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.

2025 Regional Leadership Awards

Please join us in celebrating the awardees during the 2025 Regional Assembly and Leadership Awards on Friday, June 13, 2025.

Community Services League

For exceptional and long-standing impact on the quality of life in communities throughout Eastern Jackson County by serving as a regional voice to promote economic mobility and supporting individuals and families as they advance up the economic ladder.

Dr. Kristin Feeback, executive director, CommCARE

For regional leadership in mental health, including raising awareness about the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and advancing efforts that provide support to people in need – saving lives and fostering valuable partnerships.

KCUR

For serving as a valuable community asset and building partnerships that result in award-winning journalism critical to residents and decision-makers across the region.

Kristin Riott, former executive director, Bridging The Gap

For steadfast leadership on environmental issues affecting the Kansas City region and skill in leveraging partnerships to advance creative programs that make a real and visible difference for residents.

Past recipients

Janeé Hanzlick and David Warm with the 2024 Regional Leadership Award honorees

2024

Kansas City, Missouri, Aviation Department, Gloria Ortiz-Fisher, Julie Lorenz, Carolyn Wells

2023

Dr. Kimberly Beatty; Bryan Dehner; George Guastello; Parade of Hearts

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