Kauffman Foundation announces first-ever semifinalists for Uncommon Leader Impact Award
October 23, 2025 | Tommy Felts
A new leadership prize aimed at celebrating changemakers at organizations aligned with the priorities of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is closer to naming its first winner, the influential nonprofit announced Wednesday, revealing 12 semifinalists culled from more than 300 nominations.
“The response from community members across the Kansas City metro area was tremendous,” said Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace, president and CEO of the Kauffman Foundation. “This award is truly community-driven, designed to exemplify the visionary leadership of our founder, Ewing Marion Kauffman, through innovative, generous, and meaningful work in the community.”
The Kauffman Uncommon Leader Impact Award is specifically designed to honor a non-C-suite employee at a 501(c)(3) public charity who drives meaningful impact through work that advances the foundation’s priorities to advance economic mobility and who demonstrates significant contributions to the Kansas City region’s well being, growth, and empowerment.
Next, five finalists will be named. Out of those finalists, one awardee will receive $50,000 personally and $100,000 for their organization. The winner is expected to be announced at a celebration Dec. 11 in Kansas City.
Click here to learn more about the Uncommon Leader Impact Award and its 12 semifinalists, which include:
- Joel Barrett, Small Business Development Center
- Theo Bunch, Cornerstones of Care
- Keva Gorman, Prep-KC
- Candace Ladd, Heartland Center for Jobs and Freedom
- Dr. Rachel Melson, Swope Health Services
- Dr. Michael Moncure, Truman Medical Center
- Anna Munguia, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City
- Katie Nixon, West Central Community Development Corporation/New Growth
- Alex Perez, Hispanic Development Fund
- Kimberly Weaver, Community Health Council of Wyandotte
- Lily Wilson, Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kansas City
- Brandon Yangmi, Art as Mentorship
In late June, the Kauffman Foundation launched a campaign asking the local community for nominations to recognize everyday Kansas Citians doing extraordinary things to uplift their neighbors and neighborhoods, highlighting the people who are creating lasting change through bold and compassionate action.
The hundreds of nominees submitted reflect widespread commitment to uplifting Kansas City — many pathways uniting for essentially one common cause, Burns-Wallace said.
“It’s the collective impact of every person nominated that helps move our neighbors, our communities, and our city forward,” she said.
Featured Business
2025 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
TEDx ‘breaks through’ in Wyandotte County
This year, TEDxWyandotte seeks to break down barriers in their urban community. Wyandotte County, Kan., a community known for its diversity and urban challenges, is currently in a state of transition. The county as a whole is working towards neighborhood and school improvements, ultimately hoping to claim a new position in the Kansas City metropolitan.…
KC firm Handy Camel raising $600K for invention workshop
What do sheep farming and innovation have to do with one another? Quite a lot, if North Kansas City-based Handy Camel is any indication. Since he was a boy, Handy Camel CEO Tom Gray has fostered an innovative ethos, creating a number of doodads to make his work easier as a sheep farmer in New Zealand.…
Rawxies founder: ‘I didn’t give up’ on fundraising in KC
Vegan snack manufacturer Rawxies is en route to closing a funding round that will significantly increase its production. The Kansas City-based company has now raised $512,000 of its seed round, which will boost manufacturing of its raw, vegan snacks by roughly 400 percent. Investors thus far include England’s family, Liz and Brian Kelly, the Women’s…
Meet KC’s Cisco Smart City leaders
Kansas City Mayor Sly James announced on Friday 11 people to serve on the city’s Smart City Advisory Board. With a mixture of corporate, non-profit and civic experience, the board will manage and guide policies for Kansas City’s public-private Smart City project. Announced in the summer of 2014, the project will turn downtown into a…