Dr. Andrea Hendricks is the CEO and Managing Partner of Authentico, a Kansas City-based consulting firm that helps organizations strengthen workplace culture, leadership, and inclusion. With more than 25 years of executive experience, she has held leadership roles at Cerner, the Federal Reserve, and UMB. A certified inclusion strategist, author, and sought-after speaker, Dr. Hendricks is recognized nationally for her work advancing inclusive leadership and organizational excellence.

The Honorable Mark L. Madrid is a national economic strategist, AI futurist, bestselling author, and Founder & CEO of Breakthrough Mavens, LLC. A former U.S. Small Business Administration Associate Administrator, he has supported more than 4 million small businesses nationwide. Mark is a Visiting Scholar at the Clinton School of Public Service, Entrepreneur-in-Residence at NMSDC, and serves on multiple boards. His career spans Wall Street, government, and global business leadership.

The Honorable Mark L. Madrid is a national economic strategist, AI futurist, bestselling author, and Founder & CEO of Breakthrough Mavens, LLC. A former U.S. Small Business Administration Associate Administrator, he has supported more than 4 million small businesses nationwide. Mark is a Visiting Scholar at the Clinton School of Public Service, Entrepreneur-in-Residence at NMSDC, and serves on multiple boards. His career spans Wall Street, government, and global business leadership.

Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace is President and CEO of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, where she advances economic mobility through education, workforce development, and entrepreneurship. Previously, she served as Kansas Secretary of Administration and Chief Information Technology Officer under Governor Laura Kelly, becoming the first African American to hold either cabinet position. Her career spans higher education leadership at University of Kansas, University of Missouri, and Stanford University, as well as diplomatic service with the U.S. Department of State. She serves on the Stanford Board of Trustees and is a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Jeanette Prenger is the Founder and Executive Chair of ECCO Select, an IT consulting and talent solutions firm launched in 1995 in Kansas City. Under her leadership, ECCO Select has expanded from a single‑client company into one of the largest Hispanic‑owned IT talent firms in the U.S.  She earned a B.S. in Management Information Systems from Park University in 2009, and in 2025 delivered the commencement keynote and received an honorary Doctorate of Human Letters for her outstanding service and leadership.  Her community leadership and philanthropic work have earned her numerous awards including Kansas City’s Most Influential Business Leaders, Kansas City Business Journal’s “Power 100,” “Women Who Mean Business” and the Clifton R. Cohn Distinguished Community Leader Award.

Anne Scharf is Vice President of Community Impact and Civic Affairs for the Kansas City Chiefs and oversees the Hunt Family Foundation. She leads the organization’s community engagement strategy, including philanthropy, partnerships, civic affairs, and impact initiatives. Since 2013, she has directed government relations and civic engagement efforts for the Chiefs across Missouri and the Kansas City region. Prior to joining the Chiefs, Scharf spent six years with the NFL in New York, supporting major events and business development. She serves on several Kansas City nonprofit boards and holds a history degree from Yale University, where she captained the field hockey team.

Juan Manuel Rangel, Jr. is Vice President for Metro Expansion at SparkWheel, where he builds partnerships that expand opportunities for students and families across the Kansas City region. With more than 30 years of leadership in education, nonprofit management, and community engagement, he has held senior roles at SchoolSmartKC, Donnelly College, Metropolitan Community College, and NCCJ. He serves as Board President of Swope Health and Vice Chair of the Kauffman School Board.

Neri Martinez is a senior government relations and strategy executive with extensive experience in the U.S. Senate, federal agencies, and public affairs consulting. She currently serves as a Senior Government Relations Consultant at Becker & Poliakoff, advising clients on policy strategy, stakeholder engagement, and bipartisan relationship-building. Previously, she held senior leadership roles with U.S. Senator Tim Scott and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Economic Impact and Diversity.

Melissa Berman-Smith is Vice President of Marketing & Strategic Partnerships at Continental Food & Beverage, home of Inca Kola, where she leads brand strategy, partnership development, and growth initiatives across the company's portfolio. With more than 16 years of experience spanning Paramount, CBS, Univision, and other leading media organizations, she has built a reputation for creating innovative, revenue-generating partnerships that connect brands with diverse audiences. A passionate advocate for Hispanic representation and women's leadership, Melissa was recognized with the Hispanic Association of Corporate Responsibility's Corporate Achievers Award for her commitment to community impact and inclusive leadership.

