United Way of Greater Kansas City is gearing up for its second-ever Waymaker™ Awards Impact Celebration. This event toasts the donors, corporate partners and community partners, who work together to further the mission of United Way in Kansas City and enrich the lives of the people it serves in this community.
Last year's turnout of more than 650 people has built incredible excitement and anticipation for another highly attended event.
The four finalists for the Executive of the Year award are incredible corporate pillars in the Kansas City community and are being recognized for their leadership and involvement with United Way of Greater Kansas City.
They are described as individuals who "set the tone and the example for their organization’s employees to follow in their own philanthropic giving. They demonstrate a commitment to uplifting United Way's mission of improving healthcare, enhancing youth opportunity, fostering financial security and creating community resiliency so that all have the ability to thrive."
Passing their passion for generosity to their families, employees and communities is important to each of them. On the following pages, get to know the finalists and what drives them to be the best they can be in their roles.
Mary Jane Judy | Polsinelli Law Firm, Office Managing Partner
I’ve always believed in that idea of “To whom much is given, much is expected.” I was on the Kansas City Parks Board for six years. It was, and still is, really important to me. I encourage everyone to find your passion and try to live that out—know what motivates you to put yourself out there. I have four sons, and I have driven them to community meetings and things like that. And it is really important to my husband and I that we do what we can to create a Kansas City—that if they go away to school, they want to come back to.
Dana Jermain | Deloitte, Managing Partner
I want my legacy to be that I helped teach others about how to give. It's going to be a natural part of me. It's what I'm going to do. But I want this next generation--I want my kids to say things about my husband and I, like I do about my parents, that we stepped up. That we filled needs. When those needs happened, we were willing to kind of go out on a limb, make sacrifices that help somebody else. But I'm teaching them along the way. I'm lifting them up on my shoulders to kind of be that next generation that carries on to help Kansas City and satisfy the needs. I hope people will not make excuses that they’re too busy to or want to use their money for something else. I hope that people will kind of take it on their shoulders to make a sacrifice. You know, there's a lot of people who are suffering and we can help a little bit.
Rob Bratcher | Commerce Bank, President
I think we are, you know, especially as bankers, we are only as strong as the community we serve. And I think that for everyone that lives here, to be able to find you're passionate about, if you have the ability to put dollars to work, I think you've got to find those things. And that's why I've always loved United Way, because of all the different agencies and programs that you all vet and support. You know, I think it’s an easy investment to put your dollars into United Way because they get leverage and expose you to challenges that may happen in the community that you may not have even been aware of, and something that you’re passionate about.
Sara Lancaster | BOK Financial, Sr. Vice President & Commercial Relationship Manager
I guess I hope that the work that I do and the actions that I take will inspire other people to just realize it's okay to try one thing at a time. Just say yes, you know? So if someone has an ask of you, it's okay to say yes. You can maybe back off later, but at least allow yourself to get out there, to listen to what the needs are to say and offer your help. You know, I really hope I'll inspire more people to just try new things, to step outside of their comfort zone and to be uncomfortable because some of the things sometimes, particularly in volunteering, particularly trying out different agencies, is sometimes outside of your comfort zone. But that's how you get an appreciation and an understanding and awareness of where the needs are greatest. And, I think if we all could do our part and, like, help do something and be aware of what's going on, our community could be just an amazing place to live. It already is a pretty amazing place to live, but it's not perfect for everyone.
I want my kids to say things about my husband and I...that we stepped up. That we filled needs.
...we are only as strong as the community we serve.