The KLC Framework
Leadership is mobilizing others to seize opportunities to make progress on tough challenges. Since 2007, we’ve trained thousands of individuals worldwide on how to do this using KLC’s powerful framework based on five principles and four competencies of leadership. The result: lasting change on what matters most.
Leadership Competencies
Four simple yet profound competencies inspired by input from Kansans and leadership experts from all walks of life
Diagnose Situation
Our Latest News and Research

Dreams, Questions and Bridges Influence Others
Your Dreams, Questions and Bridges Influence Others “Damon’s presentation was a great kickoff for the day. The references he made to big dreams and building bridges were themes that carried throughout the Summit.” -Kirk Seminoff, Managing Editor, Wichita Business...

Juneteenth: Freedom, leadership and closing the gap
Juneteenth: freedom, leadership and closing the gap Some call Juneteenth America’s second Independence Day. I like that. On July 4 we celebrate freedom. On Juneteenth we celebrate freedom becoming more fully realized. At the Kansas Leadership Center, we teach that...

Escuchando a Latinos en el tour Heartland Together
Para aprender cómo apoyar mejor a las prósperas empresas locales en las comunidades rurales, el Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) organizó una gira de escucha de dos semanas en Kansas, Iowa, Missouri y Nebraska. Es la fase de apertura de 'Heartland Together', una...

Listening to Latinos on the Heartland Together Tour
To learn how to better support thriving local businesses in rural communities, the Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) launched a two-week listening tour in Kansas, Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska. It’s the opening phase of ‘Heartland Together,’ a partnership with the Ewing...

Listening to Iowa on the Heartland Together Tour
To learn how to better support thriving local businesses in rural communities, the Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) launched a two-week listening tour in Kansas, Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska. It’s the opening phase of ‘Heartland Together,’ a partnership with the Ewing...

Listening to Missouri on the Heartland Together Tour
To learn how to better support thriving local businesses in rural communities, the Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) launched a two-week listening tour in Kansas, Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska. It’s the opening phase of ‘Heartland Together,’ a partnership with the Ewing...

Listening to Cowley County on the Heartland Together Tour
To learn how to better support thriving local businesses in rural communities, the Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) launched a two-week listening tour in Kansas, Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska. It’s the opening phase of ‘Heartland Together,’ a partnership with the Ewing...

Kansas Beats the Virus campaign improved public health outcomes and civic capacity
Beat the Virus Stories, Community Action Plans, KS Beats the Virus, Press Releases, Research Articles
April 20, 2022FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE New research finds KLC's Kansas Beats the Virus campaign improvedpublic health outcomes and civic capacity across Kansas communities Wichita, Kan. – The Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) unveiled today new research that shows...

Listening to Nebraska on the Heartland Together Tour
To learn how to better support thriving local businesses in rural communities, the Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) launched a two-week listening tour in Kansas, Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska. It’s the opening phase of ‘Heartland Together,’ a partnership with the Ewing...

Congratulations, Cory Buchta
Congratulations, Cory Buchta! Congratulations to Cory Buchta, recipient of this year’s Ron Alexander Teach Leadership Scholarship. Named in honor of retired KLC teacher Ron Alexander, this award provides full-tuition for our 50-hour Teach Leadership Intensive, offered...

Remembering Steve Coen
Remembering Steve Coen1953-2022 The Kansas Leadership Center mourns the loss of Steve Coen, former president and CEO of the Kansas Health Foundation and visionary co-founder of the Kansas Leadership Center, who died on February 25. A proud native of St. John, Kansas,...

2021 Annual Report
KS Beats the Virus, Newsroom, Press Releases, Research Articles
Annual Report of the Kansas Leadership Center See where we've been, where we are and where we're headed in KLC's 2021 Annual Report. In KLC's first-ever Annual Report, we’ve outlined a few of the key takeaways from the work our team and partners like you have been...

Tripods, weights among tools to keep seniors engaged
Beat the Virus Stories, KS Beats the Virus
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, BreAnna Monk worried about all the members who had quit coming to the Derby Senior Center for exercise, games and socializing as this highly vulnerable population hunkered down. “The beauty of the center has been to keep these seniors...

Communities discover winning formula with contests
Beat the Virus Stories, KS Beats the Virus
Who would’ve guessed that giving away money would be difficult during the pandemic? Certainly not Julie Turnipseed, but that was exactly the quandary she faced when her Garnett-based agency wanted to help residents battle COVID-19. She is executive director of the...

Winter weather no hindrance to outdoor solutions
Beat the Virus Stories, KS Beats the Virus
As the cold descends upon Kansas, and as COVID-19 keeps its icy grip on the nation, leaders around the state are finding ways to offer respite from the winter doldrums by creating outdoor spaces to safely study, socialize and replenish the souls of those aching for...

Local examples hit home in rural Kansas
Beat the Virus Stories, KS Beats the Virus
In the rural corners of Kansas, agricultural research and extension services are a consistent source of trusted information to communities and farmers. It’s no surprise then, that those groups, and their junior version, 4-H, have stepped up to take action in response...

Talk isn’t cheap in fighting COVID
Beat the Virus Stories, KS Beats the Virus
Ever since 1974, as many as 400,000 revelers have annually flocked to the banks of the Arkansas River in Wichita for Riverfest. The nine-day June event is a fair, carnival and concert all rolled into one. But COVID pretty much stopped Riverfest in its tracks last...

Health challenges add urgency to curbing COVID in southeast counties
Beat the Virus Stories, KS Beats the Virus
The month of September was pure misery for Michele VanWinkle, isolated at home and wracked by the severe symptoms of COVID-19. “There were days I couldn’t shower by myself. There were days I couldn’t walk down the hallway from my bed to the couch,” VanWinkle said....

