Audra Clark is a member of the Centurions Fall Class of 2020. Her involvement has included helping plan the November Education Task Force and serving as co-chairman of the community leadership committee. Audra is the executive director of City Year Kansas City, a non-profit organization that focuses on keeping students in the Kansas City, Missouri, […]

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 […]