Kansas Leadership Center

Leadership Landscape, your KLC newsletter See how KLC is helping people and organizations make real progress across Kansas and beyond. From new grant partners and workplace innovation to civic engagement and upcoming programs, this issue high...

From new grant partners and workplace innovation to civic engagement and upcoming programs, this issue of our newsletter highlights what happens when leadership becomes everyone’s work — and how you can be part of what’s next.

See how KLC is helping people and organizations make real progress across Kansas and beyond.

Read & subscribe: mailchi.mp/kansasleader...

Today kicks off our #NewsMatch campaign!

There’s never been a more critical time to stand up for nonprofit newsrooms like ours. Through 12/31, the impact of your donation is DOUBLED!

Will you show your support today?

👉 klcjournal.com/support-our-...

When he’s not hard at work, you’ll find Dioane enjoying time with his wife and kids—or likely indulging in a meal at Lotte.

We love Dioane for his vision, dedication and the spark he brings to every project ~ Here’s to many more years of big ideas & laughter! 🥳

#KLCstaff #BehindTheKLCene

Shoutout to Dioane Gates, our fearless chief civic leadership officer, who’s been turning uncertainty into progress with us for one year! 💪✨

What keeps him coming back every day? 💛 “The conviction that this work matters—not just for Kansas, but for the world.”

#KLCstaff #BehindTheKLCene

Announcing Recipients of Leadership Transformation Grants for 2026 The Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) has selected 76 organizations across Kansas as 2026 recipients of Leadership Transformation Grants.

Kansas organizations are building a civic culture that’s ready to take on tough challenges & thrive. 💪

The KLC’s 2026 Leadership Transformation Grant partners are working to inspire & equip people, together, to do difficult things for the common good.

#KLCpath #KLCImpact #KansasCultureChange

As Sedgwick County ages, commissioners look for the best way to fund senior centers Members of the Sedgwick County Commission agree senior centers are essential services but cannot agree on how to fund them.

Behind every budget debate are people like Melvin and Ella — finding purpose, connection, and community in Sedgwick County’s senior centers.

✍️📸 @caudillkmuw.bsky.social / KMUW

#ksleg

DEI, teacher retention and bond issues: What two Wichita school board candidates say School board candidates Mackenzi Truelove and Diane Albert had contrasting responses when asked about DEI in Wichita Public Schools.

From diversity to dollars, Wichita’s District 1 school board candidates clash on what matters most for local classrooms.

✍️ Allison Campbell
📸 Travis Heying/The Wichita Eagle

Wichita City Council candidates debate development incentives, taxes Wichita City Council candidates Joseph Shepard and LaWanda DeShazer clashed Tuesday over taxes, food deserts and economic developmen.

What does accountability look like at City Hall? Wichita’s District 1 candidates had very different answers.

✍️ Chance Swaim
📸 Travis Heying / The Wichita Eagle

Medicaid cuts are a ticking time bomb for rural Kansas hospitals. One change may help Federal changes could further reduce revenue for Kansas rural hospitals at risk of closure. But a change to a state tax provides a cushion

Kansas leads the nation in rural hospitals on the brink—and a federal shift may push them closer to collapse.

✍️ Noah Taborda / Kansas News Service

#ksleg #KShealth #Kancare #Medicaid

Wichita rejects tenant protections and landlord registry, pushes vote on code enforcement A split council rejected proposals Tuesday to protect tenants from income discrimination and to establish a registry of landlords with serial housing code violations.

A split Wichita City Council voted down new tenant protections — but the debate isn’t over. Change may still be coming for Wichita’s housing code.

✍️ @steflugli.bsky.social

Kansas Leadership Center: Fueling Mutual Benefit By Changing The Way Companies Think About Talent - Charles Koch Foundation While there are many quotable lines from the 1939 movie “The Wizard of Oz,” one spoken by Glinda the Good Witch to Dorothy may best articulate the principles that animate the Kansas Leadership Center ...

What if the key to performance and retention isn’t perks—but purpose?

Through its partnership with the Kansas Leadership Center, the Charles Koch Foundation is helping organizations build stronger, more adaptive workforces.

👉 #KLCImpact + #KansasCultureChange

Mayoral hopeful aims to get Wyandotte County back to basics A 57-year-old corporate lawyer and BPU board member, Rose Mulvany Henry is running for Wyandotte County's top elective position.

After observing a lack of decorum during a five-hour meeting, Rose Mulvany Henry decided to run for Wyandotte County's top elective role.

Mayoral candidate prizes working at every level of Wyandotte County operations Although it might be unrealistic to expect quick results from a new mayor, Christal Watson knows that’s exactly what residents want and need.

Although it might be unrealistic to expect quick results from a new mayor, Christal Watson knows that’s exactly what Wyandotte County residents want and need. She is ready to walk in the door and get to work.

🎉 Celebrating 4 years with Ciara Huntley! Her favorite part of KLC? “The people! Especially my team. I've never worked at an org that feels so much like family.”

