April Padgett began her career in development five years ago. She came to Our Town in the summer of 2018. April is director of individual and corporate giving for Vibrant Health, a network of safety net health clinics in Wyandotte County, Kansas. She enjoys interacting with donors and colleagues. “One of the best parts of […]

Jo and Mike Kuckelman are the presidents for the 46th Annual Snow Ball, with Mary McGowan Swartz, representing the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund, serving as the honorary president. Cocktails, dinner, and dancing are on the agenda for the evening of January 18th at the Overland Park Convention Center. The event is a benefit for […]

Michael Comer is a graduate of Kansas State University and a vice president with JE Dunn Construction. He is a member of the Centurions Spring Class of 2020. The May Task Force, of which he was a member, focused on Kansas City’s past and future. He is currently serving as chairman of the legacy committee, […]

In the Directors of Philanthropy issue, The Independent celebrates the remarkable people in Our Town who donate so much of their time and talents to charitable organizations. They make Kansas City a better place to live. Baptist-Trinity Lutheran Legacy Foundation To provide support in the greater Kansas City area for crisis related medical assistance, neighborhood […]

Caitlin O’Byrne Waters’ personal motto is “to help others leave today better than yesterday.” She fearlessly pursues this mission with everything she does, whether it’s helping people live healthier lifestyles or dedicating her time and talents to local organizations. Her main passions are literacy and wellness. Caitlin has been a member of the steering committee […]

Dionne M. Pleasant is a donor development strategist for the American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation. “Every day I see so much good, but conversely, so much opportunity,” she said. “Working in philanthropy has given me the chance to play a tiny role in improving lives and communities. Luckily, Kansas City is full of people […]

As a member of Centurions, Eric Munninghoff has served as a member of the diversity committee, social chairman, member of the “Soil to Supper” Food and Agriculture Task Force, and as a member of the Wildcard Task Force. He is a Kansas City native, who now coaches basketball at Rockhurst High School, his alma mater. […]

John Shehane views himself as “a life-long learner.” He was one of the founders of the local AFP chapter, and of what is now Nonprofit Connect, in addition to being one of the first members of the Mid America Planned Giving Council. “I served on the AFP’s National Ethics Committee that created our first Code […]

Mark Mattison has successfully built a life where his vocation and avocation are almost interchangeable, and the skills he develops at one ultimately benefit the other. He does this effortlessly, with exceptional skill, great enthusiasm, and a genuine spirit of compassion and giving back. After graduating from the University of Missouri, Mark’s first job was […]