Chamber Announces Leadership Wichita Class of 2026

The Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce has selected 33 professionals from across the region for the Leadership Wichita Class of 2026. Representing a range of industries, organizations and perspectives, these leaders will spend the next five months gaining a deeper understanding of the forces shaping the Wichita region and how they can help strengthen its future.

As one of the Chamber’s longest-running and most respected programs, Leadership Wichita has helped shape generations of local leaders through meaningful experiences, candid conversations and firsthand exposure to the community’s opportunities and challenges.

“For more than 40 years, Leadership Wichita has provided emerging leaders perspectives and experiences to help them understand the interconnectivity of the people, organizations, systems, and ideas that shape our region,” said Alicia Sanchez, Chair of the Leadership Wichita Board of Trustees. “The Class of 2026 continues that great legacy. They each bring a passion, expertise, and a deep commitment to strengthening the Wichita Region for generations to come.”

Leadership Wichita goes beyond the traditional classroom to provide an immersive, hands-on look at the region. Participants will meet directly with elected officials to discuss policy challenges and opportunities, analyze economic trends with leading economists and sit down with local media for candid conversations about transparency and the role of storytelling in community leadership. They will also shadow a school principal to gain insight into local education and ride along with first responders and engage in firearm simulations to better understand crisis decision-making.

Each participant was selected from a highly competitive pool of nominees. The Leadership Wichita Board of Trustees placed a strong emphasis on creating a class that reflects a variety of backgrounds, industries and perspectives.

Since its inception in 1983, Leadership Wichita has graduated more than 1,000 leaders from the business, nonprofit, government, community and military sectors. Graduates leave the program with stronger relationships, a broader understanding of the region and a renewed commitment to making a difference in Wichita and beyond.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas will once again serve as the presenting sponsor of Leadership Wichita in 2026.

“Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas shares our understanding that healthy communities depend on strong leadership, collaboration, and a shared commitment to improving the places where we live and work,” said Angie Elliott, Chief Program Officer at the Wichita Regional Chamber. “We appreciate their Presenting sponsorship of Leadership Wichita and their investment in supporting the development of leaders who help shape the future of our region.”

Leadership Wichita Class of 2026

• Cody Alexander, Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office
• Kristin Beal, Harvester Arts
• Amber Beck, Cairn Health Inc
• Emily Christensen, The SHOUT
• Greer Cowley, Wichita Public Schools Foundation
• Hillard Cozine, Cozine Memorial Group
• Seth Dewey, Mirror
• Rachel Douglass, Textron Inc.
• Paul Duff, Wichita Police Department
• Branden Ewertz, LANGE Companies
• Valarie Florio, Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation, Inc.
• Dr. Gabriel Fonseca, Wichita State University
• Molly Fox, Kansas Health Science University
• Crystal Hervey, Shine Bright Cleaning Services
• Angeline F. Johnson, C3S Consulting
• Emily Juhnke, Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Kansas
• Jessica Lopez, Catholic Diocese of Wichita
• William Mcneill, Northwestern Mutual
• Amanda Meyers, Wichita Family Crisis Center
• Brecken Morel, Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Becca Newman, Greater Wichita Partnership
• Kendra Nguyen, Wichita State University Community Engagement Institute
• Jaime Nix, Wichita Public Library
• Lt. Col. Derek Patrick, United States Air Force
• Klarissa Ponce, Children's Advocacy Centers of Kansas
• Amanda Rummery, Textron Aviation
• Jaime Schadegg, Wichita Business Journal
• Heather Schroeder, Downtown Wichita
• Wyatt Sheeder, Senior Services, Inc. of Wichita
• Lori Tackett, Ascension Via Christi St. Teresa
• Scott Wagner, Sedgwick County
• Mandy Wilbert, Cox
• Vandana Willis, Meritrust Credit Union