Note: bios will be added as we receive them from the presenters..
Mayra Aguirre
Mayra Aguirre is a dedicated leader and community advocate, focused on long-term impact by uplifting the strengths and potential within communities. With a strong foundation in philanthropy, community development, and strategic partnership-building, she brings her skills, knowledge, and personal experiences to addressing systemic barriers and creating opportunities for all. As a first-generation Latinx college graduate, Mayra is driven by a passion for amplifying community voices and working towards inclusive progress that reflects the diverse strengths of every community.
Born and raised in Emporia, Kansas, as the daughter of immigrant parents, Mayra witnessed the challenges faced by working-class families firsthand. This experience instilled a lifelong commitment to elevating community voice, guiding her career toward roles where she could have a meaningful impact on the lives of others. Mayra has made it her mission to lead with empathy and actively listen to community members, recognizing their strengths and contributions in shaping a better future.
Mayra holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Kansas School of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Emporia State University. Her educational background, combined with her extensive work experience in philanthropy and nonprofit management, equips her with a unique perspective on the intersection of donor intent, community needs, and organizational impact.
Since 2020, Mayra has served as the President of the Hall Family Foundation, where she leads the Foundation’s strategic direction and collaborates with community partners to support initiatives that enhance the quality of life in Greater Kansas City. Mayra is dedicated to ensuring that the Foundation’s grantmaking is informed by the voices of those most affected by the issues at hand, from nonprofit leaders to educators and youth.
Before becoming President, Mayra held key roles at the Hall Family Foundation, including Vice President and Secretary, where she contributed to the organization’s work in children, youth, and families, health, and neighborhood revitalization. She also served as Executive Director of the Greater Kansas City Hispanic Development Fund and Senior Program Officer at the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, where she gained valuable insight into strategic philanthropy and community engagement.
Mayra’s commitment to creating lasting change extends beyond her professional career. She currently serves on several boards, including the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, KC2026 World Cup, and the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy. Additionally, she co-chairs the Greater Kansas City Asset Funders Network. These roles reflect her dedication to collaboration across sectors and her ongoing efforts to build stronger, more resilient communities.
Leslie Anderson
Leslie Anderson is a seasoned C-Suite coach with over 2,500 hours of experience helping senior leaders align with their values, navigate complexity, and foster thriving cultures. Her empathetic, strategic approach builds trust across all levels, earning her a role as a trusted advisor in high-stakes environments. In 2024, Leslie co-founded Essential Wisdom. The flagship program, Essential Wisdom Coaching Skills for Leaders, equips executives with a coaching-driven leadership style rooted in emotional intelligence and systemic awareness.
Her career includes leadership roles in luxury retail brands and professional services. Leslie holds advanced degrees in Organizational Development and Business and is certified in multiple leadership assessments.
Her coaching spans industries from finance and tech to healthcare and education.
Mary Mooney Burns
Mary Mooney Burns is a mission-driven leader and consultant with over 30 years of cross-sector experience in the nonprofit field. As the CEO and Founder of OnBoard KC, she leads efforts to connect engaged volunteers with purpose-driven nonprofit boards and offers strategic board consulting services that enhance board diversity, engagement, and effectiveness. Through her consulting company, MMB Connect, Mary also works closely with nonprofits to elevate their philanthropic impact by implementing a tailored donor-investor approach.
Before founding her own ventures, Mary served as Vice President of Advancement at Rockhurst University. Over her ten-year tenure, she led transformative initiatives, strengthened alumni and stakeholder relations, and successfully raised over $100 million to further the university’s mission. Her extensive experience also includes leadership roles with the YMCA of Greater Kansas City, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and the Park Hill School District.
Mary holds a BS in Communications and Nonprofit Leadership, as well as an Executive MBA certification in Advancement Leadership from Rockhurst University. She is a Certified Nonprofit Professional through the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance and a BoardSource-certified consultant.
Mary and her husband Brian have three adult daughters and live in Kansas City, MO.
