The Centurions Leadership Program is open to anyone whose employer is a member of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. If you would like more information about the Centurions program, email Lindsay Jarquio.
Applicants are selected on the basis of a written application, recommendations, and personal interviews. The program selects a group of people from diverse backgrounds, both personally and professionally, each with strong potential as a future community leader.
An annual tuition, which covers the orientation retreat, incidental meeting expenses and task force expenses will be required before the start of Retreat and may be paid by the individual, their employer, or a sponsoring organization. Limited scholarships based on financial need are available. A company may have a participant represented in the Apex and Pinnacle cohort, but not more than one in each cohort.
Upon completion of your application, you will be sent an invoice for the application fee, as well as information to set up an interview. All applicants will be notified of their status by February 7, 2025. The $75 application fee can be paid online via the link in the invoice or by check to the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City Foundation.
Annual tuition for the program year is as follows:
The tuition payment covers the orientation retreat, incidental meeting expenses, and task force expenses. Tuition is paid at the beginning of each year and is due no later than the start of the Centurions’ Annual Retreat and is non-refundable.
All Centurions have the option of participating in the annual benchmarking trip, which serves as the April Task Force (Apex) and October Task Force (Pinnacle) and is not mandatory. An additional fee of approximately $1,500 to $1,900 will be required to attend. Participants who will not be attending are not required to pay this fee. Anyone who notifies the KC Chamber that they are unable to attend by the date that is communicated in advance will be refunded the fee. Trip Scholarships are available.
Centurions Leadership Program is committed to assisting participants who need financial assistance to pay program tuition. Three types of scholarships are available:
A General Scholarship is available to participants based on a variety of factors including but not limited to: financial need, adding diversity to the program, or the nature of the organization employing the candidate. The number of scholarships and amounts awarded vary by year.
The Alumni Association Scholarship is available to small business owners and entrepreneurs. Up to two scholarships are awarded annually for both Apex and Pinnacle cohorts.
A Women’s Leadership Scholarship for the Centurions Leadership Program is available and funded by the Women’s Leadership sponsors. The Women’s Leadership scholarship, once awarded, will carry over and be applied to the second year tuition for each recipient.
An Alumni Legacy Scholarship is awarded every two years, covers the full cost of tuition and Benchmarking trip fees for a diverse professional working to create equity within diverse communities. Apply Here by 11:59 p.m. January 15, 2025.
With the exception of the Alumni Legacy Scholarship, all scholarships are limited to 50 percent of tuition for the two year program.
Recruitment activities, which begin in the spring (Apex) or fall (Pinnacle), include socials, information sessions, and select Centurions programming. If you would like to be informed of these events, e-mail Lindsay Jarquio your contact information and check the calendar.
Annual tuition for the program year is as follows:
An optional charge of approximately $1,500 to $1,900 will be assessed to all incoming and active Centurions for their participation in the annual benchmarking trip.
One letter from your employer is required, but up to three letters of recommendation can be submitted. Applicants may wish to solicit more than one letter in case one or more do not arrive in time to meet the application deadline.
Letters should come from individuals who know you well and can vouch for your ability to learn, serve, and lead. One letter of recommendation must come from your employer. Supervisors, chief executives, board members, volunteer coordinators, fellow volunteers, professional contacts, clients, and family friends are all potential references.
Letters may accompany the application when you submit it online, or you may request that your references submit their letters separately. In this case, letters should be mailed to:
Centurions Leadership Program
Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce
30 W. Pershing Road, Suite 301
Kansas City, MO 64108
or emailed to jarquio@www.kcchamber.com.
As they enter the program, Centurions have varying levels of community involvement. Some have already served on nonprofit boards, while others are just beginning to explore how they can best make an impact. If you are looking for ways to get involved, the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation and Nonprofit Connect are great resources.
Chamber staff will be happy to assist you in determining your company’s membership status. Please e-mail Lindsay Jarquio, or feel free to search our online member directory.
Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce
30 West Pershing Road, Suite 301
Kansas City, MO 64108-2423
Membership in the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce aligns your company with the region’s largest and most influential Chamber and immediately strengthens your ability to succeed.
