abuse and assault and having family members incarcerated in the state and federal systems. She has taught criminal justice courses at multiple universities and remains active in advocacy networks, including All of Us or None – St. Louis and Seeds of Justice.
Dr. Moore is committed to building coalitions, expanding community partnerships, and ensuring that MADP continues its critical mission: ending the death penalty in Missouri once and for all.
Board Members
Nimrod Chapel, Jr., Board Chair
Nimrod is the founder and owner of The Chapel Law Group, President of the Missouri State NAACP Conference, and a life member and President of the Jefferson City, Missouri NAACP. Rod also served as General Counsel/Director of Legal Services for the Missouri Department of Revenue. Before returning to the State of Missouri, he worked in Kansas City as a trial lawyer and was active in area bar associations and the community. Rod strongly believes in community service, serving on several boards, including the YMCA, Boy Scouts of America, MADP, Protect Your Right to Vote, Rotary, and Missouri Kids First. Abolition is a game-changer for the NAACP on the national level – Rod has prioritized abolition at the Missouri State Conference.
Edward “Bob” Ronan, Vice Chair
Bob worked at Westinghouse for 28 years before retiring early. He then completed his Ph.D. and taught engineering at the University of Missouri-Kansas City until 2006. While living in Jefferson City, Bob was in a Catholic group that visited persons in prison at the maximum-security prison. He made many friends there, including some with death sentences – a couple of them were executed.
Rob Schaeffer, Treasurer
Rob is a Certified Public Accountant from Springfield, Missouri. Rob’s commitment to the abolition of the death penalty is grounded in a single and simple belief – that the work of the soul and the grace of God is not to be lightly toyed with.
Donna Walmsley, Secretary
Donna has a background in Sociology and Theology and taught at Springfield Catholic High School for several years.
Dr. Wiley Miller, Columbia Chapter Leader
Wiley is a psychologist in private practice in Columbia, Missouri, and a retired adjunct faculty member of the University of Missouri. Wiley represents the Mid-Missouri Fellowship of Reconciliation and the Community Remembrance Project of Missouri.
Margaret Phillips, St. Louis Chapter Leader
Margaret has served on the Board as well as the St. Louis chapter since 1989. Margaret taught Latin, Greek, and Greek civilization at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Beginning with the anti-Vietnam War protests and civil rights demonstrations in the ‘60s, Margaret moved to crime and punishment issues and has been an active part of activist groups across St. Louis.
Fr Mark Miller
Fred Slough
Katie Masterwell