Nonprofit founder, tech people leader join Kauffman as trustees on shared mission: economic inclusivity
May 22, 2025 | Startland News Staff
The year-long transformation of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation continues this week as the influential philanthropic organization announced two new trustees meant to bolster its rebooted grantmaking strategy and commitment to driving equitable economic mobility in Kansas City.
Newly appointed leaders to the Kauffman Foundation’s Board of Trustees, Aimée Eubanks Davis and Kristen Ludgate bring diverse expertise that strengthens the foundation’s trio of refined priorities: college access and completion, workforce and career development, and entrepreneurship.
Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace, president and CEO of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, right, speaks Thursday during the Networked for Change summit in Wichita; photo courtesy of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
“Aimée and Kristen represent the next generation of values-driven, community-minded leaders who understand what it takes to turn opportunity into impact,” said Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace, president and CEO of the Kauffman Foundation. “We’re honored to have them join us at this pivotal moment in our journey.”
The addition of the new trustees is a critical step in ensuring broad perspectives in grantmaking and community partnerships from leaders with national experience in fields that span education, workforce development, and business ownership, the foundation said in a press release.
Selected through a competitive national search led by CBIZ Talent Solutions, Eubanks Davis and Ludgate were elected to a three-year term on a board of 12 trustees. The duo joins a community-focused group that already includes Burns-Wallace, Susan Chambers, Matt Condon, Karen Daniel, Esther L. George, Anita Newton, Carlos Rangel, Paul Schofer, Carmen Tapio, and Maurice Alvin Watson.
“They bring unique strengths and proven leadership to help advance the foundation’s strategic priorities for college access and completion, workforce and career development, and entrepreneurship,” said George, chair for the board of trustees. “Their voices will be critical in ensuring our work reflects the aspirations and needs of the communities we serve.”
Click here to read more about the Kauffman Foundation’s strategy.
Eubanks Davis is the founder and CEO of Braven, a national nonprofit dedicated to closing the education-to-employment gap for underrepresented college students.
A Chicago native and former sixth-grade teacher, she led Braven to serve thousands of students through partnerships with higher education institutions and employers across the country. Her extensive experience in human capital, education equity, and talent development reflects a deep alignment with the foundation’s goals in education and workforce pathways.
Ludgate most recently served as chief people officer at HP Inc., where she led global talent, culture, and inclusion strategies for one of the world’s most recognized technology companies.
Her career has spanned leadership roles in human resources, law, communications, and philanthropy, including as president of the 3M Foundation and executive vice president of HR at 3M. Ludgate is a passionate advocate for inclusive leadership and the future of work, and she brings expertise in organizational transformation and employee development.
ICYMI: Kauffman earmarks $32M in grants to boost entrepreneurship, workforce, education efforts
Featured Business
2025 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Kimberly Gandy: Proof a startup can emerge stronger from its founder’s cancer diagnosis
Cancer needn’t mean can’t, Kimberly Gandy said. When the Play-It Health founder and CEO was diagnosed with an aggressive, mid-stage cancer in May 2016, her startup found itself at a crossroads. Gandy had just joined the Kansas City-based Pipeline fellowship and her company was poised for growth through its web- and mobile-based health regimen tracking…
Code Ninjas uses karate format to punch into KC youth STEM scene
Students often want more than their schools can offer, said Jason Hansen, of Code Ninjas. For some, that’s competitive sports teams or specialty athletics, he said. Others yearn for greater STEM-based learning opportunities — like those offered at Hansen’s Leawood center. “It’s just like you might have a dance studio, or a baseball academy,” Hansen…
Landlocked, Marknology startups ‘killing it on Amazon,’ KC founder says
Landlocked is a brand many Kansas Citians recognize on sight, founder Andrew Morgans said. Marknology is the behind-the-scenes engine that sells it. While his dual companies — an apparel startup known for its popular hybrid pennant tee and a bootstrapped digital marketing firm specializing in Amazon sales — complement one another, the pairing is an…
Lula raises $420K, fueling expansion of home service offerings
A $420,000 funding round from Kansas City area investors will accelerate tech startup Lula to expand in Kansas City and soon two more large metros, CEO and founder Bo Lais said. The Overland Park-based firm is eyeing Phoenix and Dallas as its next service areas, but it first plans to focus on marketing its on-demand…