DeAngela Burns-Wallace, Ed.D.
Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace is president and chief executive officer of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, a private, nonpartisan foundation that provides access to opportunities that help people achieve financial stability, upward mobility, and economic prosperity – regardless of race, gender, or geography.
Working across the public service, academic, and philanthropic sectors, Dr. Burns-Wallace carries a career commitment to enriching and strengthening equitable economic mobility. With Ewing Kauffman’s vision serving as the centerpiece for the Kauffman Foundation, Dr. Burns-Wallace guided a comprehensive community engagement process to solidify the Foundation’s enduring bond with Kansas City and renew its focus on college access and completion, workforce and career development, and entrepreneurship.
Prior to joining the Kauffman Foundation, Dr. Burns-Wallace was the secretary of administration and the chief information technology officer for the State of Kansas under Governor Laura Kelly. She was the first African American to hold either cabinet seat in the state’s history.
Dr. Burns-Wallace’s career in higher education includes serving as vice provost at the University of Kansas, assistant vice provost at the University of Missouri, and assistant dean at Stanford University. She began her career as a diplomat with the U.S. Department of State, serving tours in China, South Africa, and in Washington D.C.
Service is a cornerstone of Dr. Burns-Wallace’s journey. She was elected to the Stanford University Board of Trustees in 2020, and she has held board roles in numerous local, regional, and national organizations including the College Board and Heart of Missouri United Way. She was recently elected as a life member to the prestigious Council on Foreign Relations.
While her career has taken Dr. Burns-Wallace around the world, she has never been far from the neighborhoods of Kansas City where she was raised and drew inspiration for leading a life of service. Her most important title is mom to her son, Xavier.
Christina Cowart
Christina Cowart is the Regional Senior Manager for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) where she has worked for the past 7 years to mobilize volunteers around policy efforts to reduce the cancer burden. She has previously worked in community mental health and on criminal justice reform efforts. Christina earned her B.S. in Sociology from Baker University and a Master’s Degree in Macro Practice Social Work from the University of Kansas. She is passionate about advancing equitable health outcomes through policy reform, advocacy, and community-centered solutions. Feel free to connect with her on LinkedIn.
Kathleen Holmes
Kathleen Holmes is an accomplished nonprofit leader with more than three decades of experience in philanthropy, advocacy, and organizational development. Since 2022, she has served as Director of Development at the Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired (CCVI), leading fundraising and donor engagement to support early intervention and educational programs for children who are blind or visually impaired.
Prior to CCVI, Kathleen was Senior Director of Philanthropy at Planned Parenthood Great Plains and Director of Development for Legal Aid of Western Missouri, where she built partnerships and strategies that strengthened community services and access to justice. She also served as State Coordinator for Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty and worked as a consultant supporting nonprofits across the Kansas City area.
Kathleen is known for her collaborative leadership style and commitment to relationship-driven philanthropy.
Ryan Hudnall
Ryan Hudnall serves as the Executive Director of Della Lamb Community Services, joining Della Lamb in that role in 2019.
Hudnall received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Truman State University, double majoring in accounting and business administration with a minor in economics. During his time at Truman State, Hudnall was recognized as the 2007 Wall Street Journal’s Student Achievement Award Winner and designated the Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Business Administration (2007) and Outstanding Graduate Student in Accounting (2008).
Hudnall joined the international public accounting firm KPMG in Kansas City, MO, serving for seven years as a Certified Public Accountant in the audit practice. While at KPMG, Hudnall was a nominee for the Chairman’s Award for Excellence in Volunteerism and was granted multiple sabbaticals for short-term leave to reflect upon issues facing those across the globe, including a six-month stint in Haiti in 2014 to reflection upon the intersection of poverty, orphan care, education, and economic development. In 2015, Hudnall joined The Global Orphan Project as Engagement Director, supporting development efforts for international and domestic initiatives. Hudnall’s efforts to support vulnerable and marginalized children at The Global Orphan Project led him to Lebanon, where the hospitality and service of a local church toward Syrian refugees changed the trajectory of his life.
