KCT - Kansas City Tomorrow

Congratulations, Daniel!! This is a very fitting role for you, we're excited to see what you accomplish at EnterpriseKC! Looking forward to the next chance for #KCTClass44 to connect so we can hear about it.

Our October (KCT) session was a powerful journey through the city's historical development projects and why understanding it is crucial for fostering inclusive and equitable economic growth in the future. Here’s a quick recap: 🚐 Dividing Lines Tour: We began with an eye-opening journey through Kansas City's redlining history, learning how past segregation practices still impact community development today. 🎷 American Jazz Museum: In the historic Blue Room, we heard from Ms. Muriel Boyd, who shared the story of Kansas City's rich jazz heritage and the cultural significance of the 18th & Vine Historic District. ⚾ Negro Leagues Baseball Museum: Bob Kendrick welcomed us and brought the rich history of Negro Leagues Baseball to life. He also introduced the museum's $25 million Capital Campaign to preserve and expand the legacy of Negro Leagues baseball, as well as how his team has used technology to engage a new generation. 🏗 Community Builders Of KC: We wrapped up the day with a tour led by Emmet Pierson Jr. who showcased his transformative projects that are reshaping KC's urban core. From housing to essential services like locally operated Sun Fresh grocery stores in known food deserts, Emmet's team is making a tangible difference. Their commitment to community-driven development highlights the importance of investing in neighborhoods often overlooked by traditional developers. (Next month we'll look deeper into some challenges community-focused developers have to overcome) This session reinforced the importance of honoring our history while driving equitable growth in Kansas City’s future. #KCTClass46

Congratulations LaVon Colhour, we're so happy for you!!

We kicked off our first full session for #KCTClass46 recently with powerful discussions on transportation and digital access! Our transportation panel, moderated by Heidi Eilers, AVP, PE (KCT Class 45 alum), explored key regional developments. Chris Gutierrez emphasized our strategic location, with 90-95% reach across the U.S. via rail, river, highway, and air. Tom Gerend highlighted how the streetcar is reshaping KC’s urban core, while Frank White, III and Ron Achelpohl discussed the pressing need for regional funding to create a sustainable transportation system, emphasizing the difficulty of providing multijurisdictional services without a dedicated source. Looking ahead, Councilwoman Melissa Robinson, MBA shared exciting World Cup 2026 transit planning efforts while discussing the perspectives of residents on Kansas City’s East Side. In the digital access panel, moderated by Anthony Luppino (UMKC), Jerry Buckman stressed that high-speed internet is a utility, not a luxury, resonating deeply with the class. Tammy Buckner, MBA, CSM and William Wells Jr. discussed the importance of digital literacy and empowering the next generation to be CREATORS, not just consumers. Anita Davis connected workforce development with tech skills, while Tamara Clark Sykes emphasized the need for culturally competent STEM education. Despite challenges in coordination, the panel agreed on the potential for funding, like the BEAD and Digital Equity Act, to close access gaps. - Missouri's 5-year action plan for BEAD: https://lnkd.in/gQ4RQPEK

#Introducing #KCTClass46 Class Member: Chad Becker - Chad is new to Kansas City and we're proud to introduce him to our city through the KCT program. Welcome, Chad B.! Chad Becker’s railroading journey began in 2002 when he joined Canadian National Railway as an Assistant trainmaster based in Champaign, Illinois. In 2013, he was promoted to Executive Operations Officer and assumed oversight and accountability for enhancing the efficiency, safety and profitability of railroad operations.   In 2018, Chad joined Canadian Pacific, serving as Managing Director – Corporate Heritage, Hospitality and Events before assuming the role of Chief of Staff – Office of the CEO. In his current role, he serves as the right hand of the CEO, managing high profile projects, ensuring strategic initiatives are effectively implemented and more.   Along with other departments and responsibilities, Chad leads the company’s community investment functions, which include CPKC Has Heart, a program that provides funding to organizations working to improve the heart health of people across North America, CPKC Stadium, the first stadium in the world purpose-build for a women’s professional sports team, and many more community investment initiatives.   On April 14, 2023, when Canadian Pacific combined with Kansas City Southern to create CPKC, the first and only railroad to connect Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, Chad and his family made the move to Kansas City, home of CPKC’s U.S. headquarters. 

