FROM THE KC CHAMBER’S PRESIDENT AND CEO
There is no place like home; however, it’s always a good idea to travel to vibrant areas to discover what can make your hometown even better. The 2024 Leadership Exchange trip to Minneapolis-St. Paul offered several key lessons for leaders in the Kansas City region. One major takeaway was the focus on early childhood education, where the Twin Cities have invested significantly in expanding access to high-quality early learning programs. This emphasis on starting education early has demonstrated long-term benefits in closing achievement gaps and improving literacy rates. Our delegation saw the importance of not only funding such initiatives but also ensuring equitable access.
Economic development strategies in the Twin Cities provided another crucial learning point as they have embraced an inclusive growth model that highlights workforce development, housing affordability and support for small businesses, particularly in underrepresented communities. Conversations underscored the need for Kansas City to continue strengthening efforts to foster a robust, diverse economy that is future-proofed against challenges while ensuring that all communities benefit from growth. Their regional approach to safe and accessible transit is an important component.
Leadership Exchange participants also explored how the Twin Cities have leveraged sports infrastructure as a tool for urban revitalization and economic impact. Minneapolis-St. Paul has integrated stadiums into the urban fabric, fostering community engagement, tourism and local business growth. This experience showed Kansas City leaders how to better harness the power of sports facilities not just for entertainment but also as engines for broader development, including nearby housing and retail, further driving regional economic and social vibrancy.
The Kansas City region thrives when united around common goals, a fact reinforced by Leadership Exchange. Each trip refires our commitment to regional collaboration, so anticipate even more determined efforts to promote a shared vision for our bistate community.
ATHENA AWARDS RECEPTION
The KC Chamber invites you to join us in celebrating this year’s ATHENA honorees – Qiana Thomason, President and CEO of Health Forward Foundation, and Kamera Meaney, Director of Advocacy and Government Relations at University Health – at an awards reception on Wednesday, October 16, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Starlight Theatre’s Jeannette and Jerome Cohen Community Stage House (4600 Starlight Rd., KCMO). The cost to attend is $55 for Chamber members or $70 for non-members. The ATHENA Leadership Award is presented to individuals honored for professional excellence, community service, and for actively assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills. The ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award is a natural extension of the awards program and is presented to emerging leaders across professional sectors for exemplary leadership. Learn more and reserve your spot today!
We are grateful to our Presenting Sponsors at KPMG and UMB for helping make this annual celebration possible.
TALKING TRADE: COFFEE & NETWORKING
Join World Trade Center – Kansas City and Port KC, along with other area business leaders, for a morning of coffee and networking on Thursday, October 17, from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m., at Port KC (110 Berkley Plaza, KCMO) to discuss international trade topics with like-minded individuals. Whether you are a seasoned expert in international trade, or just starting out, this event provides an informal platform to connect with peers and international service providers. Space is limited. Please register now to secure your spot.
HEALTHY KC NETWORKING FORUM: ADVANCING HEALTH EQUITY FOR MINORITY WOMEN
Join Healthy KC for our next Networking Forum focused on Advancing Health Equity for Minority Women on Thursday, October 17, from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m., at the University of Kansas Medical Center (3724 Cambridge, KCKS). The systemically worse health outcomes for minority women are well known. With the problem identified, how can we work to close that gap and improve health equity in minority women? Our panelists will discuss what employers can do to improve health equity and the important role of personal health advocacy in early detection and prevention. Register today for this free event!
AUTHENTICO DEI CERTIFICATE OF MASTERY & CAPSTONE
If you’ve been following the journey of Authentico’s first cohort of Kansas City area professionals engaged in deeper learning on DEI topics, you’ve likely seen exciting engagement and interactive lessons. Registration will soon begin for a second cohort that will start in March 2025. The 16-month program is open to DEI professionals, Human Resources leaders and other industry managers and executives looking to discover real solutions to building inclusive organizational environments that inspire cultures of belonging. Cohort size is limited to 30 people who are led by Dr. Andrea Hendricks, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at Authentico, and Dr. Shirley Davis, President of SDS Global Enterprises, who are global thought leaders in diversity, equity and inclusion. To indicate interest and reserve your spot in the program, please email Greg Valdovino, our Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, at valdovino@www.kcchamber.com.