During his tenure at Della Lamb, Della Lamb’s Refugee Services team has grown from 6 to 50 team members and was an active participant in Operation Allies Welcome, the United States’ initiative to support Afghans following the fall of Kabul in August 2021. Since August 2019, Della Lamb has resettled more than 1,300 individuals and has supported thousands more who are striving to find safety, stability, and opportunity in Kansas City. In 2025, Della Lamb
Hudnall is married to Sadye, a fellow Kansan and Certified Public Accountant. He is a passionate Kansas City Chiefs fan, enjoys sweet potatoes and pistachios, is a striving amateur photographer, and believes in the power of generosity and hospitality to transform any local community.
Nicole Jacobs-Silvey
Nicole Jacobs Silvey is a coach, consultant, speaker and writer but above all, she is a connector. Driven by a desire to connect people to their purpose and passion so they can reach their potential, Nicole founded Connection Coach KC, a firm focusing on executive coaching and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) consulting. Nicole is also a sought-after speaker and writer with an expertise in topics related to DEI, leadership development and women’s empowerment.
Connection Coach KC (CCKC) utilizes a listen-learn-lead approach that engages clients in crucial content, strategy and action. Nicole meets clients where they are while challenging assumptions, identifying blind spots and encouraging personal reflection and action. CCKC’s antiracism work is rooted in the history of oppression with a focus on dismantling systemic racism.
Nicole’s most celebrated DEI work is in not-for-profit board development. After over 20 years in the not-for-profit sector, she was inspired to develop a training series called At the Table that focuses on fostering a board culture of inclusive leadership and shared power that promotes the intentional recruitment and retention of people from diverse backgrounds.
CCKC’s strengths lie in content delivery and facilitation as well as program design. Topics such as implicit bias, allyship, pipeline-building and the history of oppression are areas of expertise for the firm and provide the foundation for DEI strategy.
A former leadership development coach for the Kauffman Scholars program, Nicole returned to Kauffman Scholars as a coach in their BIPOC coaching program. In this role, she worked specifically with BIPOC young professionals to equip them with the skills to navigate complex work situations that stem from inequities in the workplace.
Nicole is also the Co-Founder of the Sisters’ Circle GKC, a giving circle for Black women, and the Rise Tribe, a group of Black women who hosted a podcast addressing the unique complexities of life for people of color. In addition, she co-hosts The Roundtable, a dialogue series that convenes community in crucial conversations.
She is active on several boards and committees such as: The Coterie Theatre, KC Rising’s DEI Advisory Committee, KC Ballet’s Education and Engagement Committee, Executive Women’s Leadership Council (Greater Kansas City Chamber), C3KC Community Advisory Committee (Junior League) and St. Peter’s Catholic School Board of Directors. A servant leader at heart, Nicole is passionate about philanthropy and volunteerism.
Nicole was selected to the 2018 Class of Rising Stars (The Independent Magazine) and was also named the 2018 Emerging Volunteer by NonProfit Connect. She is also a graduate of KC Tomorrow and the AHEAD program (Central Exchange).
She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Rockhurst University and also earned her Not for-Profit Fundraising Certificate from the UMKC Bloch School of Management.
Nicole has a variety of interests but is most passionate about empowering women, access to quality education and issues of social justice. She resides in Fairway, Kansas with her husband, Patrick, and her son, Rowah.
David Miles
David Miles has more than 25 years of experience working in the nonprofit community. He is president of the Marion and Henry Bloch Family Foundation and The H & R Block Foundation. The two Foundations annually distribute approximately $30 million to nonprofit organizations in the greater Kansas City area.
Before joining these Foundations, David assisted donors in accomplishing their charitable goals as an associate at the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation for four years. He also has more than eight years of experience working in the development and alumni offices at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, University of Missouri, and Stephens College.
He currently serves as a director and chairman for the Irven E. and Nevada P. Linscomb Foundation.