Allison Greenwood Bajracharya serves as Chief Strategy & Impact Officer for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, where she leads grantmaking, policy initiatives, and the Foundation's AI strategy to advance entrepreneurship, economic mobility, and equitable access to opportunity. Prior to Kauffman, she held executive leadership roles with America Achieves and COVIDCheck Colorado, driving systems-level change and community impact nationwide. With more than two decades of experience spanning philanthropy, education, and social innovation.

Diego Deleersnyder is Managing Director of Aspen Conexión, an initiative of the Aspen Institute that strengthens the Latino community’s role in U.S. innovation and prosperity. With more than 15 years of experience in economic development, urban policy, and local capacity building, he has led initiatives across Latin America, Europe, and the United States. Previously, Diego held leadership roles at CIPPEC, Argentina’s federal government, and the UK Parliament. He holds graduate degrees from Columbia University, the London School of Economics, and Universidad Torcuato Di Tella.

Rachel Hack Merlo leads Government and Community Affairs for GFiber’s Central Region, including Kansas City, Omaha, Des Moines, and Orange County, California. Based in Kansas City, she works with municipal leaders and community partners to expand GFiber’s impact and reputation. Rachel develops initiatives focused on digital inclusion, STEM education, and entrepreneurship while supporting public affairs, communications, and community engagement efforts.

Nicole Jacobson is Head of Sales for GFiber’s Central Region, overseeing residential and commercial sales across Kansas City, Jefferson City, and Chicago. Her focus is on company growth through team development and helping others reach their potential. She specializes in scaling operations and navigating complex markets to connect more communities with high-speed connectivity. Her background includes leadership roles with Comcast and Best Buy.

Tim Lowe is a sports marketing and partnerships professional specializing in strategic partnerships, soccer fan engagement, and brand activations. Based in Kansas City, Tim works across the soccer industry, creating innovative experiences that connect brands and fans through meaningful storytelling and live event marketing. His background includes partnership development, loyalty marketing, and collaboration with nationally recognized brands.

Brianna Chavez is the General Manager for Omaha Sports Properties of LEARFIELD, overseeing partnership strategy and brand activations for the University of Nebraska at Omaha athletics department. Her work centers on building meaningful, long-term relationships with partners and creating experiences that connect fans, families, and the community. With a master’s degree in Sport and Recreation Administration and a career rooted in collegiate athletics, she blends strategic thinking with a passion for growing brands through sport.

Brenna Ochoa is a former Division I soccer player from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln who went on to play professionally in Denmark, Germany, and Sweden. After her playing career, she worked with Omaha-based nonprofit Football for the World, expanding access to the game of soccer locally and internationally. Brenna now serves as the Partnership Services Coordinator at Omaha Sports Properties, where she focuses on enhancing corporate partnerships and elevating fan experiences.

BJ Stabler serves as Director of Athletic Development for Kansas City Athletics, where he leads major gift strategy, donor engagement, and oversees Roos United, the department's primary fundraising initiative. Prior to joining Kansas City Athletics, he served as Director of A-Club Alumni at the University of Alabama, where he expanded alumni engagement efforts and helped secure more than $2 million in philanthropic commitments. Stabler also spent eight seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs in leadership roles within Player Engagement. A former University of Alabama football letterwinner, he holds degrees from Alabama, an MBA from the University of Saint Mary, and a certificate in Athletic Development from the Wharton School of Business.

Jocelyn Monroe is Chief Marketing Officer of the Kansas City Current, leading brand growth, fan engagement, marketing, content, retail, and branded experiences for both the club and CPKC Stadium—the world’s first stadium purpose-built for a women’s professional sports team. Previously, she worked in CAA Sports’ Brand Consulting Group and held leadership roles with OMD, The Coca-Cola Company, and Madison Square Garden. Monroe was featured in Sports Illustrated’s Elle-vate: 100 Influential Black Women in Sports.

