Nicole Jacobs Silvey is an associate director at the University of Missouri–Kansas City and is a Rising Star, class of 2018, with more than 20 years of experience in the non profit sector. She currently serves on the board of HappyBottoms.  According to Maria Dickson, Friends of University Academy; Nicole has been on the University […]

Anastasia Huggins and her husband, Eddie, returned to Our Town two years ago, after spending nearly a decade away. Anastasia earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Kansas State University, and she is an architect with BNIM. She joined Centurions soon after moving back to Kansas City and is a member of the class of […]

Diane Gallagher is a member of Centurions, class of 2019. She is a vice president of client marketing with American Century Investments. Diane and her family live in Prairie Village, where her husband, Terrence, is a member of the City Council. The Gallaghers are the parents of 21-year-old Jillian, 17-year-old Elizabeth and 14-year-old Mary Katherine. […]

When Chris Jagoda began his career at Lockton Companies, he embraced the company’s strong commitment to the community and quickly became involved with a wide variety of service activities, including Christmas in October, Great Strides, Walk MS, and The Hospital Hill Marathon. Said Erin Gabert, American Heart Association: “Chris found his niche volunteering with the […]

Wildcat! Marc Shaffer is a Kansas State University graduate who stays true to his roots. He is a past president of the school’s human ecology alumni advisory board. Marc is the incoming president for the Kansas State University personal financial planning advisory board, and he serves on the Kansas City K-State alumni planning committee. He […]

June 1st is the date for the Kansas City Zoo’s Jazzoo, “Rub Elbows. Touch Fins.” Kelly and Ron Lockton are serving as the chairmen of the 29th annual event. Partygoers will enjoy tasty tidbits from more than 70 of Our Town’s best restaurants, signature cocktails from 10 specialty and full service bars and live entertainment […]

Synergy Services’ Honorary Stars for the 28th Annual Kindest Kansas Citian Awards are Anita Gorman and Christy and Bill Gautreaux. Brynn McCan is the chairman for the event, which will be held on May 4th at the Kansas City Zoo. More than 5,000 students have written essays nominating people they know, and the evening will feature […]

Shelly Doucet, Director of Development, University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Education “Shelly’s passion is serving and fundraising for non profits. In her professional and personal time, she is always considering how she can make her community stronger. She constantly sees potential community connections – encouraging cross-collaboration between non profits, philanthropists and businesses.” Jennifer Ingraham, UMKC Foundation […]

Last summer, the Kansas City Royals invited Tom Reorda to sit in the Buck O’Neil legacy seat during a game. At a September luncheon, Tom received the Harvesters’ Circle of Hope Award as Hunger Champion – Individual. These are huge honors — what did Tom do to deserve them? The answer: Plenty! Tom first volunteered […]

As a member of Centurions, class of 2019, Jason Webb is supporting the February STEM Task Force and planning the Women’s Leadership Forum, which will be held in early March. The Kansas City Anti Violence Project (KCAVP) is an organization that is important to him, and he serves on its board and the executive committee. […]

Truman Library Institute’s Wild About Harry event will be held on April 19th at the Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. David McCullough, Pulitzer Prize-winning Truman biographer, will be the featured guest. He will receive the 2018 Harry S. Truman Legacy of Leadership Award. Jo Ann and Bill Sullivan are the honorary chairmen, […]

Sue and Lewis Nerman have been championing the Kansas City Art Institute for many years. Most recently, the couple served as honorary chairmen of the 2017 Art & Design Auction, where more than $500,000 was raised for student scholarships. As a board member, Sue serves as an advocate for the college and her passion for […]

April 12th is the date for Truman Medical Center Charitable Foundation’s third annual White Coat Gala, which will “Illuminate Kansas City’s Healers and Heroes.” The festivities will be held at the Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. Live music, a cocktail hour and dining are merely the beginning of the fun. There will […]

Brooke and Jeffrey Kuntz strongly support First Call’s mission to reduce the impact of alcohol, drugs and addiction by providing quality resources to individuals, families and the community. Together, they spearheaded a successful 2017 Celebration Evening: A Night of Recovery & Hope with Mackenzie Phillips. As chairmen, their hard work and dedication resulted in 10 […]

Trevor Flannigan is a native of Blue Springs, Missouri, where he spent his formative years. After sampling a variety of Midwestern locations, he now resides in the City of Fountains. He and his wife, Courtney, share their home in the Waldo neighborhood with their adorable dog, Maeve. Trevor manages a website chat company in Lee’s […]

WIN for KC’s 24th annual Women’s Sports Awards Celebration Luncheon will be held on February 7th in the Grand Ballroom of the Kansas City Convention Center. Olympic Bronze Medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad is the keynote speaker. Ibtihaj is a member of the United States Fencing Team. In August of 2016, Ibtihaj became the first American woman […]

Annually a class of dynamic, charismatic, charitable, passionate, hard-working professionals are chosen to be honored as KC’s Most Wanted. These individuals are movers and shakers who are making a big difference in their profession and in their community. The selected honorees are featured in the November issue of The Independent and will be honored at the annual […]

Jessica Dickson has served as the chairman of the American Cancer Society’s Coaches vs. Cancer Season Tipoff for the past three years. She has been on the committee for more than 10 years. Jessica’s dedication – and her passion – have been instrumental in making this event such a tremendous success. Coaches vs. Cancer: (Front […]

  Jake Jacobson is the director of public relations at Children’s Mercy. According to Rachel Hodgson, Great Plains SPCA; he has accomplished more than many non-profit public relations professionals in their entire careers and continues to reset the bar higher and higher. “Jake is able to tap into skills and experience from a diverse background […]

Catholic Charities Foundation of Northeast Kansas’ 44th Annual Snow Ball  will be held on January 20th at the Overland Park Convention Center. Guests will enjoy a cocktail reception, formal dinner and dancing into the night. Susan and Mike Gangel are the honorary presidents, and Maureen and Mike Bukaty are serving as the presidents of the […]

Rhonda Dolan is a member of Centurions, class of 2018. She serves as co-chairman of the recruitment committee and is a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure and Healthcare Task Forces. A graduate of Illinois State University, Rhonda is external sales director with Truman Medical Centers. Much of Rhonda’s volunteer work is centered around youth/teen […]