Chris Vukas is a member of the Centurions Class of 2014. He serves as co-chairman of the Benchmarking Trip Committee, where he is in charge of securing programming related to arts and culture, community development, entrepreneurship, and education in Philadelphia. Chris joined Greater Kansas City LISC (Local Initiative Support Corporation) in 2011 and is responsible […]

Six community volunteers who were involved in planning the festivities when Union Station re-opened in 1999 are back leading the way for Union Station of Kansas City’s centennial celebration. Union Station Kansas City will mark its 100th anniversary with a series of special events, a new history exhibit about the Station and celebrations that will […]

Dawn Taylor was honored as a Rising Star, Class of 2014. She has spent her career in the non-profit sector, including 17 years in fundraising roles at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. Dawn is an 11-year volunteer at Operation Breakthrough and a past board member of Quixotic Fusion and […]

June 29th is the date for Harvester’s Chef Classic to be held at The American Restaurant. Kent Sunderland is serving as honorary chairman and Michael Corvino, The American Restaurant; is the host chef. The visiting chefs are Gregory Gourdet, Departure Restaurant, Portland, Oregon; Gavin Kaysen, Cafe Boulud, New York City; and Stephanie Prida, Manresa, Los […]

A passionate Arthritis Foundation volunteer and board member, JiaoJiao Shen is willing to emcee any event, including Art for Arthritis, the Walk to Cure Arthritis and Commitment to a Cure. JiaoJiao’s commitment to the fight against arthritis is very inspiring.  Also featured in the May 17th issue of The Independent   

November 7th is the date for the March of Dimes’ Nurse of the Year Awards to be held at the InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza. The event recognizes nurses from a variety of nursing practice settings whose strength, courage and perseverance advance their profession. Karen L. Miller, The University of Kansas School of Nursing; […]

Treads & Threads will roar into the Kansas Speedway on September 5th to benefit The University of Kansas Hospital. Debbie and Russ Welsh are serving as chairmen of the event that will feature Grammy-nominated artist Gavin DeGraw, a packed dance floor featuring the Emerald City Band, gourmet fare, and specialty beverages. Proceeds from the event […]

The 11th Annual Saint Luke’s Home Care & Hospice Golf Tournament will be held on June 16that Staley Farms Golf Club. Players will enjoy breakfast, lunch, a gift, and a great round of golf. Proceeds will support compassionate and high-quality services to patients and families in Town. Also featured in the May 17th issue of The […]

Zac Richmond, the Business Intelligence Manager at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and a member of the Centurions Class of 2014, helps identify and organize community service opportunities. He has taken full advantage of the service opportunities provided by the program and currently leads his 80 classmates in service hours contributed.  Also featured […]

June 28th is the date for the Arts & Recreation Foundation of Overland Park’s Stems: A Garden Soirée. Co-chairmen Linda and DeWayne Bridges recently opened their beautiful home to board members and committee members to preview a tasting from the two wineries that will be featured at Stems, Dos Puentes and Don Manuel Villafañe. Josh […]

Join Shawnee Mission Medical Center and Co-Chairmen Mary Jo O’Byrne, Diane O’Byrne and Caitlin O’Byrne at the Speaking of Women’s Health Conference, to be held on October 3rd at the Overland Park Convention Center. As Our Town’s premier women’s health education program, the conference is designed to educate women to make informed decisions about the […]

November 14th is the date for ReDiscover’s 45th Celebration to be held at the InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza. Jo Ann Field and Judy and Doug Hall are the honorary co-chairmen, and Melinda Petet is serving as the chairman. The event will feature cocktails, a delectable dinner, silent and live auctions, and a performance […]

Crescendo 2014 will be held at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts on November 7th. Deanna and Greg Graves are the honorary chairmen, and Katherine and Jim Schorgl are serving as the chairmen. Proceeds from the event will benefit the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance. Also featured in the May 3rd issue of […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]