Regional Leadership Awards

The Mid-America Regional Council recognizes individuals, organizations and initiatives that have made outstanding contributions to the region with the Regional Leadership Awards.

Award recipients advance a vision of a strong, healthy region; demonstrate commitment to its growth; and encourage others to support and work toward that vision.

MARC’s Regional Leadership Awards recognize leadership and excellence in:

Advocating regional concepts, approaches and programs.
Advancing the vision of the region as a community of excellence.
Addressing regional challenges.
Applying innovative solutions to regional problems.
Achieving improved quality of life and equitable opportunity for the region's residents.

Excellence can be demonstrated in the following ways:

Significant leadership during times of regional challenge.
Service in guiding an important forum or organization that supports a community or the region.
Emerging leadership with great promise for regional impact.
Sustained public service.
Effectiveness and innovation in working across boundaries.
Critical supports delivered across jurisdictions through community organizations.
Mobilizing communities around an important issue.

2023 Recipients

Dr. Kimberly Beatty

Chancellor, Metropolitan Community College

For transformative leadership at Metropolitan Community College and dedication to ensuring all residents in the Kansas City region have access to higher education.

Bryan Dehner

Former Fire Chief, Overland Park, Kansas

For steadfast dedication to public service and commitment to bringing innovative solutions to meet regional challenges.

George Guastello

President and CEO, Union Station

For exemplary local and regional leadership in creating a thriving Union Station, a beloved and nationally recognized icon.

Parade of Hearts

For uniting our region through local art and supporting those most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Past recipients

2022

Ed Eilert, Dan Manley, Kathy Nelson, Dr. Steven Stites

2021

AltCap; Climate Action Kansas City; Steve Arbo and Bill Ebel; Dr. Rodney Smith and Stephenie Smith

2020

Paused due to pandemic

2019

Maria Meyers; Desiree Monize; Mayor David Slater; West Central Missouri Community Action Agency

2018

KC Scholars; Jewel Scott; Sheila Tracy; Truman Heartland Community Foundation

2017

PREP-KC; Dr. Lee Norman; KCATA; Sheriff Mark Owen

2016

Dr. Doug Girod and Scott Smith; KC Healthy Kids; Dr. John Nalbandian; Gene Shepherd

2015

Kirk Davis; Ellen Hanson; Jewish Family Services; Brian Nowotny; Gene Wilson

2014

Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City and REACH Healthcare Foundation; Mark Randall; Don Reimal; Shepherd’s Centers

2013

Todd Ackerson; Mike Burke; Dr. Ray Daniels; CASA of Jackson County and CASA of Johnson and Wyandotte Counties; Eric Rogers