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Leadership Wichita

Advance Leadership. Broaden Perspective. Strengthen Community.

Leadership Wichita is an immersive program that aims to motivate individuals to take up influential roles in their community. The program offers valuable insights into various areas such as local government, economic development, education and media. It is an excellent opportunity for individuals who aspire to be community leaders and make a positive impact. 

These sessions provide participants with first-hand experiences like acting as principal for a day, doing a police ride-along, firearm simulation, meeting Wichita City Council Members and Sedgwick County Commissioners, influential business leaders, reporters, economists, students, inmates and more.

Leadership Wichita was introduced in 1983 with more than 1,000 local business, community, government and military leaders graduating from the program with a commitment to becoming stronger leaders for the community.

Those interested in participating in Leadership Wichita must be nominated, submit an application, and have their reference submit a letter of recommendation or complete an online reference form. The Leadership Wichita Board of Trustees selects 30 individuals, who will attend sessions from August through December. Sessions focus on peer networking and introducing community issues.

Presenting Sponsor

 
 
 
 
 

 

Leadership Wichita Class of 2025

Savannah Ball
Wichita Public Library

ShaQiyla Banks
Equity Initiative, Inc.

Leigh Bellinger
US Air Force, 22d Air Refueling Wing

Neva Benton
Exploration Place Inc.

Kenny Bui
Yum Mi Express

Becca Carson
INTRUST Bank

Lance Carter
Mirror, Inc.

Brent Castillo
Dondlinger Construction

Brent Chesnut
Baughman Company

Niki Childers
The Pando Initiative

Steve Couvillion
Textron Aviation

Prophet N Anyanwu Cox
We Rise Coalition

Amisha Daniels
McCownGordon Construction

Brianna Deas
Valley Center Public Schools, USD 262

Toni Gaston
Gardner Design

Loren Hatfield
Wichita Public Schools, USD 259

Becky Hesse
Kansas Legal Services

Col. Chris Hogan
184th Wing, Kansas Air National Guard

Christopher Leonard
Wichita State University

Sarah Lopez-Lewis
HumanKind Ministries

Chad Maness
Spirit Aerosystems

LaRae Mansch
Fidelity Bank

Andy McFayden
WSU Tech

Makala Navarro
Heartspring

Toni Porter
Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce

Aileen Rueda-DaCosta
Kansas Coalition for Common Sense

Felicia Saunders
Wichita Habitat for Humanity Inc.

Matthew Schippers
Triplett Woolf Garretson, LLC

Jess Sojka
Commerce Bank

Nigel Soria
Public Policy and Management Center at Wichita State University

Tim Storhoff
Wichita Symphony Orchestra

Holly Terrill
Bike Walk Wichita

Jenny Venn
StudioJenVenn

Josh Villa
Wichita State Community Engagement Institute
 
 

Leadership Wichita Board of Trustees 2025

Danielle Johnson | Chair 
Executive Director
Wichita Habitat for Humanity
 
Alicia Sanchez | Chair Elect
Community Relations Manager
Spirit AeroSystems

Mandy Fouse
Executive Director, Public Affairs and Executive Communications
WSU Tech
 
Teresa Veazey
Community Services Representative
City of Wichita
 
Rachel Thomas-Murphy
Creative Director
Greyten
 
Ricki Ellison
Director of Talent, Workforce Development, and Community Engagement
Greater Wichita Partnership
 
Tanya Bulluck
Executive Director
Child Start
 
Becky Tuttle
City Council Member, District II
City of Wichita
 
Sheena Schmutz
Chief Human Resources Officer
Sedgwick County
 
Dawn Shepler
President and CEO
HumanKind Ministries
 
Alicia Thompson
Associate Vice President
K-12 Connections and Special Projects
 
Fabian Armendariz
Director, Division of Operations
Wichita Public Schools
 
Bobby Berry
Assistant Dean for Students and Experience
College of Applied Studies, Wichita State University
 
Jamil Malone
Category Intelligence Manager – Retail Primary
Cargill Protein North America
 
Whitney Vliet Ward
Commercial Associate
J.P. Weigand & Sons, Inc.
 
Joseph Shepard
Chief of Staff & Director of Community Impact
Lead for America
 
Kim Doze-Lohmann
Vice Chair of Leadership, Board of Directors
Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce

Stay Connected

We have several events each year designed to keep our Leadership Wichita alumni network connected. Please ensure you’re connected in the following ways:

  • Join the Leadership Wichita Alumni group on .
  • Complete this contact form so we have your current contact information. Providing your email will opt you in to the alumni newsletter and invites for special events.
For more information about this program, please contact Angie Elliott, Chief Programming Officer.
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