Centurions Leadership Program

Centurions Leadership Program The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce's Centurions Leadership Program spends two years explorin

Since 1976, Centurions Leadership Program has earned its reputation as an unequaled training ground for future Kansas City leaders. Today, the two-year program has more than 80 active Centurions who join more than 2,000 alumni. We are a close-knit group of women and men from diverse backgrounds, expanding our personal and professional networks within the group and throughout the community we serve.

When Luci DeLoach first heard of Juneteenth, she was 10 years old and noticed the holiday on a calendar because it fell ...
06/19/2026

When Luci DeLoach first heard of Juneteenth, she was 10 years old and noticed the holiday on a calendar because it fell the day before her birthday. What started as a simple question—"What's Juneteenth?"—became an opportunity to learn about a pivotal moment in American history and the ongoing significance of freedom, education, and remembrance.

For Luci, Juneteenth is a reminder to continue learning, sharing knowledge with others, and honoring the generations whose resilience helped shape the freedoms we enjoy today. As we recognize Juneteenth, we invite our community to learn, reflect, and engage with the history and traditions that continue to shape our region and our nation.

Looking for ways to celebrate, learn, and connect in Kansas City? We’d recommend checking out the local Juneteenth events below:
https://www.juneteenthkc.com/
https://unitedwaygkc.org/2026/06/04/celebrate-juneteenth-across-kansas-city/
https://www.standupblacklives.com/

Russell Anderson believes leadership is about mobilizing others to take on difficult work and create meaningful change t...
06/16/2026

Russell Anderson believes leadership is about mobilizing others to take on difficult work and create meaningful change together. As Director of Health Equity at the Children's Services Fund of Jackson County, he is driven by a passion for helping communities overcome challenges and supporting others as they grow and achieve their goals.

For Russell, Kansas City is a city of aspirations and dreams, where each neighborhood contributes its own unique story and sense of purpose. Outside of work, he enjoys staying active through weight training and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Oss, along with spending time with family, attending live music events, and cheering on his favorite sports teams. Russell celebrates the power of growth and believes investing in others creates lasting impact.

Our June Task Force Day, Building Futures, we learned about many incredible educational programs and opportunities to pr...
06/15/2026

Our June Task Force Day, Building Futures, we learned about many incredible educational programs and opportunities to prepare KC's current and future workforce from toddlers to advanced education! We were truly impressed by the quality and depth these programs have to offer, along with the commitment to innovation and economic growth in KC.

We spent the day “back to school,” exploring how educators, employers, students, and community leaders are working together to prepare Kansas City’s future workforce. From early career awareness to higher education innovation and skilled-trades pathways, the day reinforced an important truth: workforce readiness does not start when someone enters the job market… it starts much earlier, through intentional exposure, skill-building, and meaningful partnerships.

A few themes stood out:
Collaboration, problem-solving, adaptability, and career awareness are not “soft” skills… they are essential workforce skills.

The connection between education and industry has never been more important. KC has incredible people and institutions working to build a stronger, more prepared talent pipeline.

Thank you to our speakers, hosts, planning team, and fellow Centurions for a thoughtful, hands-on day of learning. The future of Kansas City’s workforce is being shaped now, and it was inspiring to see so many people committed to building it with intention.

Thank you Danielle Hilton, Ben Wolfe, Dr. McDorman Ed.D, Moreno Hendrickson and everyone else who participated! Thank you JCCC and BurnsMcdonald for Hosting us!

644 hours of impact. 66 service assignments completed. 57 organizations served. Every hour represents a Centurion who ch...
06/08/2026

644 hours of impact. 66 service assignments completed. 57 organizations served.

Every hour represents a Centurion who chose to show up, get involved, and make a difference in our KC community. Our Pinnacle cohort continues to prove that leadership isn’t just something you learn – it’s something you do.

And we’re just getting started.

Many people join Centurions to build their professional network. What they don’t always expect is the lasting friendship...
06/02/2026

Many people join Centurions to build their professional network. What they don’t always expect is the lasting friendships that come with it. From casual hangs with fellow Centurions to getting out and visiting local businesses, every experience brings new connections and deeper relationships.

Good conversations, great people, and plenty of reasons to stay connected in Kansas City.

Shannon is an attorney at Swanson Bernard and currently serves as the Projects Committee Co-Chair. She believes strong l...
06/01/2026

Shannon is an attorney at Swanson Bernard and currently serves as the Projects Committee Co-Chair. She believes strong leadership starts with building buy-in and fostering a collaborative environment, and she is especially inspired by opportunities to work alongside others who are equally committed to strengthening their community and supporting one another. Kansas City holds a special place in her heart for its undeniable sense of comfort and home, and she’s motivated to make an impact in the community through meaningful connections and the opportunity to experience perspectives beyond her everyday routine. Outside of work, she’s currently learning Mah Jongg, taking improv classes, and exploring Kansas City’s ice cream scene.

05/26/2026

We love seeing members of our Centurions community share moments that are meaningful to them. Thank you, Reda, for sharing your celebration and perspective with us - we’re grateful for the many experiences and voices that make our community stronger 🩵 RK Contractors

Centurions Spotlight: Johnny WeidmaierMeet Johnny Weidmaier, F&I Plant Manager at Albaugh and our Pinnacle June Task For...
05/26/2026

Centurions Spotlight: Johnny Weidmaier

Meet Johnny Weidmaier, F&I Plant Manager at Albaugh and our Pinnacle June Task Force Co-Chair! Johnny believes resilience and empathy are two of the most important leadership traits, guiding both his work and relationships. Growing up on a farm, he values Kansas City’s deep agricultural roots and appreciates building a career in an industry connected to that history. As a dad of three girls, he stays motivated by creating opportunities for the next generation and making a positive impact in the community.

The Pinnacle cohort is back in action! Our first Task Force of the year offered a meaningful introduction to the Kansas ...
05/19/2026

The Pinnacle cohort is back in action! Our first Task Force of the year offered a meaningful introduction to the Kansas City Effect and how culture shapes leadership across our region.

A clear theme emerged: cultural identity influences how people build, lead, and connect. Across sectors, leaders draw from history, lived experience, and community perspectives to create lasting impact. Preserving culture extends beyond physical spaces. It includes protecting stories, honoring identity, and sustaining the character of a community.

Exploring Kansas City’s neighborhoods and cultural spaces reinforced that leadership here is rooted in place and strengthened by collaboration and diverse perspectives.

The key takeaway is simple: culture is leadership.

Connection sits at the heart of the Centurions experience – and for Kate Ryan, Director of Business Development at McCow...
05/18/2026

Connection sits at the heart of the Centurions experience – and for Kate Ryan, Director of Business Development at McCownGordon and Pinnacle June Task Force Co-Chair, it’s central to how she leads. In her words:

Leadership is nothing without connection. From day one, Centurions are encouraged to wonder – about Kansas City, about each other and about how we show up as leaders. By creating space to discover the diverse strengths and perspectives people carry into the room, we form genuine relationships that are rooted in trust, vulnerability, and growth.

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Greater Kansas City Chamber Of Commerce, 30 West Pershing Road, Suite 301
Kansas City, MO
64108

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

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