She also loves our holiday traditions — from the gift exchange to the soup cookoff! 🥣🎁

#KLCstaff #BehindTheKLCene

Join the KLC Team | Open Positions Explore opportunities at the Kansas Leadership Center, a center of excellence for leadership development and civic engagement.

We’re looking for someone with experience in HR, operations or organizational management who’s ready to make a meaningful impact in Kansas & beyond.

📅 Priority deadline: October 31
👉 Learn more at this link & apply today!

Join the KLC Team | Open Positions Explore opportunities at the Kansas Leadership Center, a center of excellence for leadership development and civic engagement.

This role will:
🔹 Lead talent & culture strategies.
🔹 Oversee inclusive hiring, onboarding, retention & development.
🔹 Foster a workplace culture that prioritizes well-being, inclusion & leadership growth.
🔹 Guide organizational systems & strategy.

kansasleadershipcenter.org/join-the-klc...

We’re seeking a visionary to shape the employee experience and strengthen our organization. We're hiring a People & Culture Officer to steward our organizational infrastructure and cultivate a thriving, inclusive workplace.

📅 Priority deadline: Oct 31
👉 kansasleadershipcenter.org/join-the-klc...

👉 Use our Facebook event page to spread the word by inviting your friends.

✨ Why register?
Your responses help shape a thoughtful, balanced conversation and make sure everyone has the best experience possible.

➡️ Register now for this free event: zfrmz.com/7JtSZub8ASv8...

Journal Talks: Braver Angels Debate – Birthright Citizenship | Kansas Leadership Center Join us at KLC on November 13th for the Birthright Citizenship Braver Angels Debate.

This isn’t a panel or a shouting match.

It’s a structured way to engage across differences on the resolution:
👉 “The United States should end birthright citizenship.”

📅 Thurs, Nov. 13
⏰ 6–7:30 p.m. (doors @ 5:30)
📍 KLC, 325 E Douglas, Wichita

What if disagreement didn’t have to divide us? 🗣️
A different kind of debate is coming to Kansas — one built on curiosity, not conflict.

Join us Nov. 13 for KLC’s first Braver Angels debate, a dynamic, moderated forum where people speak, listen and question with curiosity.

zfrmz.com/7JtSZub8ASv8...

Over the past 7 weeks, we’ve shared data and stories from organizations transforming with KLC principles. Ready to explore how this could work for you? Connect with us: KansasLeadershipCenter.org/impact

👉 #KLCImpact + #KansasCultureChange

Kansas Young Republicans group now inactive after racist chat messages get exposed The Kansas GOP said the Kansas Young Republicans organization is inactive as of Tuesday after leaked messages showed the group’s leaders making racist and anti-semitic remarks.

Power and prejudice are colliding in Kansas politics — from City Hall to party headquarters. Here’s what’s unfolding and why it matters.

✍️ Zane Irwin / Kansas News Service

#ksleg

Shadow of disunity hangs over Wyandotte County mayor’s race Voters in Wyandotte County have elected a succession of three one-term mayors since 2013. Increasing instability is starting to take a toll.

The next mayor will have to address the Unified Government’s political dysfunction to tackle tough issues.

✍ Mark Wiebe & Dawn Bormann Novascone
📸 Jeff Tuttle

Leadership Landscape, your KLC newsletter Explore how the KLC framework is taking root across Kansas. This month’s stories highlight partnerships for health equity, professional development for teachers and coaches, and community connections ...

Explore upcoming programs, opportunities & stories that inspire action. Read the latest & subscribe for future updates.

Leadership is happening all around us. In the current issue of the KLC newsletter, see how communities & organizations across Kansas and beyond are applying the KLC framework to build healthier cultures & tackle tough challenges.

mailchi.mp/kansasleader...

How to help people who are homeless? What some Wichita City Council candidates say Homelessness and affordable housing were at the center of conversation during a forum for Wichita City Council District 6 candidates.

The race for Wichita’s District 6 seat zeroed in on homelessness, housing and business. Voters have until tomorrow, Oct. 14, to register or update their information for the Nov. 4 election.

✍️ Kylie Cameron / Wichita Eagle

Swept away: Realities of homelessness defy strict approach Homeless encampments in Wichita are being removed at a much faster pace, but still-visible homelessness frustrates community and city council members.

The rate of encampment cleanups in Wichita has dramatically increased compared to last year, but still-visible homelessness frustrates community and city council members.

✍️ @steflugli.bsky.social

#homelessness #ksleg

Discover What Culture Change Can Do for Your Organization Partner with the Kansas Leadership Center to strengthen collaboration, engage employees and build capacity for lasting organizational culture change.

“We created open access for youth intakes into mental health services… greatly reducing obstacles for treatment.”

Want to explore how these results could apply to your organization? Request more information: KansasLeadershipCenter.org/impact

👉 #KLCImpact + #KansasCultureChange