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. […]

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 […]

The Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri, will host Holiday Mart, its annual shopping event, at Bartle Hall on October 17th through the 20th. This year’s beneficiaries are Amethyst Place, Inclusion Connections, Jewish Family Services, Lazarus Ministries, Shadow Buddies Foundation, Solace House, and Wayside Waifs. C’mon along and listen to the ding, ding, ding of […]

Jennifer Vitela works for the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum, where she oversees public programs, special events, visitor services, volunteers, and museum store operations. She graduated from the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School of Journalism. Jennifer earned her juris doctor degree from Loyola Law School. She is a member of the Centurions […]

Chantell Garrett loves traveling. The Dillard University graduate (her bachelor’s degree is in marketing and management information systems) returned to her alma mater in 2017 to receive a 40 Under 40 Award. In addition to her duties as manager for diversity, inclusion, and strategic engagement at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, Chantell focuses […]

Sydney Sutherland is the special events chairman for Holiday Mart 2019. The Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri’s annual fundraiser is scheduled for October 17th through the 20th at Bartle Hall. The morning of the 17th is the time for Preferential Shopping (which requires a special ticket). Hilarity (or, at least, much merriment) will ensue […]

Christine Lara is a member of Centurions Fall Class of 2020. She recently was elected to the Centurions steering committee. Christine serves on the Innovation and Disruption Task Force planning committee and the diversity and inclusion committee. Christine, the eldest of three siblings, is originally from Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean. She earned a […]