Kara Lowe taking KC Tech Council helm as longtime CEO Ryan Weber departs
April 12, 2022 | Startland News Staff
The KC Tech Council will soon welcome a familiar face as its new leader, the organization announced Tuesday.
Kara Lowe, the council’s longtime COO, will succeed Ryan Weber as CEO next month — putting her commitment to Kansas City’s tech sector on full display and allowing her contributions to the regions tech ecosystem to further shape its direction.
“I’m thrilled to lead an organization that is so meaningful to one of Kansas City’s most critical industries,” Lowe said in a release.
Click here to connect with Lowe on LinkedIn.
“Ryan has been a terrific leader and champion of Kansas City’s tech industry and I’m thankful for his support as I step into my new role. The future of our tech industry has never been brighter, and together with our membership, we’re excited to tell that story.”
Ryan Weber, KC Tech Council
The council said Weber will step away from the role he originated upon the council’s founding in 2012. Lowe is expected to assume the position May 27.
“It has been my pleasure to have led the KC Tech Council for the last decade and now it’s my honor to leave the organization in capable hands with a leader who continues to show the dedication necessary to support the future of the organization,” Weber said.
“Together we have witnessed and celebrated incredible industry and organizational growth, and I am confident Kara will experience the same support from community and business leaders that I have.”
Lowe steps into the role at a critical time of growth for the council. The organization launched its Apprenti Tech Apprenticeship Program last year. The initiative — a local offshoot of a national effort that intends to fill 4,000 local tech jobs with skilled workers — was recently awarded a $550,000 grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce.
Click here to learn more about the Apprenti program and its leader, Erin Christensen.
The council’s commitment to policy advocacy work and community building is expected to also hold strong under the leadership of Lowe, added Karen Hornig, board chairperson and CEO of NIPR.
“During her time as COO of the KC Tech Council, Kara has demonstrated the necessary experience, leadership and vision to lead the organization to a new level,” Hornig said.
“On behalf of the KC Tech Council board of directors, we are thankful for Ryan’s service, and thrilled to announce Kara as the next CEO of the KC Tech Council.”
This story is possible thanks to support from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, a private, nonpartisan foundation that works together with communities in education and entrepreneurship to create uncommon solutions and empower people to shape their futures and be successful.
For more information, visit www.kauffman.org and connect at www.twitter.com/kauffmanfdn and www.facebook.com/kauffmanfdn
Related Posts on Startland News
KC Tech Council reboots its visual identity, teases plans to open new downtown HQ
It’ll be new year, new look for KC Tech Council as the regional tech advocate relocates to a collaborative headquarters space in downtown Kansas City, as well as embracing a bold brand update — all coded to better reflect a modern, tech-driven ecosystem. “As KCTC powers initiatives that further establish Kansas City as a premier,…
Missouri’s weapon in the AI race with China: KC tech companies, says GOP lawmaker
As artificial intelligence reshapes the way Kansas City works, civic and elected leaders want to ensure small businesses and the region’s tech community have seats at the table. Federal regulation could help, said Eric Schmitt. “For me, [it’s about] making sure that the big tech companies don’t block out a lot of the innovators, say…
Report: Tech drives nearly a 10th of Kansas City’s economy (and those employers are hiring)
Advocates tout KC for top-tier tech talent; a new report affirms its status as an emerging market with potential for big impact A combination of economic stability, depth and skill of talent, and operational efficiency creates conditions for companies to grow and succeed in Kansas City, said Kara Lowe, detailing new data that suggests the…
KC Tech Council celebrates tax fix in Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ that boosts growing businesses
A tax fix included in the recently signed “One Big Beautiful Bill” — sprawling legislation meant to overhaul taxes in the United States — marks a major win for Kansas City’s tech and innovation economy, said Kara Lowe. At issue: a long-awaited change to Section 174 research and development expensing that now allows businesses to…