Raleigh Miller
Raleigh is the Chief Development Officer at AdHoc Group Against Crime, a violence prevention and victims services nonprofit that has served high-crime areas in KC since 1977. Previously Raleigh had 10 years in nonprofit leadership and development roles, including at United Way of Central Ohio, United Way of Wyandotte County, United Way of Greater Kansas City, and Unicorn Theatre. Raleigh received his bachelor’s at Drake University in 2006. Subsequently, he earned master’s degrees in philosophy at Georgia State University and Ohio State University, which he now regards as an exercise in vanity. He is the founder of the Gillham Group, a networking and knowledge-sharing association for development professionals in Kansas City. At AdHoc, Raleigh has successfully raised $6.6M towards the erection of the AdHoc Center for Healing and Justice, which will open its doors to the community in Spring-Summer 2026. Contact Raleigh at raleigh@adhocgac.com if you are interested in supporting the campaign to build the Center for Healing and Justice. Raleigh likes climbing 14K peaks, beekeeping, and competing in triathlons – so he still enjoys exercises in vanity.
Sarah Morris
Sarah Morris was named General Manager of KCUR 89.3, Kansas City’s NPR affiliate, and 91.9 Classical KC in 2021. Both are a service of the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC).
KCUR is home to three major collaborative journalism services: the nine-state Harvest Public Media, the statewide Kansas News Service, and the NPR regional Midwest Newsroom, which provides investigative and in-depth reporting for Kansas, Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska.
During her early tenure, Morris helped create the Midwest Newsroom, as well as a local news collaborative, the KC Media Collective, which includes six nonprofit media organizations. She secured a $1 million, three-year grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation to support this effort.
She also launched KCUR Studios, which currently produces podcasts of local and national interest, reaching an average of 100,000 people each month.
Prior to her current position, Morris spent nearly two decades in various leadership positions in the private and nonprofit sectors. Most recently, she was Assistant Vice Chancellor of Strategic Marketing and Communications at UMKC, which included oversight of KCUR, from 2004-2020.
Morris is a 2024 Public Media Diversity Fellow of the Riley Institute at Furman, received an MBA from Baker University and a Bachelor of Science-Journalism degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder.
Brent Never
Brent Never (Ph.D., Indiana University) is the director of the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership, an Associate Professor of Public Affairs at the Henry W. Bloch School of Management. His research considers the spatial and geographic implications of a decentralized human service system. Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and spatial regression methods, he has worked to identify communities underserved by human services. He has also worked to highlight clusters of financially distressed nonprofit organizations, those most likely to go out of business in the near future raising the question as to who is served by financially ‘sick’ human service providers.
Never has served as Visiting Professor in the School of Community Resources & Development at Arizona State University where he conducted research on the continued devolution of human services from government provision to private-sector provision through contracts, vouchers, and grants. He has published in Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, Nonprofit Management & Leadership, Voluntas, Human Service Organizations: Management, Leadership & Governance, and Nonprofit Policy Forum. In addition, Never regularly writes for the practitioner audience in the Nonprofit Quarterly.
Never’s research has been funded by national and regional foundations. He was a Fulbright Scholar (2003-04 to Benin and 2007 to Northern Ireland), and in 2011-2013 was awarded a Young Scholar Research Grant from the Kresge Foundation. In 2018, he and Prof. Jim DeLisle was awarded the Alteryx Excellence Award for their method of data cleaning, mixing, and analysis; their work is now being used to understand patterns of abandoned housing in Kansas City.
Never teaches courses in research methods, public policy analysis, program evaluation, and public-private partnerships. He teaches courses in the Master of Public Administration, Executive Master of Public Administration, Executive Master of Business Administration, and the Master of Business Administration programs. He has earned the Elmer F. Pierson Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Bloch Student Award for Impactful Teaching.
Never serves the nonprofit research community as a Track Chair for the ARNOVA Annual Meeting (2014-2016), a member of the Executive Committee for the Theories, Issues, Boundaries Section, and is a frequent manuscript reviewer for journals and book publishers.
