Kauffman narrows Uncommon Leader contenders to five finalists from community orgs
November 12, 2025 | Startland News Staff
Kansas City leaders advancing toward the Kauffman Foundation’s high-profile impact award all demonstrate bold, creative, and inclusive leadership, said Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace, announcing five finalists for the inaugural honor.
“Each of these leaders reminds us that one person can make a difference, and that compassion and dedication can change the lives of the people we serve,” said Burns-Wallace, president and CEO of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. “We’re honored to celebrate the finalists, their work, and their impact in Kansas City.”
Curation of the Uncommon Leader Impact Award finalists began in June when the Kauffman Foundation asked the community for nominations to recognize everyday Kansas Citians doing extraordinary things to uplift their neighbors and neighborhoods. Three hundred nominations highlighted the people who are creating lasting change through bold and compassionate action, organizers said.
One winning finalist will receive $50,000, personally, and $100,000 for their nonprofit.
The Kauffman Foundation revealed a list of 12 semifinalists in November.
The Uncommon Leader Impact Award specifically recognizes non-C-suite employees at 501(c)(3) public charities who drive meaningful impact through their work aligned with the Kauffman Foundation’s mission to advance equitable economic mobility. Those who advance in the process exemplify the core values of the organization’s founder, Ewing Marion Kauffman, and demonstrate significant contributions to the Kansas City region, organizers said previously.
Finalists for the honor — set to be announced Dec. 11 at an Kauffman Uncommon Leader Impact Award celebration event — include:
- Joel Barrett, senior business development consultant, Small Business Development Center at UMKC
- Dr. Rachel Melson, outreach clinic director, Swope Health Services
- Anna Munguia, director of community outreach, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City
- Kimberly Weaver, program director, Community Health Council of Wyandotte
- Brandon Yangmi, program director, Rebel Song Academy, Art as Mentorship
Click here to learn more about the finalists, as well as previously announced semifinalists.
Featured Business
2025 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Look into serial entrepreneur Jeff Hoffman’s toolkit of inspiration
“What if you applied the skills of entrepreneurship to everything that you do?” serial entrepreneur Jeff Hoffman asked a crowd at Union Station on Thursday. As Hoffman took the stage as Techweek Kansas City’s keynote speaker, he did just that. Applying the skill of “adaptability,” he decided to nix his slide deck and improvise. A…
Events Preview: The Power of Inventing
There are a boatload of entrepreneurial events hosted in Kansas City on a weekly basis. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, supporter or curious Kansas Citian, we’d recommend these upcoming events for you. WEEKLY EVENT PREVIEW Women in Tech Breakfast at Union Station When: September 16 @ 8:00 am – 9:00 am Where: 30 W. Pershing…
HEMP welcomes 20 area entrepreneurs for mentorship
The Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program has selected 20 new entrepreneurs from the Kansas City area to take part in its 2016 program. Inspired by Barnett Helzberg Jr.’s mentoring relationship with Kansas City business legend Ewing Kauffman, HEMP matches seasoned area entrepreneurs with promising mentees. The three-year mentoring program aims to offer its participants new opportunities,…
Mycroft raises $335K for artificial intelligence platform
Weeks after becoming a finalist in the LaunchKC grants competition, Lawrence-based startup Mycroft is riding a hot streak with the closing of its angel investment round. Mycroft — which developed an open-source, artificial intelligence device similar to Amazon Echo — recently raised $335,000 from Kansas City’s Northland Angel Investor Network and Star Power Partners. An affiliate…