Coming home to KC: Brandon Haggard is sharpening his axe with humility

Editor’s note: The following story was written and first published by the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri (EDCKC). Click here to read the original story.

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For Brandon Haggard, returning to the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri (EDCKC) wasn’t just a career decision. It was a commitment — to impact, Kansas City, and building a future worth staying for, he said.

After spending time living and working abroad, including stints in Brazil and India, Haggard knew his next move needed to be more than a job.

“I wanted my next chapter to mean something,” he said. “There were opportunities out there that offered great salaries or clear-cut roles, but what I was looking for was impact. And Kansas City has always pulled me back.”

That magnetic pull is more than hometown pride. For Haggard, Kansas City is a place full of possibility — a city where people still say yes to coffee meetings, where collaboration is the norm, and where change doesn’t feel out of reach.

“We’ve got challenges here, just like any other major city,” he said. “But what’s different is the accessibility. If you’ve got a vision and you’re serious about solving problems, Kansas City gives you a shot.”

Brandon Haggard, Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri; photo by Brian Escobar, EDCKC

Now back at EDCKC, Haggard is sharpening his focus, both literally and figuratively.

“I keep going back to that Abraham Lincoln quote, ‘If I had five hours to chop down a tree, I’d spend four sharpening my axe,'” he said. “Right now, I’m in axe-sharpening mode, learning the players, understanding the systems, and building the relationships we’ll need to solve the city’s biggest problems.”

That systems-level view is what excites him most, he said.

Rather than jumping straight into execution, Haggard is taking a step back to ask deeper questions: Who’s already doing good work? Where can EDCKC be a better convener? And how do we turn social and intellectual capital into real change for neighborhoods, families, and the local economy?

He believes the answer lies in being present — not just in boardrooms, but in committee meetings, coffee shops, and cross-sector conversations.

“Sometimes it’s not about launching something new,” Haggard said. “It’s about showing up, offering support, and helping existing groups do what they do better. That’s what it means to be a connector.”

At the core of his approach is a belief in people and in grace.

“My faith plays a big role in how I lead. We’re all figuring things out, and I try to carry that humility into every conversation,” he shared. “It’s not about having all the answers. It’s about knowing who to bring to the table and being willing to listen.”

Brandon Haggard, Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri; photo by Brian Escobar, EDCKC

So far, Haggard’s favorite part of the role after his return to EDCKC has been learning from others, especially those working on similar challenges in other cities, he said. From urban planners in Vancouver to economic developers across the U.S., he’s found value in broadening his lens.

“At the end of the day, we’re all dealing with the same issues — housing, affordability, workforce development. But different places are approaching them in different ways,” he said. “It’s helpful to hear those strategies and ask, ‘What could work here?’”

Haggard is energized by Kansas City’s momentum and the global stage that lies ahead.

“With the World Cup coming and our biosciences and advanced manufacturing sectors growing, we have an opportunity to reintroduce ourselves to the world,” he said. “But we also have a responsibility to get it right, to make sure the growth we’re creating is inclusive and sustainable.”

That’s why he’s here. Not for the title. Not for the routine. But for the mission.

“Kansas City is worth investing in,” Haggard said. “It always has been. And now, I get to help build the kind of city I’ve always believed it could be.”