Never enjoys serving the regional nonprofit community as a Senior Fellow at the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership. His work includes executive board training, strategic planning, and program evaluation services. He has also served the City of Kansas City as a member of the Citizens’ Commission on Municipal Revenue and Mayor Sly James’ Challenge Cabinet.
David Renz
David Renz is Professor Emeritus of Nonprofit Leadership and Director Emeritus of the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership, the public service leadership research and development center of the Department of Public Affairs in the Bloch School of Management at the University of Missouri –Kansas City (UMKC). The center, a key contributor to UMKC’s community engagement mission, serves approximately 3,500 leaders of nonprofit and other public service organizations each year.
An award-winning educator and scholar, David teaches and conducts research on nonprofit and public service leadership, especially nonprofit governance and board effectiveness. His current research focuses on governance and management in networks and socially-entrepreneurial organizations. Recently, David was honored with a Special Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kansas City nonprofit association, Nonprofit Connect; in 2017 he was recognized with the “Distinguished Achievement in Leadership and Nonprofit and Voluntary Action Research Award” from the international scholar association, the Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA).
David serves public service organizations in many capacities, including consulting and service on councils, task forces, and governing boards. David has worked with more than 160 boards, commissions, and networks in the past two decades. Among other initiatives, he helped found the Nonprofit Academic Centers Council (a network of university-based nonprofit centers) and the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers.
David writes frequently for both the academic and practice communities and, with his colleagues and coauthors, has produced more than 155 chapters, reports, and articles for journals such as Nonprofit Management and Leadership, The Nonprofit Quarterly, Strategic Governance, Public Administration Review, and Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly. He also is editor of the fourth edition of The Jossey-Bass Handbook of Nonprofit Leadership and Management and co-editor of The Research Handbook on Entrepreneurs’ Engagement in Philanthropy. David earned his Ph.D. in Organization Studies from the University of Minnesota.
Monica Rezac
Monica Rezac, Ph.D., is the Research Coordinator, of the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership. She earned her B.A. in Liberal Arts from UMKC and a Master of Library Science from the University of Denver. While working in public libraries, she received her Ph.D. in Research Methods and Statistics from the University of Denver, where her focus was is in program evaluation, market research, strategic planning, and measurement development. Her research interests also include arts-based research, qualitative studies, and mixed methods approaches. Monica’s role with MCNL includes providing research support for organizations and ongoing projects, data collection for evaluation, and creating public reports. She joined MCNL in 2019.
Charles “Chuck” Sailors
Chuck is a seasoned nonprofit leader and fundraising strategist with more than two decades of cross-sector experience building organizations that make a tangible difference in people’s lives. From founding a grassroots youth development center in Kansas City to leading high-performing fundraising teams at major institutions, Chuck brings a rare blend of entrepreneurial energy, relationship-building expertise, and strategic focus to every mission he serves.
Chuck currently serves as Chief Development Officer at Child Protection Center of Kansas City dedicated to preventing child abuse and helping children heal. He previously served at another local child advocacy center, Sunflower House. Prior to that, as Development Director at Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) in Kansas City, Chuck helped steer the organization through a period of fundraising growth—boosting year-end giving and increasing corporate event sponsorships.
Before joining JVS, Chuck spent several years as Director of Corporate Partnerships for United Way of Greater Kansas City, where he worked to align major corporations and philanthropic leaders with United Way’s community impact initiatives.
Josh Santiago
Josh Santiago is the Founder & Managing Partner of Santiago & Company. For more than 15 years, Josh Santiago has been dedicated to helping organizations amplify their impact, accelerate their mission, and build long-term sustainability. As the Founder and Managing Partner of Santiago & Company, a management and strategy consulting firm, he has guided clients through complex transformations that have unlocked over $1.15 billion in operational value to be reinvested into core programs. Under his leadership, his previous firm earned recognition as a 5x Inc. 5000 winner, a testament to the measurable results and lasting impact achieved for clients.
