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NAME DROPPING

By Ann Slegman

2017 CLASS OF

RISING STARS

Meagan Dowell

eagan Dowell is a supervising senior tax
associate at CBIZ MHM and is a member of the
M2017 Class of Rising Stars. A native of Our Town,
she first learned about the impact of philanthropy and
volunteerism in high school when she traveled to Los
Angeles to serve at The Dream Center. There, she provided
comfort, clothing and meals to the homeless, organized
reading groups and play therapy for under-served children
and helped rehab and renovate the facility. After receiving
her bachelor of science degree in accounting from The
University of Kansas and a master of accounting from the
University of Arizona, she joined CBIZ MHM as a tax
associate. Meagan expressed an interest in the company’s Tom Styrkowicz
charitable pursuits and was quickly selected as chairman
of the company’s charitable committee. In this capacity,
she has helped raise money to purchase holiday toys for
children in need as well as organize company sponsored
volunteer activities at Harvester’s and City Union Mission. Personally, Meagan
served as the co-chairman of an event, which raised funds to help provide
professional attire for low-income women to better their self-image and improve
their job search and interview process. She also has participated in a number of
5K runs, benefiting causes such as Wayside Waifs and Pancreatic Cancer Research.
On November 3, 2016, Meagan was honored by the Missouri Society of Certified
Public Accountants as its 2016 Women to Watch – Emerging Leader.
Along with her husband, Derek, Meagan provides support, leadership and a
ccounting expertise to Happy Birthday, Inc., which organizes birthday parties for
BIG Impact. BIG Reward. children in the foster care system. Through their involvement, they are also
helping to advocate and educate the community on the issues facing the foster
care system as well as expanding the number of foster care licensed families in
2017 Most Wanted Honoree Colby Jones is Chief Financial Our Town. Said Nick Estrada, Happy Birthday, Inc.: “Meagan has been a driving
Officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City. He force of encouragement and played many behind-the-scenes roles since day one
began his involvement with BBBS as a bowling captain at of Happy Birthday Inc. Her husband, Derek, is our treasurer, and because of
Bowl for Kids’ Sake in 1998. Colby was a Big Brother for Meagan’s experience in helping non profits, we continually ask for guidance on
10 years and was named Big Brother of the Year for the state fundraising strategies. At our first official fundraising event, Meagan brought her
of Missouri in 2011. He also served on the BBBS donation experience and creativity to the table and helped make our ’90s themed fundraiser
unforgettable. It raised enough donations for us to operate for nearly a year
center board for 15 years and on the BBBS agency board for
without additional funds. We have been blessed to have her in the room as we
eight years. Colby is a big believer in the mission of Big
continue on our mission!”
Brothers Big Sisters and is happy to have his dream job there.
According to Amy Sleeper, Children’s Mercy; Meagan not only gives of her time
and talent to the Children’s Mercy Cancer Center Auxiliary Board, she also gives
of her heart and shares her kindness to make a difference in the lives of patients
and families battling cancer. “Meagan has been a strong, active member for this
group of community professionals,” said Amy. “In no time, she established
herself as a young, fresh voice for the board as they worked to promote and
fund groundbreaking research projects, crucial staff positions and needed
patient-family programming at the hospital.” Due to her excellent leadership
abilities, Meagan became board president in 2015. Under her leadership, the
Cancer Center Auxiliary had its most successful fundraising years, resulting in
more resources for patients, families, clinicians, and researchers.
Meagan also serves as the committee liaison and a lead volunteer for the annual
(front row) Cathryn Yuille, Vernon Estes, KC Cares for Kids Walk, a fundraising event that gathers Children’s Mercy patients,
Joseph Estes, Michael Estes, Maggie Yuille,
Landery Gosserand, and Taylor Mills-Gosserand families and friends for a day of celebration and remembrance. Bringing her
(back row) Kim and Jay Yuille, Travis Yuille, passion, expertise and attention to detail, Meagan has played a key role in raising
David and Sondra Estes, Jack and more than $240,000 since the walk’s inception in 2014. Said Amy Sleeper: “As a
Jody Tillotson, and Pharra and
Todd Gosserand non-profit hospital, we are always so appreciative of those in the community who
do more for our patients and families, especially when they are like Meagan – a
strong leader with a desire to help others. Her thoughtfulness coupled with
Always a Kansas City tradition - The Independent - her ability to welcome new ideas and encourage others around her to succeed
publishing news about Our Town for 117 years. stand out and make her the ideal candidate for The Independent’s 2017 Class of
Rising Stars.”
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