Startup community organizers named to Chamber’s new Centurions class

February 15, 2019  |  Startland News Staff

Davin Gordon, Courtney Windholz, and John Coler, Centurions

A trio of faces familiar within the Kansas City startup community have joined the city’s oldest and premier leadership development program.

The 35-member list of incoming Centurions — which includes John Coler, product owner at RFP360 and Startup Weekend organizer; Davin Gordon, business development officer at AltCap; and Courtney Windholz, COO at PROOF and former 1 Million Cups Kansas City organizer — was announced this week by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.

Coler and Gordon have been featured in Startland’s popular KCultivator Q&A series, while Windholz was profiled as a serial entrepreneur..

“Centurions’ motto of ‘learn, serve, lead’ means this next generation of leaders is not only continuing to lead Kansas City forward, but they’re also committed to lifting up our community right now,” said Joe Reardon, KC Chamber president and CEO.

The newest Centurions were selected based on a rigorous application and interview process, according to the organization, noting Coler, Gordon, and Windholz are set to begin a two-year, self-directed program that prepares emerging leaders across Greater Kansas City.  

For 43 years, Centurions alums have included CEOs, federal judges, heads of nonprofit organizations, lawmakers, and many more of the region’s most impactful leaders.

Check out the full list of new Centurions below.

startland-tip-jar

TIP JAR

Did you enjoy this post? Show your support by becoming a member or buying us a coffee.

2019 Startups to Watch

    stats here

    Related Posts on Startland News

    Jene’ Hong, E-Scholars mentor

    Ego gets you in trouble — open ears get you business, UMKC E-Scholars mentor says

    By Tommy Felts | August 29, 2019

    Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Regnier Institute, but was independently produced by Startland News. If ego runs the show, a founder won’t succeed, Jene’ Hong said as she cracked jokes laced with straightforward advice.  “If we have a big ego, we can’t listen to other people and that’s…

    Govs. Laura Kelly, D-Kansas, and Mike Parson, R-Missouri

    Report: Kansas, Missouri economies hinge on homegrown startups, not border war wins

    By Tommy Felts | August 29, 2019

    Kansas and Missouri must “grow from within” if the neighboring states aim to successfully confront structural challenges that face their economies, said Amy Liu, a contributor at national think tank the Brookings Institution. The “historic handshake” between Govs. Laura Kelly, D-Kansas, and Mike Parson, R-Missouri, earlier this month marked the symbolic end to an ongoing…

    Mike Plunkett and John Thomson, PayIt

    Payit, C2FO making biggest waves, but funding for smaller companies still jumped 81 percent

    By Tommy Felts | August 28, 2019

    Editor’s note: The following is the first in a series of analyses of Startland’s list of Kansas City’s Top Venture Capital-Backed Companies. Proof points matter, said John Thomson. “We’re evidence — based on the $100 million-plus growth equity investment we closed this spring — that you can build a world-class tech company in Kansas City,”…

    Shampoo Bar, Bear Soap, Soap Bar

    Mid Coast Modern founder joins Westport bar scene with sudsy, eco-friendly concept

    By Tommy Felts | August 28, 2019

    Matt Bramlette bathes in the wordplay of it all. His new venture in Kansas City’s quirky Westport entertainment district — known for its shops, restaurants and bars — floats a clean business prop: bars of soap with a low carbon footprint. Hence, “Soap Bar.” Just a few feet away from his popular retail storefront Mid…