Startland enters new chapter with leadership transition, momentum for news, education programs

A leadership change at Startland is an opportunity for growth within the organization’s dual marquee programs — both of which have evolved rapidly since their inception as ecosystem-building efforts in Kansas City, the organization’s interim CEO said.

Business operations for Startland News and its sister program, Startland Education, are now being steered by the two program leaders after the departure of Startland’s longtime CEO, Adam Arredondo.

Katie Kimbrell, Startland Edu

Austin Barnes, Startland News

“We’re all looking forward to seeing where Adam takes his talents next. I’m certain the Kansas City community will benefit from it, no matter where he ends up,” said Matthew Mellor, interim CEO for Startland.

“Fortunately, Adam leaves behind an organization with strong, dedicated leadership,” continued Mellor, a Startland board member and former Startland strategy and partner development director. “Startland is well-positioned for continued growth and community impact.” 

Mellor, an exited founder and active member of multiple entrepreneur mentoring organizations in Kansas City, continues to advise Startland’s leadership team as the search begins for a full-time CEO to guide the organization, which dates back to 2014 in Kansas City’s Startup Village.

Startland is a community-building 501(c)3 nonprofit activating vibrant, prosperous communities inspired by its starters — through journalism, events, and education.

Startland News team: Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Austin Barnes, Tommy Felts, Matthew Gwin and Channa Steinmetz; photo courtesy of Mark McDonald

Behind the scenes of Startland News' Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2023 video shoot: Dr. Brandy Archie, AskSAMIE, and Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News reporter; photo courtesy of Social Apex Media

Austin Barnes, executive editor for Startland News, leads strategy, development and operations for the nonprofit newsroom. A skilled journalist from a family of entrepreneurs, he joined the Startland News team in 2018 as a reporter, quickly taking on leadership roles and elevating Startland News’ events portfolio while still earning industry recognition for multimedia storytelling.

Katie Kimbrell, chief education officer for Startland Education, has led a team of former educators at the organization since 2018 to grow transformational professional development for teachers. A veteran educator herself, she was inspired firsthand by the power of design thinking in the classroom, helping to shape much of the programming crafted and executed by Startland Education today.

Click here to learn more about Startland Education and its work with educators and youth.

Members of the Startland Edu team at its Young Womxn's Holiday Exhibition: Katie Kimbrell, Christina Hocker, Malikah Fard-Allah, Nasir Anthony Montalvo, and Veronica Alvidrez

Vincent Alexis-Laona, teacher development and school impacts manager for Startland Edu, and
Malikah Fard-Allah, youth programming specialist for Startland Edu, during a Student Voice event with Blue Valley schools

Capitalizing on the industry strengths of the teams behind them, the programs are fueled by a mix of advertising revenue, program service fees, donations, and single and multi-year grants, Mellor said, attesting to the diversified financial backing and sustainability of the organization.

“It truly is an exciting time for Startland,” Arredondo added. “I leave with zero doubt that Katie, Austin, and the entire team have the expertise and passion to take Startland’s impact to new heights — which is very exciting considering all we’ve already accomplished.”

Tommy Felts, Startland News

Veronica Alvidrez, Startland Edu

Christy Vincent, Startland

Startland’s experienced leadership team also includes:

• Tommy Felts, editor-in-chief of Startland News, a former newspaper publisher who drives content for the newsroom, manages its three reporters, and since 2017 has helped broaden the publication into a more inclusive and sustainable storytelling operation; 
• Veronica Alvidrez, director of youth and community programs for Startland Education, an education professional-turned-entrepreneur who joined Startland in 2019 and uses her varied experience and passion to inspire urban youth.
• Christy Vincent, director of people and operations at Startland, who works behind the scenes of the organization to lead the business office and human resources.

Startland’s history goes back to 2014, when Arredondo and fellow Kansas City Startup Village leader Abby Tillman co-founded CEED (Center of Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Development). The organization ultimately launched Startland News with Bobby Burch in 2015; along with MECA Challenge, which remains part of Startland Education’s work; and Village Square, a now-former coworking space on State Line Road.

Adam Arredondo

In 2017, CEED merged with the non-profit Kansas City Startup Foundation — led by Arredondo and Matthew Marcus — forming the core of the organization known today. It rebranded as Startland in 2019 in a bid to unify the programs behind the public-facing brand of Startland News.

Barnes, Felts and Kimbrell have led the news and education programs respectively since before that 2019 shift, reflecting ongoing and continuous leadership at the nonprofit, said Mellor.

Arredondo was the last of the original organization leaders to part with Startland. No other staffing changes accompanied his departure.

“Although I’ve been thinking about a move for some time, it’s surreal to actually step away from the company I founded,” said Arredondo. “But what gives me peace and makes me smile is knowing the time is right and I now get to take my seat as Startland’s No. 1 fan. As I like to say, ‘It takes a village!’”