Five high-profile KC startup, business leaders slated for Junior Achievement hall of fame
April 23, 2020 | Startland News Staff
A program that connects Kansas City business leaders with classrooms is giving high honors to a handful of startup veterans whose efforts to build global companies has already impacted a new generation of entrepreneurs.
Bruce Ianni and Davyeon Ross, co-founders of ShotTracker; Christine Kemper, founding chair of Kansas City Girls Preparatory Academy, and Sandy Kemper, founder, chairman, and CEO of C2FO (both are founders of YEPKC, an organization focused on nurturing entrepreneurship in high school students); and Peter Mallouk, president of Creative Planning, have been selected for 2020 induction into the Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City Business Hall of Fame.
ShotTracker and C2FO both were featured on multiple lists of Startland News’ Kansas City Startups to Watch.
“Our 2020 laureates inspire Kansas City’s students by showing them how an innovative spirit combined with hard work can leave a lasting impact on the community,” said Kathy Rhodes, chairman of the Junior Achievement board and lead managing director at CBIZ. “I am proud to honor these business leaders for their role in making Kansas City a hub of creativity, entrepreneurship, and a fantastic place to work and live.”
Editor’s note: C2FO and the Kemper Family Foundation are financial supporters of STARTLAND, the parent organization of Startland News. Christine Kemper sits on the board of STARTLAND. Davyeon Ross is a former board member for the Kansas City Startup Foundation, now STARTLAND. This report was produced independently by Startland News.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2020, the annual Junior Achievement hall of fame event has previously recognized such entrepreneurs as Ewing Marion Kauffman, Dave Cummings, Barnett and Shirley Helzberg, Gary Fish, and Henry Bloch.
A luncheon celebration of the 2020 honorees is planned for Nov. 6 at The Gallery Event Space in Kansas City.
Click here for more in-depth bios of the honorees.
Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City aims to bring business back to the classroom by connecting students to mentors and programs that promote financial literacy, inspire entrepreneurship, and prepare students (K-12) for success in a 21st century workplace.
Featured Business

2020 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Greitens creates Innovation Task Force to accelerate Missouri startup growth
On Monday, Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens launched a task force to spur startup activity and innovation in the State of Missouri. The governor’s Innovation Task Force will give an overall assessment of innovation in the Show Me State, analyze other states to glean best practices and develop specific recommendations. “While Missouri has emerged as a…
Events Preview: Innovation Exchange, E Day at the K
There are a plethora of entrepreneurial events hosted in Kansas City on a weekly basis. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, supporter, or curious community member — we recommend these upcoming events for you. Are you hosting a relevant community event? Feel free to add it to the FWD/KC calendar for increased exposure. Once your event…
Networking with water balloons? Startup Games returns to Liberty Memorial lawn
With its official kickoff Friday morning, 1Week KC is returning in 2017 with an event to challenge area professionals with a variety of yard games near the Liberty Memorial. Presented by area recreation league KC Crew, the Startup Games are a relay-type competition in which participants are randomly broken up into teams and separated from…
Altruistic underwear maker MADI Apparel grows with chic, empathic approach
Hayley Besheer always considered herself to be a passionate and empathetic person. But what she initially struggled with was to figure out how to best contribute those skills to the world. “If you bring positive energy into the world, then you get it back,” Besheer said. “When you bring trust to the table, you get…