With global consulting experience, Josh has partnered with organizations of all sizes, from Fortune 100 leaders to mission-driven nonprofits and public sector entities. His expertise lies in helping organizations leverage technology for social good, including AI adoption, strategic planning, organizational modernization, and operational optimization. He is passionate about guiding strategic initiatives that drive sustainable growth and digital readiness.
Josh is also a sought-after global speaker, delivering keynotes on topics such as leveraging enterprise AI for social impact, building digital transformation roadmaps for non-profits, and accelerating community outreach. Beyond his professional work, he is a retired award-winning photographer, avid reader, and pilot, bringing creativity and a unique perspective to every challenge.
Ishmael Shumate
Ishmael Shumate, MBA is in his fourth season with the Hunt Family Foundation and the Kansas City Chiefs Community Outreach team, serving as Senior Manager of Philanthropy & Community Impact. Born and raised in Kansas City, Ishmael brings a deep personal connection to the community he serves, leading strategic initiatives that strengthen the organization’s commitment to social responsibility, equity, and engagement.
He oversees philanthropic partnerships, grantmaking, and impact-driven programs that uplift underserved communities across the region. His work reflects a passion for creating sustainable change through collaboration, innovation, and storytelling. Ishmael holds both a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Missouri–Kansas City, grounding his work in a strong foundation of strategic leadership and community-focused impact.
Emily Swenson
Emily is the Director of Development for Legal Aid of Western Missouri where she oversees a fundraising team of three. Prior to Legal Aid, Emily spent ten years with Unicorn Theatre where she held several roles including Director of Development, Director of Production, and Technical Director. Emily was a founding member of the Emerging Professionals Board at First Call, where she served as Chair for two years. Emily holds an MPA with an emphasis in Nonprofit Leadership from UMKC and is soon to join the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership as a Senior Fellow.
Tom Vansaghi
For more than 25 years, Dr. Tom Vansaghi has held senior leadership roles across public service, higher education, and the nonprofit sector. His career began in 1992 as a volunteer on Governor Mel Carnahan’s campaign, which led to a series of leadership appointments in Missouri’s state government, including with the Office of the Governor and the Missouri General Assembly.
Dr. Vansaghi was later recruited to lead strategic functions—including government relations, fundraising, marketing, community engagement, and planning—at Northwest Missouri State University and subsequently at the Metropolitan Community College District in Kansas City. In 2013, he became executive director of the North American Primary Care Research Group, an international association dedicated to advancing primary care research. He served as a tenured professor of Nonprofit Leadership at William Jewell College from 2015 to 2025.
Since 2010, Dr. Vansaghi has served as a senior fellow at the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership, teaching graduate seminars and professional development programs in nonprofit leadership and fundraising. He was appointed Managing Director of the Midwest Center on June 16, 2025. He will continue teaching graduate courses focused on nonprofit management and fundraising as well as other seminars and courses.
Guided by a deep belief in the love of humanity—the very root of philanthropy—Dr. Vansaghi approaches his work not merely as a career, but as a calling. He often draws inspiration from the words of George Bernard Shaw, who wrote:
“I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no ‘brief candle’ to me. It is sort of a splendid torch which I have a hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it over to future generations.”
For Dr. Vansaghi, leadership is not about status or self-advancement, but about holding the torch of service with purpose, passion, and the intention to leave the world—and its systems of care—more just, humane, and vibrant than he found them.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Government from Northwest Missouri State University, a Master of Public Administration from the University of Missouri–Columbia, and a Ph.D. in Political Science and Public Affairs from the University of Missouri–Kansas City. He is a proud 2009 graduate of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s Centurions Leadership Program.
Dr. Vansaghi lives in Brookside (Kansas City, Missouri) with his wife Lisa and their twin sons, Jack and Ben.
Scott Wagner
Scott Wagner started as Executive Director of Bridging The Gap in March, 2025, bringing with him a breadth of experience in community development, public service, and advocacy.