Introducing #KCTClass46 Member: Emily West, CFP® - Welcome, Emily! Emily has been in banking and wealth management for 18 years, all in Kansas City. She is currently the Head of Wealth Planning for FCI Advisors/Midwest Trust. Emily grew up in Wichita, KS and attended Baylor University for her undergraduate. Moving to Kansas City after graduation, she was with UMB for 5 years, during which she attended UMKC for her MBA. Emily has been with FCI Advisors/Midwest Trust since 2011. She lives in Overland Park with her husband and three children, where she is currently serving on the board of the Blue Valley Educational Foundation.

Introducing #KCTClass46 Member: Dan Tesfay - Welcome, Dan! Dan Tesfay is a director of Research, Learning, and Evaluation Initiatives for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, where he provides leadership for coordinating all Research, Learning, and Evaluation initiatives to completion, acting as an integration manager assigned to synthesize internal and external program-related activity. Before joining the Kauffman Foundation, Tesfay was the Director of data and analytics at Education Cities. In that position, he oversaw data management, research, website design, and dashboard creation for the Education Equity Index project, a multi-year project spanning 45 states. Additionally, he developed models and forecasts to support strategic planning for city-based partnerships aimed at expanding high-quality schools for low-income students. Previously, he served as an Education Pioneers fellow in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas. During this time, he contributed to the launch of a collective impact initiative supported by the Communities Foundation of Texas. Tesfay began his career by leading market research and reputation management efforts for Fortune 100 companies across various industries, including retail, restaurant, airline, energy, and financial services.

Introducing #KCTClass46 Participant: Mary Spangler - Welcome, Mary! Mary Hurla Spangler is a tested and experienced nonprofit leader in the greater Kansas City area, having served most of her 30-year development career in higher education. Through her current leadership role with the Kansas City Kansas Community College Foundation and previous development roles with Donnelly College, Community Housing of Wyandotte County, Bishop Ward High School and the National Catholic Reporter, Mary has followed her passion for service to humankind. She has consistently built effective, comprehensive development programs and high performing teams resulting in successful multi-million-dollar endowment and capital campaigns. Mary is a mission-driven fundraiser at heart, collaborator, teacher and builder of strategic philanthropic relationships that work for the greater good and mutual benefit. She is experienced working in a variety of complex and diverse nonprofit missions with varying levels of board development and fundraising capacity. Mary brings breadth and depth of experiences to the organizations and communities she serves. A colleague endorsement on LinkedIn describes Mary best as a “dedicated, energetic, and loyal fundraiser who puts her whole heart and soul into each project and produces amazing results.” 

Introducing #KCTClass46 Member: Carrie Sherer - Welcome, Carrie! Carrie Sherer serves as the Government Relations Officer for Honeywell Federal Manufacturing & Technologies (FM&T), management and operating contractor of the Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC). KCNSC is one of eight sites under the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and is the primary site in the Nuclear Security Enterprise for procuring or producing nonnuclear parts and components for the nuclear stockpile. At Honeywell FM&T, Carrie is responsible for developing and executing government relations efforts at the federal, state, and local levels while maintaining compliance with all appropriate legal and contractual obligations. She has spent more than a decade in legislative affairs and corporate government relations. Carrie earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from William Jewell College and a master’s degree in political management from George Washington University. While studying at George Washington University, Carrie was a two-time recipient of the Bryce Harlow Fellowship.

Introducing #KCTClass46 Member Kate Sachse - Welcome, Kate! At Global Prairie, Kate Sachse helps the firm’s clients unlock their organizational purpose and drive growth and community impact. Global Prairie was founded 16 years ago on the belief that business should be a force for good. The firm is ranked fourth globally among 9,000+ B Corporations (B Corps), and is one of the first global marketing consultancies that is 100% employee owned, a B Corp and a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC).   As Managing Director of Client Partnership, Kate oversees the client partnership team that counsels clients across the healthcare, agriculture, sports, sustainability, higher education and philanthropy sectors.    Kate advises clients on how their marketing and brand strategy can best support their purpose and drive impact for their organization and their stakeholders.   Prior to Global Prairie, Kate worked in Washington, D.C. at one of the world’s largest marketing firms advising clients on public affairs and stakeholder engagement strategies.   Kate is a graduate of Davidson College. A Kansas City native, Kate has returned home after living in North Carolina, France, Washington, D.C. and Berlin, Germany.