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
Black & Veatch delivers first consumer product ever: Solarhood
After more than 100 years in business, engineering giant Black & Veatch has launched its first consumer product: Solarhood. Built through the B&V Growth Accelerator program, the company created Solarhood to streamline the process for homeowners to tap solar power. The Solarhood mobile and web-based app allow homeowners to access the feasibility of going solar,…
Two KC EdTech startups earn spots in latest LEANLAB cohort; launch set for August
It’s a highly selective process to join the fifth LEANLAB K-12 fellowship, said Katie Boody, but two Kansas City startups made the cut. K12 Perform and Base Academy of Music will join four other cohort members — hailing from the Midwest to Washington D.C. — in the August-to-November EdTech accelerator program. LEANLAB is partnering…
HechoKC cast in hand-made image of Chicano artist’s culture, family, community
Witnessing — and participating in — Kansas City’s renaissance has been amazing, said Luis Garcia, the longtime artist behind HechoKC. The Crossroads used to be a ghost town, said Garcia, who has been part of the KC scene since his years at the Kansas City Art Institute. He developed SPYN Studio, a branding and design…
Quartet of startups hop into the Digital Sandbox KC
Four early-stage businesses recently entered the Digital Sandbox KC program. The new startups demonstrate the ingenuity Digital Sandbox aims to attract for its grant-funding efforts, said Jeff Shackelford, director of Digital Sandbox KC. “From helping students prepare for college to analyzing voting records to predict legislative outcomes, the startups in the Sandbox are a great…