Michelle Locke, CPA, CGFM | Chief Financial Officer

Michelle Locke, CPA, CGFM, serves as chief financial officer at the Kansas Leadership Center, where she oversees budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, grants management and the day-to-day financial operations that sustain KLC’s work. With a background in public sector finance, she approaches accounting as a way to tell a clear story, strengthen business processes and maintain internal controls that support sound decision-making. She brings a steady, disciplined approach to financial oversight, ensuring KLC’s resources are managed with integrity and aligned with its long-term sustainability.

Michelle first connected with KLC in 2016 as a program participant. The principle “it starts with you, and you must engage others” continues to shape how she approaches her work. Throughout her career, she has partnered with cross-functional teams where progress depended on bringing diverse perspectives together, drawing out multiple interpretations and testing small interventions to move complex work forward.

Curious by nature, Michelle continues to deepen her understanding of KLC’s leadership framework and considers how it applies to organizational stewardship and sustainability. She values open dialogue, shared problem-solving and contributing to work that serves a larger purpose.

Outside of work, Michelle enjoys time with her family, especially on outdoor adventures such as hiking or visiting the zoo and botanical gardens. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in visual art and graphic design and collects artwork from local artists, reflecting a long-standing appreciation for creativity and design.