Wagner served as a City Councilman for the City of Kansas City from May 2011 through July 2019, representing the 1st District At-Large. During his time on the City Council he was appointed to a number of positions including Vice-Chair of the Neighborhoods Committee. In his second term he was appointed Mayor Pro Tem and Chair of the Finance and Governance Committee, whose responsibilities included the passing of the City’s $1.9 billion budget. Among his achievements was the development of the City’s sidewalk program, funding for a new John “Buck” O’Neil Bridge, along with other infrastructure improvements for the Northland, investment in the Kansas City Museum (now the Museum of Kansas City), support for the UNESCO City of Music designation of Kansas City and a number of other initiatives.
Upon leaving elected office he became Community and Economic Development Director at the Mattie Rhodes Center, responsible for the development of the organization’s housing, codes enforcement and workforce development programs, among other duties. He was instrumental in the expansion of Mattie Rhodes Center activities into Kansas City’s Northland.
Additionally, Wagner was named as a Commissioner for the Kansas City Board of Parks & Recreation from 2019 to 2023, concluding after he was elected as Western Commissioner of Clay County, Missouri, a position he currently has.
Beginning in Fall 2019 Wagner has also been an adjunct faculty member for UMKC, teaching a variety of public policy classes in various MBA, MPA and undergraduate courses.
Since coming to Bridging The Gap, Wagner has been working on a number of initiatives to expand the agency, including starting a mattress recycling operation which is slated to begin during the first quarter of 2026.
Jillain Williams
As a seasoned Director of Philanthropy at Harvesters – The Community Food Network, Jillain is committed to driving positive change and fostering impactful relationships within her community. With a passion for social responsibility and a keen understanding of the intersection between business and social impact, she has dedicated her career to advancing meaningful causes and supporting organizations that make a difference in people’s lives.
With over 20 years of experience in philanthropy, Jillain has successfully spearheaded numerous initiatives aimed at addressing critical social issues, including food insecurity. Through strategic leadership and innovative fundraising strategies, Jillain has played a pivotal role in securing vital resources to support initiatives and drive sustainable solutions.
Her expertise extends beyond traditional philanthropy. She is adept at forging strategic partnerships and collaborating with diverse stakeholders to amplify impact and maximize outcomes. Jillain’s ability to inspire and mobilize others toward a common purpose has earned her a reputation as a dynamic leader and trusted advisor in the philanthropic sector.
As a proud Kansas City East side resident and driven by a steadfast commitment to the vision of Harvesters: a healthy, thriving community where no one is hungry, Jillain remains committed to her neighbors and Harvesters’ mission to address the root causes and the impact of hunger while creating equitable access to nutritious food.
Jillain believes with all her heart that Food Is A Human Right!
Megan Word
Megan Word is the Government Relations Director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) for both Kansas and Nebraska. She has been with ACS CAN for four years and is responsible for directing all policy work in these two states. Prior to coming to ACS CAN, Megan spent almost 20 years working as a policy analyst and advocate for various non-profit organizations, the Missouri Senate and the Governor’s Office of Budget and Planning. Megan earned her B.A. in Psychology and Communications from William Jewell College and her Masters in Public Policy from Pepperdine University.
Kirill Zhurauliou
Kirill Zhurauliou is a Data Analyst I at the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership, where he applies his extensive background in international finance, political science, and public administration to enhance data-driven decision-making processes. Kirill holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Political Science and a Master’s degree in International Finance, both from Park University. He furthered his education with a Master’s in Public Administration with an emphasis on Nonprofit Management from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. His academic foundation provides a unique perspective on the intersection of policy, finance, and data analytics.
Prior to his current role, Kirill has gained significant experience in various research and data-focused positions, including as a research associate and data specialist. His professional expertise spans data design and engineering, data analysis, database development, and data scaling. Kirill excels in transforming complex datasets into actionable insights, aiding in economic and development research. His skills ensure that strategic decisions are backed by solid evidence and thorough analysis, contributing significantly to his organization’s success.
