William Trakas is an associate architect with BNIM Architects. He is a member of Centurions, where he has served as co-chairman of the diversity, equity, and inclusion committee and as a member of the Creative Scene Task Force. William has volunteered with Uplift, Prep-KC, The Groundhog Run, and Giving The Basics. He graduated from Tulane […]

Nate Chastain is a commercial insurance broker for Lockton Companies, where he negotiates insurance programs for other companies. Nate and his wife, Nichelle, have a son, Otto. He is a member of Centurions, and he has been thrilled with the program. Nate’s favorite volunteer opportunity is with Urban Christian Academy, which is a private, tuition-free […]

Bess Wallerstein Huff is the director of marketing and community outreach at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Her primary focus right now has been to offer support to arts organizations and cultural institutions that have been negatively impacted due to COVID-19. “As a member of the arts community, I have been dedicating time […]

Susan and Ernie Straub III are the honorary presidents, and Karen and Craig Gaffney are the presidents for the 47th Annual Snow Ball, which will be held on January 16th. For the first time ever, the Snow Ball will be a completely virtual experience, with friends hosting their own in-home parties to engage guests. Proceeds […]

Alane Watts joined Lead to Read KC as a reading mentor in 2016 because she believes, “By helping develop strong readers, we impact the future of our community. We give students the foundation to thrive academically and achieve their dreams.” Alane volunteers alongside nearly two dozen of her colleagues from American Century Investments, many of […]

Kelsey Rockey is in her second year as a Centurion, where she has served as the co-chairman of the recruiting committee, is on the retreat committee, and will serve with the Healthcare Task Force later this year. Kelsey is the director of account services at Parris Communications. She has given her time and talent to […]

In his second year as a Centurion, Greg Moore has served on the diversity equity inclusion committee, the Sports, Park, and Recreation Task Force, and the steering committee. Professionally, this sports enthusiast has been with the Kansas City Royals’ marketing department, Andrews McMeel Publishing, and Pro Athlete, before his current position as COO of Charlie […]

Jen Houston is a senior vice president and community relations manager for UMB Financial Corporation. As a member of Centurions, Jen is the chairman for the Centurions’ Spring Cohort’s Environmentalism Task Force, and she has served on the steering committee. Jen has a bachelor of journalism degree and a bachelor of arts degree in Spanish […]

Sometimes the simple solution is the best one. The Salvation Army relies on a multitude of bell ringers stationed beside their signature red kettles for fundraising. Last year, volunteers spent more than 5,000 hours ringing bells. The sound of the bells draws attention to the kettles, and attracts passersby to donate their change – and […]

Chuck Cuda is a principal/broker at Opes Commercial Real Estate. He is on the board of trustees of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Mid-America Chapter. Chuck has served as a member of the Light the Night executive leadership committee and was chairman of the event in 2018. Chuck organized his own event, Green Tie Gala, […]

Karen Crnkovich has been a member of the Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri for 16 years and is serving as the 2020-21 president. Karen has served on the board of directors for four years and in many other roles, including director of fund development, director of training, board assistant, Holiday Mart co-chairman, and advocacy […]

Teaching math might not be everyone’s idea of happiness, but for Moe Chizari, it’s exactly what the semi-retired accountant and volunteer loves to do. Moe spends his free time working with Literacy KC’s program, High School Equivalency Test preparedness. Giving back motivates Moe to do the work of teaching, and the joy comes when students, […]

If you’re driving by 71st Street and Mission Road in Prairie Village, you’ll notice that there’s a new kid in town. He is part of the sculpture Fifties Freedom In The Village. Brad Johnson wanted to honor his bicycle-riding friends, and E.S. Schubert, who is known as Spencer, created the artwork. Both men graduated from […]

Karly Scholl is in her second year as a Centurion, where she has served on the Education Task Force and is on the projects committee. This married mother of two earned a bachelor’s degree from Minnesota State University and a master’s degree from Iowa State University. She joined CommunityAmerica Credit Union in 2017,  tasked with […]

Anne Keil was recently elected president of the Kansas City Young Matrons, where she has been a member since 2013. Anne previously served as admissions chairman, new member chairman, and director of community service for the organization. Anne, and her husband, Bruce, are the parents of two adult children. Kansas City Young Matrons is in […]

The Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri’s Holiday Mart is known as “the mart with heart,” and as such the organization selects beneficiaries as partners for each year’s shopping event. One of the community partners is Solace House. Solace House brings expert care, comfort, guidance, and hope to approximately 2,500 families per year dealing with life-threatening […]

Nancy Phelps is a member of Centurions Spring Class of 2021. She is the director of community impact at JE Dunn Construction, where she promotes corporate and employee engagement throughout JE Dunn’s 21 offices. She works with the Dunn Family Foundation and JE Dunn’s corporate philanthropy. Nancy completed her undergraduate degree at Tabor College, and […]

The name might sound familiar, but the individuality, work ethic, and passion are completely original for locally born President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City, Dr. Dred Scott. Being named for the figure in the 1857 legal case that went all the way to the Supreme Court, Dr. Scott is […]

The Abbott will be the site of The Whole Person’s Gatsby Gala Night of Independence on September 26th. CJ and Scott Charbonneau will be the honorary chairmen, with Jordan Ward and John Miller as co-chairmen. Honorees will be individuals, businesses, and organizations that are working to further The Whole Person’s mission to assist people with […]

October 14th is the date for Kansas City Young Audiences’ (KCYA) Spark the Arts in Young Hearts luncheon, which will be held at The Madrid Theatre. Michael Fields is the honorary chairman, and Jill Warren is serving as the chairman. Guests will experience inspiring performances by students and teaching artists. This year, KCYA is pleased […]

Jason Carter-Solomon is vice president of commercial real estate and commercial banking at Enterprise Bank & Trust. He specializes in helping business owners, real estate developers, and investors purchase commercial real estate and businesses and manage their working capital. In 2013, Jason was the first Master of Science in Entrepreneurial Real Estate graduate at the […]