COVID aid brings new meaning to special delivery
Beat the Virus Stories, KS Beats the Virus
Kansans are taking many different approaches to fighting the spread of COVID in their communities, but if there is one common thread to these efforts it is hope. Hope that all their efforts can relieve isolation and financial insecurity. And above all, hope for a...

Testing will remain crucial even with COVID vaccine rollout
Beat the Virus Stories, KS Beats the Virus
The nation received an early Christmas present when, in mid-December, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration began approving COVID-19 vaccines. But all did not go as planned. Kansas health officials, for instance, recently were forced to defend their last-in-the-nation...

Libraries battle COVID with adaptations and creativity
Beat the Virus Stories, KS Beats the Virus
It’s hard to surpass the local library as a resource for just about everyone. Visitors scanning shelves for the works of literary giants of the past rub elbows with users browsing websites via high-speed internet. Books, magazines, newspapers, reference items, DVDs –...

Daily Update: Outdoor camp hopes to amp up their facility as safe coworking spaces
Community Action Plans, KS Beats the Virus
The Outdoor Education Laboratory (OEL) in Stilwell, KS hopes to provide local organizations additional space to gather safely both outside as well as inside. Their action plan includes repurposing existing buildings with furniture and equipment to allow multiple...

Daily Update: The K-12 Initiative experiments with new STEM programs
Community Action Plans, KS Beats the Virus
To continue to encourage Wyandotte county youth to explore careers in health and STEM fields, the K-12 Initiative along with Turning Point Church staff developed an action plan to assist teachers in planning COVID-related science projects this semester and...

Daily Update: Bold COVID challenge strives to get 75% of Cowley County adults vaccinated
Community Action Plans, KS Beats the Virus
In an effort to inform the community and overcome uncertainty surrounding the efficacy of the COVID vaccine, Leadership Cowley County developed an action plan titled #COVIDVaccineChallenge. This plan includes providing information on how to protect yourself and your...

Kansas Leadership Center Launches Multi-State Listening Tour
March 21, 2022 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Kansas Leadership Center and Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation Launch 'Heartland Together' Partnership with Multi-State Listening Tour Wichita, Kan. – In an effort to address the systemic challenges that make it hard to start and...

Dr. Kaye Monk-Morgan joins KLC as Chief Impact Officer
March 9, 2022 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Kansas Leadership Center Appoints Dr. V. Kaye Monk-Morgan as Chief Impact Officer Wichita, Kan. – The Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) announced today that Dr. V. Kaye Monk-Morgan has been named the nonprofit organization’s chief...

Kansans launch 1,010 action projects to combat COVID-19
Beat the Virus Stories, Community Action Plans, KS Beats the Virus, Press Releases
February 16, 2022 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1,162 Kansans led ‘Kansas Beats the Virus’ effort to conclusion, launched 1,010 action projects to combat COVID-19 across state Wichita, Kan. – “Kansas Beats the Virus” (KBTV) – a public health partnership between the...

Damon Young Joins KLC as Chief Business Officer
January 6, 2022 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Kansas Leadership Center Appoints Damon Young as Chief Business Officer Wichita, Kan. – The Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) announced today that Damon Young has been named the nonprofit organization’s chief business officer. Young...

2021 Annual Report
KS Beats the Virus, Newsroom, Press Releases, Research Articles
Annual Report of the Kansas Leadership Center See where we've been, where we are and where we're headed in KLC's 2021 Annual Report. In KLC's first-ever Annual Report, we’ve outlined a few of the key takeaways from the work our team and partners like you have been...
Announcing Recipients of 2022 Leadership Transformation Grants
October 20, 2021 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Kansas Leadership Center announces recipients of 2022 Leadership Transformation Grants Wichita, Kan. – The Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) has selected 37 new organizations and 50 returning organizations across Kansas as 2022...

News Release: Kansas Beats the Virus Evaluation Report
KS Beats the Virus, Newsroom, Press Releases, Research Articles
September 29, 2021 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE New research on grassroots pandemic activism finds personal connections, shared purpose empowered Kansans to take action Wichita, Kan. – Third Floor Research—the research partnership between the Kansas Leadership Center (KLC)...

Applications Open for Leadership Transformation Grants
August 4, 2021 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Kansas Leadership Center now accepting applications for 2022 Leadership Transformation Grants Wichita, Kan. – The Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) is offering workforce development grants to organizations across Kansas to help them...

KLC Announces Development Grants to Organizations Serving Communities of Color
July 14, 2021 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Kansas Leadership Center awards grants and support to Kansas organizations serving communities of color Wichita, Kan. – In an effort to cultivate leadership and inspire hope for the future among Kansans of color, the Kansas...

Kansas Leadership Center Announces New Board Members
February 15, 2021 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Kansas Leadership Center Announces Three New Board Members Wichita, Kan. – The Kansas Leadership Center (KLC), an educational organization founded to foster civic leadership for healthier Kansas communities, welcomes three new...

Kansas Beats the Virus initiative mobilized 7,000 Kansans
KS Beats the Virus, Newsroom, Press Releases
February 1, 2021 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ‘Kansas Beats the Virus’ project mobilized 7,000 Kansans launching 827 action plans to combat COVID across the state Wichita, Kan. – “Kansas Beats the Virus”– a statewide, bi-partisan public health intervention to combat the...
‘Kansas Beats the Virus’ initiative mobilizing Kansans in 72 Counties with 695 Community Action Plans to Date
Wichita, Kan. – The “Kansas Beats the Virus” effort, a statewide, bi-partisan public health intervention to combat the pandemic has less than two weeks before the campaign ends on December 31, 2020. The initiative is a partnership between the Kansas Leadership Center...
Uncover a Revolutionary Approach to Leadership with our Bestselling Book
A national bestseller with a suite of related products and services.
