Young professional’s creative advisory panel will help further a culture of innovation in city government
Mayor James announced today the appointment of 30 young professionals to his Challenge Cabinet, a new board tasked with developing innovative, forward-thinking civic policies that reflect the evolving needs of our City. The Mayor recognized the group at his State of the City Address on March 19 at the Gem Theater.
The four-week-long application period opened at the end of January and 160 young professionals applied for a Cabinet position. The appointed members represent a cross-sector of various industries in the public and private sectors, and bring a diverse set of experiences and perspectives to the Cabinet. The group will work closely with Ashley Z. Hand, the City’s Chief Innovation Officer, the Mayor’s staff, and various entrepreneurial institutions in Kansas City, including the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Bloch School of Management and the Kauffman Foundation.
“I’m blown away by the talent sitting on the Challenge Cabinet,” said Mayor Sly James. “The breadth of their expertise and experience will have a lasting impact on the daily operations of the City. I’m excited to see the results of their work.”
Members of the Mayor’s Challenge Cabinet are:
Brooke Beason – Digital Consultant
Leanne Breiby – Director of Communications, Greater Kansas City Community Foundation
Erika Brice – Self Employed, Real Estate
Scott Chrostek – Lead Pastor, Resurrection Downtown
Sarah Darmitzel – Structural Engineer, Burns & McDonnell
Tom Demetriou – Executive Creative Director at Barkley
Tim Duggan – Director of Make It Right: Innovations & Owner of Phronesis
Chris Evans – Owner T-Shirt King, Inc.
John Gordon, Jr. – Founder, BoysGrow
Amanda Graor – Air Quality Program Manager, Mid-America Regional Council
Tami Greenberg – Vice President of Strategy Development, United Way of Greater Kansas City
Kirk Hasenzahl – CEO, RareWire
Nicole D. Higgins – Lecturer, University of Missouri-Kansas City
Troy Lillebo – Assistant Vice Chancellor for External Relations, UMKC
Kristin Littrell – Freelance marketing and communications for nonprofits
David R. Lloyd – Co-owner Method KC Haberdashery, Attorney, Part-Time Professor
UMKC Bloch School of Business
Marshall Lockton – Management, Lockton Companies
Gnani Mahalingam – Transportation Engineer, City of Kansas City, MO
Jared Miller – Engineer, HNTB
Luke D. Norris – Director, Business Development/Code for America
Alejandro Ogata – Senior Designer, HNTB Architecture
Kate O’Neill Rauber – Founder and CEO, Sink Cycle and KORPR
Jeff Phillips – SVP, Missouri Bank & Trust
Kyle Rogers – Digital Engagement Strategist, Associated Wholesale Grocers
Rachel Scott – Public Relations and Marketing Director, SWC
Shane Spencer – Founder & CEO of Green REIT
Luke Wade – Interactive Web Developer at VML, Owner/Manager of KC-Crew.com and Co-Creator/President of Social-Heart.com
Alissa Wehmueller – Interior Designer, 360 Architecture
Jase Wilson – CEO, Neighbor.ly
Bill Ye – Digital Services Director/Global Prairie
The Challenge Cabinet’s first meeting is May 11th and is expected to have a finalized work plan and calendar submitted to the Mayor in June.
