Behind the Corporate Curtain - A Corporate Funders Forum

When:  Aug 18, 2021 from 08:30 AM to 10:00 AM (CT)
Associated with  AFPKC
Kansas City is known for its philanthropic community full of companies that make it a priority to invest their time, resources, and funds into nonprofits that create lasting change in our community. Join Elizabeth Danforth of Evergy, Charlotte Lewin of Burns & McDonnell, Sara Prochaska of Lockton, Macaela Stephenson of Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Gene Willis of GEHA as they share some tips and tricks for engaging with corporate partners.

Speakers 
Elizabeth Danforth, Evergy
As Director of Public Affairs, Elizabeth Danforth leads Evergy’s Community, Economic and Customer Affairs Departments. Guided by shifting customer and community expectations, new technologies, and employee engagement her team works to:
• advance the Company’s corporate citizenship and social responsibility programs;
• change policy and implement programs to assist disadvantaged customer segments; and
• retain and attract business to the region triggering $42M in economic impact for Evergy’s service territory annually.
Additionally, her team designed and launched the energy industry’s first customer solutions facility – Evergy Connect – established to address the changing and holistic needs of energy customers.


Macaela Stephenson, BCBS KC
Macaela Stephenson is the Manager of Community Relations and Investment at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC). In her current role, she oversees philanthropic giving, internal and external volunteering, sponsorships, community partnerships and giving strategy, including corporate social responsibility.
Macaela is dedicated to serving the Kansas City community. She currently serves as board chair of the Kansas City Public Schools Education Foundation, an education foundation for Kansas City Public Schools. She is also the current board chair for Nonprofit Connect, an organization that unites nonprofits, foundations, community and business leaders, and serves on the Boys and Girls Clubs of Kansas City Sports LAB Advisory Board, a youth program designed to teach valuable life skills through involvement in sports.
Macaela has been recognized for her expertise in her field and commitment to her community. She was honored as a 2018 NextGen Leader by the Kansas City Business Journal and was a part of the 2019 class of 40 under 40 with Ingram’s Magazine.
Macaela holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in elementary middle education, with an emphasis in English, from the University of Kansas.
Macaela lives in Kansas City, MO with her husband, 4 year old daughter, 1 year old son and 2 dogs.

Charlotte Lewin, Burns and McDonnell
Charlotte Lewin connects employee-owners to their community through her role as Senior Community Relations Strategist at the Burns & McDonnell Foundation. She facilitates partnerships with nonprofit organizations across the country, organizes volunteer opportunities and collaborates on Burns & McDonnell's major giving campaigns. In Kansas City, she leads the Battle of the Brains K-12 educational competition. Her personal passions include STEM outreach, literacy and blood donation. Charlotte lives in Overland Park, KS, with her husband and two daughters.

About Burns & McDonnell: Our professionals plan, design and build critical infrastructure to help our communities. We are a family of companies made up of nearly 8,000 engineers, construction professionals, architects, planners, technologists and scientists with offices throughout the world. We believe the future is STEM, and we're committed to inspiring the next generation of STEM professionals in the communities where we live and work. Check out our ever-growing collection of STEM stories, tools and activities at burnsmcd.com/STEMresources and follow @BurnsMacSTEM on social.


Sara Prochaska, Lockton

Sara Prochaska leads the communication and community relations efforts for the Founders Series of Lockton, encompassing the Kansas City, Michigan, Minnesota and Omaha regions. Sara’s team is responsible for the creation and implementation of the Founders Series’ internal communication strategy, perpetuating Lockton’s culture and supporting Lockton’s people as they make a difference in our communities. Sara has been with Lockton for 12 years. Prior to joining Lockton, Sara worked as the Director of Development at reStart, Inc.



Gene Willis, GEHA
Gene Willis is the Corporate Social Responsibility Manager at GEHA, responsible for developing, executing and continuously improving GEHA’s national and local Corporate Social Responsibility strategy and initiatives, including corporate giving strategy, employee giving, volunteerism and events. Having worked as a nonprofit development leader for three years at United Inner City Services (UICS) prior to joining GEHA, along with two decades in brand marketing and communications, he values the role that storytelling provides in the evolving landscape of philanthropy. A pursuit of equity drives his work and personal philanthropic commitments.



Moderator
Christopher Stibbs, CFRE - Newhouse

Cost
$15 - Members of AFPKC and AFP - Other Chapters
$25 - Non-Members

CFRE Credits - 1.5
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