Kansas City native Lindsey Rood-Clifford has deep roots in the community where she has made it her mission to show the value of the arts and non-profit service. To her, the arts are more than entertainment — they’re essential to the city’s soul. Yet, she has been involved in multiple facets of community service. This commitment has earned her recognition as one of The Independent’s 2024 Class of Rising Stars. 

As a driven leader, Lindsey has contributed to numerous organizations, from supporting those in addiction recovery to guiding philanthropic efforts. Now, as recently elected president and chief executive officer of Starlight Theatre, she remains hard at work to ensure Kansas City thrives culturally and socially.

Lindsey’s connection to the arts began early, thanks to her family’s involvement in Kansas City’s cultural events. “My family were active arts supporters and attendees,” she said. “My grandparents had season tickets to Starlight, so that’s how I started coming to Starlight specifically. I took an early interest in theater and music.” 

This initial attraction to the arts motivated her to participate in high school theater and dance productions. In those days, Lindsey, like many, believed that professional success lay beyond her hometown. “Everyone had this feeling that if you were really going to make it or do something cool, you had to leave Kansas City,” she said. 

However, despite opportunities to move away, she chose to stay and contribute to what she describes as Kansas City’s “cultural renaissance.” Staying allowed her to rediscover the city she once thought she would outgrow. “What I think it afforded me was this opportunity to sort of discover Kansas City and fall in love with it all over again,” she said.

Lindsey’s career at Starlight began as an intern. Through the years, she rose in the ranks to become the organization’s first female CEO in its 75-year history. Now, under her leadership, one of the organization’s key focuses is ensuring the arts are accessible to all. “To understand why arts access matters, you have to understand why the arts matter,” she said. “It fosters a kind of discourse that we don’t have in the world right now.”

With Lindsey at the helm, Starlight has expanded its ticket subsidy programs, which provide free or reduced-cost tickets for families who otherwise might not be able to attend performances. In addition, Starlight has expanded its reach and impact through programs such as the Blue Star Awards, which recognize outstanding achievement in high school musical theater across Kansas City. The event celebrates local talent and provides students with scholarships and professional development opportunities in the arts.

Lindsey has also overseen the Starlight Stars program — a summer education and performance training program for aspiring young actors. She has also prioritized partnerships with local schools to enhance arts education through workshops, tours, and behind-the-scenes experiences at Starlight. These programs provide exposure to the performing arts for future generations of performers and arts enthusiasts.

Beyond the theater, Lindsey has also served in leadership roles at several non profits, including as president of the Kansas City Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). During her tenure, she oversaw the growth of the Chapter’s membership and provided non-profit professionals with access to fundraising resources. She also hosted numerous AFP workshops and seminars focused on grant writing, donor relations, and ethical fundraising practices, which directly improved the fundraising capabilities of many local non profits. This experience with AFP shaped her leadership approach. “Serving on a board of directors helps me understand what the experience of a volunteer leader is,” she explained. “That helps increase your empathy.”

Indeed, among friends and colleagues, Lindsey is known for her drive, compassion, and thoughtful decision-making. Amy Guerich, Stepp & Rothwell, remarked on those qualities. “She’s always quick to show compassion and grace rather than passing judgment,” Amy said. “She makes decisions with an open mind and seeks out different points of view.” 

This compassion is evident in the meaningful causes she devotes herself to like GRACE, which provides sober living resources and housing for those in recovery. Lindsey is passionate about the issue that she describes as a niche, often misunderstood, and under-resourced cause. Nancy Whitworth, a GRACE board member, praised Lindsey’s impact on the organization. “Her insights into philanthropy and governance have expanded our network of homes for those in recovery,” she said. “Despite her demanding role at Starlight, she’s never missed a beat in helping GRACE achieve its goals.” Nancy credits Lindsey with significantly improving GRACE’s grant application process, which helped secure essential funding and doubled the organization’s reach in Kansas City. 

When looking to the future of the arts in Kansas City, Lindsey anticipates rapid changes are on the horizon. “I think it will continue to evolve pretty rapidly,” she said. “I think understanding what audience development is and figuring out how to talk about the impact and the importance of the arts is going to be key.”

Reflecting on her own future, Lindsey remains focused on the positive impact she hopes to create. “I think the people who live and work in Kansas City are some of the nicest and most caring, and they are genuinely invested in the success of not only their own interests, but of their neighbors, too,” she said. “That’s what makes Kansas City special.” 

To many, Lindsey’s leadership and passion personify what it means to be a Rising Star. Margaret Perkins McGuinness, a fellow board member with Lindsey at AFP, said, “Her impact will be felt in this city for generations to come.”

Featured in the November 16, 2024 issue of The Independent
By Monica V. Reynolds