WIN for KC’s 24th annual Women’s Sports Awards Celebration Luncheon will be held on February 7th in the Grand Ballroom of the Kansas City Convention Center. Olympic Bronze Medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad is the keynote speaker. Ibtihaj is a member of the United States Fencing Team. In August of 2016, Ibtihaj became the first American woman […]

Annually a class of dynamic, charismatic, charitable, passionate, hard-working professionals are chosen to be honored as KC’s Most Wanted. These individuals are movers and shakers who are making a big difference in their profession and in their community. The selected honorees are featured in the November issue of The Independent and will be honored at the annual […]

Jessica Dickson has served as the chairman of the American Cancer Society’s Coaches vs. Cancer Season Tipoff for the past three years. She has been on the committee for more than 10 years. Jessica’s dedication – and her passion – have been instrumental in making this event such a tremendous success. Coaches vs. Cancer: (Front […]

  Jake Jacobson is the director of public relations at Children’s Mercy. According to Rachel Hodgson, Great Plains SPCA; he has accomplished more than many non-profit public relations professionals in their entire careers and continues to reset the bar higher and higher. “Jake is able to tap into skills and experience from a diverse background […]

Catholic Charities Foundation of Northeast Kansas’ 44th Annual Snow Ball  will be held on January 20th at the Overland Park Convention Center. Guests will enjoy a cocktail reception, formal dinner and dancing into the night. Susan and Mike Gangel are the honorary presidents, and Maureen and Mike Bukaty are serving as the presidents of the […]

Rhonda Dolan is a member of Centurions, class of 2018. She serves as co-chairman of the recruitment committee and is a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure and Healthcare Task Forces. A graduate of Illinois State University, Rhonda is external sales director with Truman Medical Centers. Much of Rhonda’s volunteer work is centered around youth/teen […]

If your to-do list includes coordinating the set-up, the volunteers and the electricity for a big event, in addition to managing the behind-the-scenes operations, that makes you head of logistics. If you’re doing all that for Stems: A Garden Soirée at The Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, you’re Leo Handzlik. If you’re Leo, your […]

Lydia Allen spent seven years in Indianapolis, Indiana, where she studied at Butler University and worked for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Four years ago, she moved back to Kansas City. Lydia is the Manager of Individual and Leadership Gifts at ArtsKC. She is a member of Centurions, class of 2018. Her current Centurions activities include serving […]

Soprano Laurel Weir is a native of Canton, Ohio. She is the face of UMKC’s Crescendo, a scholarship fundraising event for the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance, which will take place at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts on November 10th. Laurel is working on her Artist’s Certificate in vocal studies and chose […]

Matthew Schulte describes his job (coordinator – marketing) this way: he is part of the team that handles giveaways, special events, theme nights, promotions, and advertising for the Kansas City Royals. He has been employed with the Royals for more than six  years. Matthew is a member of Centurions, class of 2018. He serves on […]

When 2017 Most Wanted Honoree Darron Story is not working in the financial technology sector for EML Payments, he is a husband, father of six and grandfather of three. Darron hosts a weekly gospel music show on Magic 107.3, sings in his church and performs with his R&B group, Lo-Key. Mentoring is very important to Darron. He understands the […]

Klassie Alcine is the director of community engagement at Goodwill of Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas. She oversees and advances activities within Greater Kansas City, including fundraising, special events and community partnerships. Klassie also is furthering her education and development as a leader in the non-profit sector in her completion of a master’s of public […]

Bartle Hall is the site for the Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri’s Holiday Mart on October 19th through the 22nd. Not only will shoppers find great gifts, (including some for themselves), but the event benefits the community. For example, two of the beneficiaries are Wayside Waifs and Happy Bottoms. More than 5,400 animals will […]

Prairie Village native Ben Bliss will be the featured performer at the 2018 Lyric Opera Ball. This is the 60th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee Ball, and the theme is “An Evening of Bel Canto.” The gala will be held on April 14th at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center. The honorary chairmen are Carol […]

2017 Most Wanted Honoree Mimi Kippes starts each day at one of her favorite local spots, CrossFit Memorial Hill, before going to work at The Fontaine Hotel, where she serves as Senior Sales Manager. Mimi is passionate about her two children, Amelia and Henry. She looks forward to family reunions at her parents’ home on […]

2017 Most Wanted Honoree Kama Moseley is a producer in the Signature Client Group, Lockton’s personal lines department. Never imagining that she would become so passionate about insurance, Kama soon understood that it is a way to help people and that has always been the driving force behind her career and life path. Along with […]

Maurice Watson’s home will be the lovely setting for The Epsten Gallery’s House Party. The second annual event will be held on November 1st. Kim Klein and Anne Russ are serving as co-chairmen of the fun, art-filled evening. The event will also promote Built Environments, the multi-media exhibition installed at the gallery from October 22nd […]

Committee members are preparing for Saint Luke’s East Hospital’s Boo Ball. The October 14th event will be held at The Pavilion at John Knox Village. Laura and Dale Maxwell are the honorary chairmen, and Kari Simpson and Judy Schmoeger are serving as co-chairmen of the circus-themed gala that will feature cocktails, delectable fare, silent and […]

2017 Most Wanted Honoree Liz Lewis is Vice President of Commercial Banking at CommunityAmerica Credit Union. She is passionate about Kansas City and is committed to serving the needs of our community by supporting local businesses and volunteering with youth programs. Liz believes the future of our community depends on youth advocacy and mentorship from […]

Meagan Dowell is a supervising senior tax associate at CBIZ MHM and is a member of the 2017 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 […]

2017 Most Wanted Honoree Colby Jones is Chief Financial Officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City. He began his involvement with BBBS as a bowling captain at Bowl for Kids’ Sake in 1998. Colby was a Big Brother for 10 years and was named Big Brother of the Year for the state […]