Julie Weeks is a marketing and community engagement leader with more than 25 years of experience building brands through strategic partnerships and storytelling. As Kansas City Community Marketing Manager at Arvest Bank, she leads initiatives that strengthen local relationships and support the bank's vision of being a community growth engine. Previously, Julie held leadership roles at Boulevard Brewing Company, where she expanded visitor experiences and guided communications during the brewery's acquisition. A passionate civic volunteer, she is a founding board member of Boulevardia and has served numerous Kansas City organizations focused on arts, culture, and community impact.

Christian Anderaos is a professional indoor soccer player with the Kansas City Comets of the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL). Originally from São Paulo, Brazil, he played collegiate soccer at the University of Missouri–Kansas City before joining the Comets in 2021, where his speed and relentless energy earned him the nickname "Tasmanian Devil." Christian holds both a bachelor's degree in Health Sciences and a master's degree in Public Administration from UMKC. A passionate advocate for wellness and personal growth, he is also active in the community and was honored with the 2023–24 MASL Joseph Cairel Award for excellence on and off the field.

Anthony J. Hinojosa is the Vice President of Government and International Affairs at the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC), where he leads the organization’s policy agenda and engagement with Congress, the Administration, and key stakeholders. With more than 20 years of experience in government relations, Anthony has worked across the nonprofit, private, and public sectors. Previously, he served as Director of Federal Affairs for Compassion & Choices and spent more than six years on Capitol Hill working for former Congressman Gene Green. Anthony holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Houston–Downtown.

Tyler Enders is co-founder and owner of Made in KC, a local retailer that began as a pop-up in 2015 and now partners with more than 250 Kansas City artists, makers, and small businesses. The company also operates Rainy Day Books, Front Range Cafes, and Outta the Blue Cafe. A Kansas City native and University of Kansas graduate, Enders serves on several civic boards and was named a Champion of Business and NextGen Leader by the Kansas City Business Journal.

Oscar Monterroso is a media executive, Co-Founder and CEO of TICO Sports, and the Voice of the TICO Sports Chiefs en Español Broadcast. Since 2016, he has executive produced more than 770 NFL broadcasts in Spanish, leading productions for eight NFL teams, as well as MLS, NWSL, NCAA football, and NHL organizations. A five-time Super Bowl broadcaster, Oscar currently serves as the Chiefs' Spanish-language play-by-play announcer, bringing fans closer to the game through dynamic storytelling and authentic engagement. With expertise spanning live production, talent development, and multi-platform distribution, he has become a nationally recognized leader in multicultural sports media.

Fahteema Parrish is the Founder, President, and Owner of Parrish & Sons Construction, an award-winning, woman- and minority-owned heavy civil construction firm based in Kansas City. Since launching the company in 2015, she has grown the business into an eight-figure enterprise delivering major infrastructure projects across the Midwest. A recognized leader in construction and entrepreneurship, Fahteema has been honored by the Kansas City Business Journal as both a Champion of Business and Woman of Influence. Guided by faith and a commitment to service, she is passionate about creating career pathways and mentoring the next generation of industry leaders.

Laura Berrocal serves as Executive Director of Policy and Strategic Alliances at Verizon, where she advances public policy strategies and cultivates partnerships that support innovation, responsible business practices, and digital inclusion. Prior to Verizon, she held leadership roles at Charter Communications and CTIA, shaping policy initiatives related to broadband expansion, mobile technology, and consumer access. Laura has also advised technology, energy, and media

Ramiro A. Cavazos is President & CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC), the nation’s largest Hispanic business advocacy organization. A recognized economic development leader, he previously led the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and held senior roles with the City of San Antonio, the University of Texas Health Science Center, and Levi Strauss. He serves on numerous national boards and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Michael Carmona is an Impact Officer for Entrepreneurship at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, where he manages a grant portfolio focused on advancing financial stability, economic mobility, and prosperity for under-resourced communities. Previously, he served as Community Relations and Impact Manager with the UMKC Innovation Center. Michael earned both his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and MBA in International Business from Rockhurst University.

Anthony J. Hinojosa is the Vice President of Government and International Affairs at the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC), where he leads the organization’s policy agenda and engagement with Congress, the Administration, and key stakeholders. With more than 20 years of experience in government relations, Anthony has worked across the nonprofit, private, and public sectors. Previously, he served as Director of Federal Affairs for Compassion & Choices and spent more than six years on Capitol Hill working for former Congressman Gene Green. Anthony holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Houston–Downtown.