Kauffman taps financial exec to help foundation invest in ideas, collaborations that expand opportunity
November 3, 2025 | Startland News Staff
A newly named addition to the leadership cabinet at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is expected to play a crucial role in fostering equitable, inclusive, and sustainable prosperity, said Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace, announcing Ben Clouse as the organization’s chief financial officer.
“Ben brings a proven record of strategic financial leadership and a deep commitment to community,” said Burns-Wallace, president and CEO of the Kauffman Foundation. “His experience guiding organizations through growth and transformation will be invaluable as we continue to invest in ideas and collaborations that expand opportunity.”
The executive joins the Kauffman Foundation after more than 25 years working in top leadership positions across multiple industries. Most recently, he served as CFO for CrossFirst Bankshares, Inc., where he led accounting, analytics, financial planning & analysis, investor relations, and treasury functions, and played a key role in strategic growth initiatives. His previous leadership roles include serving as CFO at Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc., and executive positions at Airshare and H&R Block.
As CFO at the Kauffman Foundation, Clouse is expected to oversee the organization’s financial management, planning, and reporting functions, ensuring resources are effectively aligned to support programmatic and strategic priorities. He will also play a critical leadership role in building systems that promote transparency, accountability, and impact across the organization.
His new role is effective Nov. 11.
“I am honored to join the Kauffman Foundation and contribute to its mission of empowering communities and entrepreneurs,” Clouse said. “Strong financial stewardship is critical to advancing the Foundation’s work, and I look forward to collaborating with the leadership team and associates to extend the Foundation’s impact.”
Clouse holds a Master of Accountancy and Bachelor of Business Administration from Kansas State University.
He also brings deep community engagement experience, the Kauffman Foundation said, noting Clouse serves as board chair of the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas and as a member of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas Finance Council.
Featured Business
2025 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
New collaboration will help OP startup 3D bioprint, scale its next-gen biotech solution
A Kansas biotech startup’s new manufacturing partner will boost efforts to automate and mass produce Ronawk’s headline-grabbing Bio-Block technology — a platform that has already accelerated medical advancements in tissue therapy. “Collaboration is critical for turning research advances into commercial therapies rapidly. The complexity and diversity of modalities is so big that nobody can do…
Museums shouldn’t feel like artifacts, KC firm says; Here’s how Multistudio uses analog experiences to build buzz
Multistudio doesn’t exclusively design museums, but the Westport-based architecture firm — along with Kansas City itself — certainly is having a museum moment, shared Robert Riccardi. The firm’s local portfolio includes a growing number of new-era museums, including The Rabbit Hole, the Laugh-O-gram animation studio, and the Satchel Paige House. They’re not your traditional museums…
Back2KC sets return date for its 2024 homecoming effort, scouting familiar faces to build an even stronger KC
When Back2KC returns this fall, the homegrown talent recruitment initiative will lean on unexpected connections to entice former residents — now out-of-town professionals — to give Kansas City’s recent Golden Age another look, organizers said. “The biggest win we can have is if these expats and ex-Kansas Citians come back, move their families here, move…
‘A piece of something bigger’: Makers help raise fabric of community with Union Station quilt project
A trio of Kansas City maker businesses wove together their talents this spring in support of a new, local health initiative — culminating in a towering expression of hope and healing at Union Station. Ampersand Design Studio, Tia Curtis Quilts, and Collective EX spent the past three weeks designing, fabricating, and displaying a colorful quilt…