Seth Bate | Director of Learning and Development

Seth Bate startles people.

He sings on the walking paths at the parks in his town. His is often the loudest voice in the stands at a baseball game. He laughs in church. He asks impolite questions.

Seth’s creative rebelliousness shows up in his work as director of learning and development at the Kansas Leadership Center, where he refuses to accept that complex challenges are unsolvable and consistently invites people to see new possibilities when they feel stuck.

Seth brings more than 25 years of experience in leadership education, facilitation, and organizational learning. After co-facilitating a community leadership program for five years, he began working at Wichita State University in 2006 and later joined KLC, where he has helped shape learning experiences across programs and partnerships. He was the first person to complete KLC’s Leadership Coach certification and holds the International Coach Federation’s Professional Certified Coach (PCC) designation.

Known for his inventive ways of making leadership concepts accessible and memorable, Seth blends empathy, humor, and directness in his work. Conversations with him often feel easy—until a well-timed question opens an entirely new perspective. His presence makes room for laughter, clarity and thoughtful silence.

Seth loves Kansas history and the music Kansans make and enjoy. These interests come through in his book, Winfield’s Walnut Valley Festival, named a Kansas Notable Book in 2023. Whether encountered on a walking trail or in a learning space, Seth tends to leave people with more energy, more clarity and a renewed sense of possibility.