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 […]

The Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri is gearing up for Holiday Mart 2019. Members of the committee are eagerly awaiting the shopping extravaganza, which will be held on October 17th through the 20th at Bartle Hall. Committee Members: Taylor Kaunley, staffing chairman; Sydney Sutherland, events co-chairman; Sarah Koci Scheilz, marketing co-chairman; Addie Layne and […]

Lindsey and Ian Denny are serving as chairmen of The Whole Person’s CARNIVAL! Night of Independence Gala. The September 28th event will be held at Harrah’s North Kansas City. A highlight of the evening will be the presentation of awards to individuals and organizations that are working to further The Whole Person’s mission to assist […]

Ben McAnany is the owner of McAnany Construction. His family has been in the Kansas City area for more than 150 years. His commitment to volunteer engagement in a variety of settings makes the world a better place for everyone. Ben is a board member of Community Housing of Wyandotte County (CHWC). He leads the […]

Drew Elliott is a member of the Centurions Fall Class of 2020. He serves on the boards of Nonprofit Connect and the Mid-America Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. Drew earned a bachelor of arts degree from The University of Kansas, and a master’s degree from the University of Missouri–Kansas City. He works within the […]

Rita and Lamar Hunt, Jr. will serve as the honorary chairmen of the Symphony Ball, “The Firebird Ball,” presented by the Symphony League of Kansas City. Mary Leonida is serving as chairman.  The Hunts were married in 2003. Between them, they have nine children and eight grandchildren. Sports aficionados will recognize Rita and Lamar as […]

Dan Moye is a member of the Centurions Fall Class of 2020. He serves on the curriculum committee and is a member of the Economic Development Task Force. Dan has volunteered with JDRF’s Young Leadership Committee. He has worked for the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City for four years. Dan is a principal development […]

Sara Welch and Terri and Doug Curran are the honorary co-chairmen of Kansas City Young Audiences’ Benefit Concert for Arts Education. The September 28th event will be held at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Renée Elise Goldsberry, who received a Tony Award and a Grammy award for her performances off and on Broadway […]

Kathleen Johansen is a senior communications strategist at The University of Kansas Health System. Her love of philanthropy began more than 30 years ago when she became a Brownie in South Carolina. Fundraising clearly made an impact on her because she was consistently her troop’s top Girl Scout cookie seller. Kathleen volunteered at retirement homes […]

The Belles of the American Royal are pleased to announce the selection of Margaret McKee Burditt as the 2019 BOTAR president. Mandy is a BOTAR, class of 1991, and was a BOTAR Page in 1978. Her leadership roles in BOTAR include recording secretary in 2006, and BOTAR Ball vice president in 2015, as well as […]

Cristen Summers and her father, Richard Hudson, have been devoted volunteers at KidsTLC since 2012. Cristen initiated bringing The Birthday Party Project to residential clients. She helps with new attendees and guests at KidsTLC fundraisers and has served as a special event committee member. Richard has been a volunteer at the KidsTLC Open Golf Tournament, […]

André L. Davis’ community work started with Big Brothers Big Sisters. He became a “Big” in the program, mentoring his Little Brother and then joined the board. André is entering his sixth year as a board member (his final year) and also had served on the Diversity Task Force (a subcommittee within BBBSKC) as chairman for several […]

Ashley Renfrew is a project manager and deputy delivery manager with HNTB Corporation. She is a member of the Centurions Spring Class of 2020. Ashley serves on the projects committee and is a co-chairman of the Benchmarking Trip Task Force. Ashley has volunteered with numerous groups. Among the ones she most enjoys are HappyBottoms, Project […]

Estelle Jane Glatt Sosland is serving as the honorary chairman for this year’s Jewel Ball. She was married for 72 years to Morton Irvin Sosland who passed away on April 25th. Estelle was the chairman of The Jewel Ball in 1991, the year that her grandson Andrew Russell Brown was presented. Another highlight of that […]

Andy McDonald is one of the original ushers at The Folly Theater. Always dressed to perfection, Andy has served as an usher since 1981. He is a committed volunteer who helps to preserve The Folly’s history and share it with visitors. Also featured in the May 25, 2019 issue of The Independent  

UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance’s Crescendo will return to the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts on November 8th. Guests will gather in Brandmeyer Great Hall for cocktails and dinner to celebrate talented UMKC Conservatory students who will perform in Helzberg Hall, guided by internationally-acclaimed faculty and teachers of music and dance. After the […]

Kimberly Wilkerson is one of our Rising Stars, Class of 2015. As agency principal and vice president of Haas & Wilkerson Insurance, Kimberly co-owns and operates a privately held retail brokerage and is responsible for community outreach, culture and branding, quality and control, process and procedure, and customer service. She supports a variety of non […]

Chris Albright is a senior vice president of administration at UMB. He came to The Whole Person to volunteer for the organization’s recent Night of Independence Gala. Chris’ wife, Shari, is a physical therapist. The couple is passionate about helping people with disabilities. Chris is a newly-elected member of The Whole Person’s board of directors. […]