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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 2024

Diane Albert
USD 259 Board of Education
 
Lindsay Benacka
City of Wichita
 
Maddie Butler
Kent Audio Visual
 
Jordan Buxton
Hutton
 
Jennifer Clark
Exploration Place
 
Kelley DeCesaro
Star Lumber & Supply
 
Chelsea DeLay
3ten Architecture
 
Audra Dinell
The Thread
 
Brent Dorrah
Transitions Group, Inc.
 
Meghan Doyle
Wichita Foundation
 
Chelsea Dyer
Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce
 
Kyle Ellison
Khan Lab School Wichita
 
Michael Elpers
Sedgwick County
 
Cindy Hand
INTRUST Bank
 
Tasha Hayes
The Neighboring Movement
 
Jason Jolly
Textron Aviation
 
Sonali Kurlekar
Wichita Asian Association
 
Ana Lopez
City of Wichita
 
Jamil Malone
Cargill
 
Jennifer Marshall
Evergy
 
Ashlee McLaurian
Sedgwick County Public Defender Office
 
Karey Padding
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
 
Patrick Pelkowski
Shaken or Stirred Bartending
 
Ben Renn
Emprise Bank
 
Sangita Richardson
Spirit Aerosystems, Inc
 
Ashlyn Sigler
United States Air Force
 
Andy Snyder
KS StateBank
 
Chris Stanyer
Goodwill Industries of Kansas
 
Clint Stevens
Knowmadics, Inc.
 
Beth Sturm
Kansas Health Science University
 
Erin Wannow
Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office
 
Stacy Ward Lattin
Hopping Gnome Brewing Company
 
Paul Witte
Maximum Outdoor Equipment & Service

Leadership Wichita Board of Trustees 2024

Courtney Bengston (Chair Elect)
Chief Strategy Officer
Wichita Foundation
Heather Denker
Experience Manager
The Smart Factory, Deloitte Consulting LLP
 
Kim Doze-Lohman
Director of Marketing
Martin Pringle Attorneys at Law
Molly Edwards
Senior Business Manager for Sean Black, SVP, Chief Technology Officer and Chief Engineer
Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. 
Bobby Gandu
Assistant Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management and Director of Admissions
Wichita State University
Danielle Johnson
Executive Director
Wichita Habitat for Humanity
Todd Lewis
Vice President, Wichita Market Leader-Employee Benefits
IMA
Victor Ojeleye
FP&A Planning & Reporting Manager
Cargill
Ty Patton
Corporate Counsel & Director of Real Estate
THRIVE Restaurant Group
Sheena Schmutz
Chief Human Resources Officer
Sedgwick County
Joseph Shepard (Chair)
Chief of Staff & Director of Community Impact
Lead for America
Dawn Shepler
Executive Director, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Coalition
Public Policy and Management Center
Dan Shurtz
Executive Vice President & Partner
Aletheia Digital
Becky Tuttle
City Council Member, District 3
City of Wichita
Claudia A. Yaujar-Amaro
Executive Director
AB&C Bilingual Resources LLC

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 Dennis Clary, Vice President of Community Advancement.
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