Meet the Kauffman Foundation’s newest board member
February 9, 2017 | Bobby Burch
The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation has added a new member to its high-caliber board of trustees.
The foundation announced Thursday that Esther L. George — the current president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City — will serve on its board. As a member of the board, George will support the foundation’s mission of advancing educational achievement and entrepreneurial success.
“I am excited for this opportunity to contribute to the Kauffman Foundation’s mission of developing entrepreneurs, who drive the U.S. economy,” George said in a release. “The importance of the legacy Mr. Kauffman left for Kansas City through his foundation, and the support it provides to this region and beyond, cannot be overstated.”
George was appointed as the Kansas City Fed’s president in 2011 after serving nearly 30 years, most recently as chief operating officer. As president of the Kansas City Fed, she directs Federal Reserve activities in a seven-state region with offices in Kansas City, Omaha, Oklahoma City and Denver. George is also a member of the Federal Open Market committee, which is responsible for setting U.S. monetary policy.
“We are honored to have President George join the Kauffman Board of Trustees,” Kauffman board chairman Janice Kreamer said in a release. “Her deep roots in our community along with her understanding and expertise in economics and finance will greatly inform our work with entrepreneurs around the country. She has the experience and insight to help us move forward on our strategic directions.”
A Missouri native, George received a degree in business administration from Missouri Western State University and an M.B.A. from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She is a graduate of the American Bankers Association Stonier Graduate School of Banking and the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
George joins nine other trustees on the Kauffman board, which you can check out here.

2017 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
HEMP welcomes 20 area entrepreneurs for mentorship
The Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program has selected 20 new entrepreneurs from the Kansas City area to take part in its 2016 program. Inspired by Barnett Helzberg Jr.’s mentoring relationship with Kansas City business legend Ewing Kauffman, HEMP matches seasoned area entrepreneurs with promising mentees. The three-year mentoring program aims to offer its participants new opportunities,…
Mycroft raises $335K for artificial intelligence platform
Weeks after becoming a finalist in the LaunchKC grants competition, Lawrence-based startup Mycroft is riding a hot streak with the closing of its angel investment round. Mycroft — which developed an open-source, artificial intelligence device similar to Amazon Echo — recently raised $335,000 from Kansas City’s Northland Angel Investor Network and Star Power Partners. An affiliate…
1 Million Cups offers new mobile app
One Kansas City’s most popular entrepreneurial events is offering its thousands of fans an app to increase engagement. The 1 Million Cups community in Kansas City and around the world has long asked for an app, and now it’s becoming a reality, said Jordan Marsillo, 1 Million Cups program coordinator. The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation…
Kauffman Foundation, Uber launch grant contest for women-led startups
Female entrepreneurs in Kansas City may not have the luxury of riding a “glass escalator,” but on Oct. 26 they can take an Uber ride for a chance at $120,000. The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation on Tuesday announced UberPITCH, a nationwide pitch competition in partnership with Uber and business accelerator The Refinery. Women-led startups will…
