Courtney Goddard is a member of the Rising Stars, Class of 2014. Whenever she is asked to serve on a board or as chairman of an event, she always says ‘yes,’ asking herself, “If not now, when? If not me, who?” Courtney and her husband, Dr. Dana Hawkinson, are the parents of Caroline, age five, […]

Project 39 hosted a Kick-Off Celebration on April 3rd for hosts participating in The Mother of All Happy Hours event. On May 8th, the hosts will invite their friends to gather and donate new baby items for mothers living in poverty. The donations will help families who are involved with The Family Conservancy’s Healthy Parents, […]

Mary Shaw “Shawsie” Branton (Mrs. William Coleman Branton) will serve as the honorary chairman of the 60th Anniversary Jubilee of The Jewel Ball, to be held on June 21st at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Shawsie was the chairman of the 1983 Jewel Ball. Shawsie’s two daughters participated in The Jewel Ball. Leslie Branton Hoffecker […]

Brett Wacha is a member of the Centurions Class of 2014. He serves on the Community Leadership Committee and co-chaired the Entrepreneurship Task Force at the Kauffman Foundation and the Henry W. Bloch Executive Hall for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Brett is a principal and co-founder of Clickfarm, an award-winning digital marketing agency located in the […]

December 5th is the date for the Kansas City Ballet Guild’s Nutcracker Ball to be held at Union Station Kansas City. Guests will celebrate the holiday season with cocktails, dinner and dancing. Ann Dickinson is the honorary chairman, and Anna Allen is serving as the chairman. Proceeds benefit the Kansas City Ballet and the Kansas […]

Alexandra Gwyn “Sacha” Nana and Bradley Barr Thies were married on February 8th at The American Restaurant. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Zahid Feroze Nana of Fairway. Her groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Joseph Thies of Overland Park. The evening prior, the groom’s parents hosted a lovely […]

Anab Abdulahi, an active advocate for women, was on the Women’s Foundation of Greater Kansas City’s board for six years. A Celebration of Women commemorative journal honored Anab, and she was on the journal committee for more than four years.  Also featured in the May 3rd issue of The Independent  

The Liberty Hospital Foundation’s 26th annual Golf Classic will be held on September 12th at Staley Farms Golf Club. Brett Daffron is serving as the chairman of the event that benefits the Liberty Hospital Foundation programs and services which support the Liberty Hospital community. Also featured in the May 3rd issue of The Independent  Brett […]

Bridget Moss is marketing supervisor for the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority. She is a member of the Centurions Class of 2014 and is chairman of the Communications Committee. Bridget volunteers with Academie Lafayette and the Kansas City Community Gardens, where she participates as an urban gardener. Bridget and her husband, Patrick Murphy, have two […]

On March 14th, the Kansas City Symphony rolled out the red carpet to welcome the Los Angeles Philharmonic and its Music Director Gustavo Dudamel. Guests enjoyed a special concert followed by a meet and greet with Maestro Gustavo and guest pianist Yuja Wang. Also featured in the April 19th issue of The Independent Photo Credit: […]

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Robert Armstrong of Fairway are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Bailey Elizabeth Armstrong, to Vincent Michael Pianalto, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Edward Pianalto of Leawood. Bailey is a graduate of Shawnee Mission East High School. She earned bachelor of arts degrees in Spanish and anthropology […]

March 1st was the date for The Hunt Family Foundation and the Kansas City Chiefs’ 44th annual 101 Awards at The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center. Joe Freeman served as chairman of the sold-out event that supports the Truman Medical Center Charitable Foundation. This year’s honorees were Peyton Manning, LeSean McCoy, Robert Mathis, Luke […]

The Children’s Place The Young Advisory Board of The Children’s Place hosted Brews & BBQ on March 19th at Boulevard Brewery. More than 200 guests enjoyed a great evening that featured delicious fare from Jack Stack Barbecue, Boulevard brews and great raffle prizes. Proceeds from the event support The Children’s Place, which serves young survivors […]

Mr. and Mrs. Donald Whitcomb McGregor of Madison, Connecticut, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Lynn Marie McGregor, to David Bainbridge Lyons, the son of Mr. and Mrs. William McClellan Lyons of Our Town. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Peter James Lordo and the late Mr. […]

May 12th is the date for Ozanam’s Golf Classic, “Putting Kids on the Right Course,” at Ironhorse Golf Club. The four-person scramble tournament will feature a putting contest, silent auction, raffle, a delicious lunch from Panera Bread of Kansas, and an awards ceremony. Brady Wombolt is serving as the chairman. Proceeds will support the children’s […]

March 1st was the date for American Heart Association’s Heart & Stroke Ball. Linda and John Nobles and Peggy and Dr. Michael Borkon were the co-chairmen. More than 1,000 guests enjoyed cocktails, a gourmet dinner, auctions, and an after-hours party with music by The Patrick Lentz Band at the Kansas City Convention Center.   Also […]

Having worked as a high school teacher, assistant principal and principal, Binny Pearce knew she was not able to sit home after she retired. Beth Liebling, granddaughter of the City Union Mission founder, Reverend David Bulkley, and daughter of the director, Reverend Daniel J. Doty, was in a Sunday School class that Binny taught. Beth […]

March 6th was the date for an Honoree Tea given by Hats Off to Mothers at Nell Hill’s in Briarcliff Village. Guests enjoyed receiving springtime decorating tips, followed by a fun morning of shopping and mimosas.  Barbara Storm is serving as the chairman of Hats Off to Mothers, benefiting United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Kansas […]

On December 29th, Finley Rose McInnes celebrated her first birthday with family and close friends. The celebration’s adorable theme was “Winter ‘One’ derland.” Finley’s very proud parents are Priscilla and Matt McInnes. With that adorable face, we wonder… who could tell her no? Also featured in the April 19th issue of The Independent   

Ellen Bradbury and Carol Gast are the co-chairmen of the 11th annual Kansas City Hospice House Angel Gala. “Come to the Cabaret” is the theme of the event, to be held on August 16th at the DoubleTree by Hilton.  Also featured in the April 19th issue of The Independent Photo Credit: Sally Morrow Photography Ellen Bradbury, […]

Camp WIN, hosted by WIN for KC, will be held from June 9th to the 12th, for nine to 12 year old girls at St. Teresa’s Academy and at Rockhurst University from June 16th through the 19th, for six to eight year old girls. Team Captain applications are still being accepted and can be found […]