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
For its KC intro, WeWork plans event series to connect
In efforts to pump up the Kansas City community prior to its launch, WeWork announced KC Connected, an event series at its new Corragain Station coworking space. The first event is May 10 and aims to get local entrepreneurs prepared for the coworking giant’s global grant competition, the Creator Awards. “Our goal is to help…
RideKC builds Uber-like app for Kansas Citians with disabilities
For Kansas City residents with disabilities, it’s difficult to rely on bus schedules to get from place to place — even with paratransit options. Starting May 1, Kansas City residents with disabilities will have access to an on-demand option. The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority recently developed the ride-hailing app RideKC Freedom On-Demand, which will start…
Mobility Designed raises nearly $900K from iiM, local investors
The seed round for Kansas City-based Mobility Designed is approaching seven figures following the support of a local investment firm. Overland Park-based Innovation in Motion (iiM) recently joined the medical device startup’s round, which is approaching $900,000 and comprised mostly of individual investors. Led by CEO Liliana Younger, Mobility Designed created the M+D Crutch, a…
KC Smart City wins ‘Oscar of Innovation,’ a gold Edison Award
Validating a bold technology plan by a variety of public and private organizations, Kansas City’s Smart City initiative recently won a prestigious Edison Award for innovation. The City of Kansas City, Mo., Sprint, Cisco, Think Big Partners and other organizations won a gold award in the category of connected collaboration from the Edison Awards in…