Leadership Independence

Leadership Independence has begun!

The first session, “A Taste of Independence…Past and Present,” gave class members the opportunity to learn more about the community they call home.

The afternoon included a historic bus tour with local historian Dr. Isaias McCaffery, followed by A Taste of Independence, where the class sampled dishes from local Independence restaurants.

It was a great first session filled with local history, great food, new connections and a deeper look at what makes Independence unique. We’re excited for the year ahead!

Welcome, Leadership Class of 2027!

1st row – Cally Reister, Jenny Mitchell, Jessica Renfrow, Faith Tate
2nd row – TJ Barnhart, Daniel McDill, Jackie Mann, Gina Godinez
3rd row – Kathy Thompson, Gustavo Hidalgo, Joy Hoose
4th row – Rachael Miles, Paul Terry, Gina Dixon-Finney
5th row – Sarah Coatney, Morgan Ewing, Luke Bass
6th row – Amanda Hoover, Grace Conn-Kuehn, Hilary Cook

Congratulations to the Leadership Independence Class of 2026 on your graduation! Kendra Alford, Libby Davis, Joe Fulk, Will Garrison, Ryan Goad, Mya Gregory, Ashley Heintz, Gracie King, Marcus Lanning, Emily Lewis, John Long, Nicole Munoz, Caleb Nichols, Molly Rains, Sarah Salisbury, Kayla Schabel, Tamisha Sewell and Dustin Woodward.
As a program of the Independence Chamber of Commerce, this group has spent the past eight months growing as leaders, building connections, and making a meaningful impact right here in our community.
Through hands-on projects and community involvement, these graduates have demonstrated a true commitment to strengthening our community and shaping its future.

Special thank you to our keynote speaker, Moises Rivera!

🌟 Leadership Independence Class of 2025 — Supporting Our Community’s Future Athletes! 🌟

The Leadership Independence Class of 2025 set out with one goal in mind — to give back to the kids of our community and support the future of youth sports here in Independence. 🖤🧡

With a shared passion for promoting recreation and youth activities, the 2025 class focused their project on helping the new Central Sports Complex make its inaugural season a success! Along with their class funds, they helped secure additional grant funds through Victory Project — a program that believes all kids should have access to the sport of soccer. With the combination of these funds their class was able to help provide the Independence Recreation Commission with new soccer goals and ball stops for the soccer complex and purchase new catcher’s gear that local youth ball teams used throughout the summer season. ⚽️ 🥎

As teams wrapped up the Fall 2025 soccer season, members from their class spent the morning handing out snacks and drinks to the kids playing in the championship games. Even with the rain and delays, they stuck it out — because showing up for these kids and cheering on their hard work is what their project was all about. 🌧️

The 2025 class is especially proud that two of their classmates are now involved with the Independence Recreation Commission, continuing their mission of supporting youth sports and giving back to the community. 🌟

Learn more about Victory Project here: https://www.victorykc.org/grant

What a great 2nd session of Leadership Independence, Teamwork Makes the Dream Work! We spent our day at Riverside Park and Ralph Mitchell Zoo beginning at the Tennis Club House and utilizing the 4H Buildings! Guest speakers Chuck Goad (Mutual Invitation & Respectful Communication), Robin Brannum & April Nutt (Steps to a Performing Team), and Jodi Hayse (Leadership Independence Presentation) presented at this session. They also got to experience Team Building with Greenbush Education Service Center! We have an INCREDIBLE class this year!!

Leadership Independence recently kicked off the first session of the 2025-2026 Leadership Independence class, a program of the Independence Chamber of Commerce. Chamber President, Lisa Wilson and program co-chairs, Melissa Johnson and Matt Ysusi, welcomed the 19 class participants at the historic Civic Center, and in staying with the “A Taste of Independence” theme, local historian, Isaias McCaffery, retired professor from Independence Community College, led a bus tour of local historic sights. Following the tour and leadership training, a sampling of nine local restaurants created a “Taste of Independence” dinner.

This year’s class participants include the following: Kendra Alford, Four County Mental Health Center; Libby Davis, Montgomery County Action Council; Joe Fulk, Textron Aviation; Chris Furr, City of Independence; Will Garrison, Standard Motor Products, Inc.; Ryan Goad, Commercial Bank; Mya Gregory, Farm Bureau Financial Services – Anna Lawless; Ashley Heintz, Skyward Credit Union; Gracie King, Edward Jones – Financial Advisor: Jason Rutledge; Marcus Lanning, USD 446 Schools; Emily Lewis, Hugo’s Industrial Supply, Inc.; John Long, Independence Public Library; Sarah Long, Community National Bank & Trust; Nicole Munoz, Independence Community College; Caleb Nichols, Textron Aviation; Molly Rains, Independence Community College; Kayla Schabel, City of Independence; Tamisha Sewell, Tree House of Early Learning Center; and Dustin Woodward, USD 446 Schools.
This year’s program content is designed to bring together individuals who have an interest in learning about their community, while offering extensive leadership skills training in combination with community overview components. The leadership training is based on modules taught by the Kansas Leadership Center and other resources.

The 2025-2026 Leadership Board of Directors are Melissa Johnson, co-chair; Matt Ysusi, co-chair; Amandia Brock, Amy Easley, Kris Ferguson, Jaicey Gillum, Matt Kittrell, Trina March, Michael McCambridge, Brian Norvell, Liz Pralle, Hali Schultheiss, Lisa Reed, Karin Stoner, ex-officio and Chamber president, Lisa Wilson, ex-officio.

🎉 Congratulations to the 2025 Leadership Independence Class!
Your dedication, hard work, and passion for making a difference have truly shined throughout this journey. 🌟
You've not only grown as individuals but also as a team!
Here’s to the lessons learned, the connections made, and the bright future ahead! 👏👏👏

Tyler Allen, Eddie Bauer, Alisa Beecham, Pam Brown (not pictured), Sam Carnes, Sonya Engel, John Garris (not pictured), Rebecca Gilcrist, Jaicey Gillum (elected Class Rep), Jessica Jaimes, Seth Jones, Erin Kaminska, Maren Lagaly, Dave Lawrence, Michelle McCormick, Logan Null, Cody Oates, Noel O'Kane (not pictured), Samantha Ringle, Curtis Short (not pictured), Breana Ward, April Whitley, and Crystal Wonser.

THANK YOU to our generous sponsors! Without you, our program wouldn't thrive the way it is able to!
Atmos Energy, Brio Med Spa & Wellness, City of Independence Kansas, Community National Bank & Trust, Echelon Arch+Design, Emert Chubb, LLC, Four County Mental Health Center, Independence Community College, Independence Community College Foundation and Alumni Office, K-State Research and Extension, L2 Realty Inc, Matcor Metal Fabrication, Mavericks Playroom, Montgomery County Action Council, Null Chiropractic LLC, Standard Motor Products, Textron Aviation, and Independence, Kansas Public Schools USD 446