10/09/2026
Some people leave a mark on an organization. Others help shape who it becomes. That is Ali. ❤️
For more than three years, Ali O’Grady has been such an important part of the growth and heart of Variety KC. She has given countless hours to our team and our Variety KC families, shown up for our community in countless ways, championed inclusion, and advocated for meaningful change throughout Kansas City.
But if you know Ali, you know that behind everything she does is the role she loves most: being a mom to Blakely and Henry.
Following Henry’s life-changing medical event last year, Ali has made the decision to step back from her role at Variety KC to focus on her family and Henry’s continued recovery. While there is certainly a huge hole in our hearts, there is even more love, understanding, and support for Ali as she makes this decision.
If you have had the privilege of knowing Ali through Variety KC, you know just how special she is. Her kindness is unmatched, her smile lights up every room, and she has an incredible gift for personally connecting with every child and family she meets. For Ali, this mission has always been personal. As Henry’s mom, she has often shared how lucky she feels to play a role in creating a world where her son is accepted, celebrated, and supported.
Ali, we promise to keep creating that world. We will keep pushing, keep dreaming, and keep working toward a more inclusive Kansas City, with Henry and your entire family continuing to inspire us along the way. 💫✨
And thankfully, this isn’t really goodbye. Ali will always be part of the Variety KC family. We just get to see her in the role she loves most, being an incredible mom to Blakely and Henry, while she cheers us on from the sidelines!
Ali, thank you for believing so deeply in this mission, for helping shape Variety KC into what it is today, for giving so much of yourself to our children and families, and, most importantly, for being a true friend to so many.
