What’s a garden without birds? Or, in this case, Byrds? Anne and Wayne Byrd are the honorary chairmen for Stems: A Garden Soirée, which will be held on June 27th at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. Wayne was the founding president of the Arts & Recreation Foundation of Overland Park, which is celebrating […]

Being the mother of a sick child who was helped by Children’s Mercy 21 years ago led Becky DeKnight to her current role as a volunteer in the NICU. Her friendly demeanor and smiling face are just what the families need while navigating a medical issue. The staff is dedicated to helping the children, and […]

Mark Mattison is a member  of The Independent’s Rising Star, Class of 2019. He is the director of major gifts for the UMKC Conservatory. Steering the work of volunteer committees of the Friends of the Conservatory, last year Mark helped set a record fundraising goal of $633,000 for their Crescendo gala. Mark also initiated the […]

The Kansas City Chiefs Ambassadors are a group of former Kansas City Chiefs players who support Our Town with local scholarship programs, charity golf tournaments, and numerous charitable visits and appearances. Members are selected based on tenure and their willingness to participate in Ambassador outreach events and meetings. This is the only group of its […]

Pella Fingersh and Neil Sosland are serving as co-chairmen for the Civic Service Award Celebration. The event will celebrate Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy’s 54 years of educating and developing students to prepare them for fulfilling lives as contributing community leaders. The late Tiberius Klausner will be honored at the festivities, which will be held on […]

Kansas City native Jaime Geer Steinman is the new owner of Lon Lane’s Inspired Occasions, and the company’s future could not be in better hands. “All I want is to do right by Marcia and Lon. They gave birth to an amazing brand, and I want to be a good stepmom,” said Jaime, laughing. Jaime […]

The 17th annual Hats Off to Mothers will be held on May 5th at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. Ellen Merriman will be the chairman, and John Holt will serve as emcee. Six outstanding mothers will be honored for their remarkable ability to balance family life, personal achievement, and service to our community. This year’s […]

  Ruth J. Brackney, Partner/Attorney, Lathrop GPM “A consummate giver of her time and resources, Ruth enjoys contributing to many local causes and charities. She is a board member with Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City and a volunteer with Wayside Waifs no-kill animal shelter. Ruth was a board member from 2016 to 2019 at […]

The charges were dropped – but being wrongfully accused of a crime was enough to make Saber Hossinei decide to become a lawyer. He began volunteering with the Midwest Innocence Project, which reviews cases in which justice may not have been done. The work was important enough to Saber that a three-hour commute each way […]

Kamera Meaney is the special programs manager for Truman Medical Centers. She is a member of the Centurions Fall Class of 2020. Kamera has served as programming chairman for the annual retreat and as co-chairman of the Healthcare Task Force, in addition to being a member of the curriculum committee. She earned a bachelor’s degree […]

Jenny Stasi is a St. Louis, Missouri, native who graduated from Indiana University. (Go, Hoosiers!) Her happiest times are spent with with her husband, Mike Stasi, their daughters, Kennedy and Peyton, and their yellow lab, Wrigley. She is a senior public relations strategist at Trozzolo Communications Group. As a member of the Centurions Fall Class […]

Marc Shaffer is a principal at Searcy Financial Services. He specializes in helping his clients and their families achieve continuity in their financial planning through generations and achieve their vision by encouraging goal setting and active monitoring of their financial plans. He spends countless hours outside of work volunteering and fundraising. Marc is very passionate […]

As a member of the Centurions Fall Class of 2020, Sylvya Stevenson recently served as co-chairman of the October Task Force on Government. Sylvya is an IT master budget analyst with Criterion Systems. She graduated with distinction from the University of Missouri–Kansas City, where she earned a dual bachelor of arts degree in political science […]

Nancy Curran earned a bachelor of arts degree in supply chain management from Michigan State University. Her title at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City is senior strategic sourcing specialist. Nancy is a member of the Centurions Fall Class of 2020. During her first year as a Centurion, she was a member of […]

Janet and Dave Loftus are dedicated volunteers for Growing Futures Early Education Center. Dave is a wealth advisor with Mainstreet Retirement & Investment Center. He contributes to Growing Futures and encourages his family and co-workers to give, too. In 2012, he began to organize donation drives at the Credit Union where his company is located, […]

Dr. Monique Johnston is a member of the Centurions Spring Class of 2020 and is co-chairman of the recruiting committee. Family fun time with Zahra, age six, and Theo, age four, makes her smile. Monique is the director of education programs at the Missouri Humanities Council. She earned both a master’s degree and a doctorate […]

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 […]

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. […]