Centurions Leadership Program

Today's Centurions Spotlight is Ryan Martin. Centurions has allowed him to look beyond his career goals and do more to serve the community! #CenturionsKC

📢 ATTENTION Apex, Pinnacle, & Centurions Alumni! 📢 Mark your calendars for our upcoming 80s ROLLER SKATING PARTY sponsored by Garver. Dust off your leg warmers & neon outfits as we take a groovy trip back to the vibrant era of big hair & classic hits! Whether you're a roller skating pro or a newbie, this is the perfect chance to show off your moves, make new friends, & enjoy some throwback tunes. Registration link & more details here: https://lnkd.in/gDHnBm66

Today's spotlight is Rebeca Swank! Centurions has helped Rebeca with personal and professional development.

Centurions has helped Jack Glickert develop his leadership skills as he continues to learn. #CenturionsKC

✨ REGISTER NOW✨ for the Centurions Women's Leadership Forum coming up in November. ***Open to all!*** This inclusive & engaging event will empower participants to break down barriers, tackle tough conversations, and create meaningful change towards a more equitable workforce for all. Registration link & more details here: https://lnkd.in/g3kdeCtk

Bernita Cauthon, thank you for your continued dedication and leadership to the Centurions Leadership Program! #CenturionsKC

The Apex Cohort kicked off our "Champions Era" at last month’s retreat, and it was an experience to remember! Over three days, we connected deeply with our cohort, explored new content, and grew both personally and professionally. We had the opportunity to dive into the Enneagram with Chelsea Laub (Centurions '24 Alum) and hear from a fantastic alumni panel (Angela Kennedy, Andrew Eanes and Jason Carter-Solomon) about their Centurions journey and life beyond the program. One of the most exciting moments was connecting with our Legacy Project partner, KC Farm School at Gibbs Road. We’re looking forward to supporting their mission throughout the year. Additionally, Joe Reardon shared insights into the incredible work the Chamber is doing for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026™ - Canada, Mexico and the United States. Of course, community service is at the core of the Centurions experience, and we were proud to support Newhouse, Child Protection Center, Inc. Kansas City, and KC Farm School during our retreat. From team-building activities and Boston trivia (our next benchmarking trip destination!) to healthy competition, the retreat was filled with unforgettable moments that strengthened our bond and focus. It’s clear: this is just the beginning of our #LeadLearnServe journey as Centurions!

Today's #CenturionsSpotlight is Krista Kutter, a co-chair of the Pinnacle class's Education Task Force & a member of the Recruiting Committee. Check out what Krista has to say about her most impactful experiences in Centurions thus far. #LearnServeLead

Today's #CenturionsSpotlight is Erin Savidge Wiercinski, a co-chair of the Pinnacle class's Education Task Force & a member of the Legacy Committee. Check out what Erin has to say below about why she wanted to co-chair the Education Task Force -- & cast a light on special education in particular. #LearnServeLead

Our September 2024 Pinnacle Task brought empathy & intelligence to a beautifully crafted day addressing Special Education in KC. Led by exceptional chairs Krista Kutter, Erin Savidge Wiercinski, & Larry Lewis – along with team-members Connor Uptegrove, Jeremy Davis, CRIS, Kaylyn Brandt, CPA, Tom Moibi, Joseph Quijano, & Jessica Jackson – the September Task Force cast a spotlight on the critical role special education plays in shaping the lives of children with disabilities, as well as parents, professionals, & surrounding communities. ◾The day opened with an overview of the special education environment in KC by Dr. Jenee Johnson, Ph.D., BCBA, at University of Missouri-Kansas City. Dr. Johnson addressed the need for better funding & more inclusive programming, & commented, “There’s this notion that special education is all about being patient & kind. That is true. But special education is not at its crux about just being patient: It is about specially designed & effective instruction.” ◾Next, Mia Gonzalez moderated a panel with Kristina Collins, MSOD, Director of Pre-K & Early Childhood at SchoolSmartKC; Tamara Graves, Mental Health / Disability Manager for the Head Start Program at Mid-America Regional Council; Lauren Gore, Special Education Administrator for the Blue Valley School District; & Kia Walsh, CEO of Sherwood Autism Center. The panelists discussed adopting a mentality of relentless incrementalism, as well as speaking directly with teachers & parents, to drive improved outcomes for children with special needs. ◾Centurions then had the opportunity to tour various KC organizations oriented around providing comprehensive care to individuals with disabilities, including Behavioral Health Allies, the Children's Center for the Visually Impaired (CCVI), & Sherwood Autism Center. ◾After lunch, Centurions participated in a superb empathy-building disability simulation led by Vicki Asher at Horizon Academy (KS), delivering a profound understanding of what a typical day is like for someone with a learning disability. ◾Amy Nigro Connealy – a member of our very own Pinnacle Class of 2025 – then moderated a Lived Experience Panel with Antoinette Redmond, MBA, disability advocate & parent to two kiddos with disabilities; Alisha Cason, certified special education teacher; Laura Burke, disability advocate & parent to a child with various disabilities; & Jennifer, an individual with an intellectual disability, each of whom were able to share their experiences with the special education infrastructure in KC. ◾We wrapped up the day with an ice cream social provided by The Golden Scoop, a local KC nonprofit with a mission to provide employment for individuals with development disabilities. Thank you to our sponsors, CBIZ, Honeywell, McCownGordon Construction, & Amy Nigro Connealy, as well as to Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City for providing a gorgeous venue for much of the day's programming, & thanks as always to our task force team!