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Shadow Day Nonprofit Connect

Shadow Day

Now more than ever, the nonprofit sector is in need of emerging talent. After a hiatus since 2019, we are thrilled to bring this event back for 2024!

Shadow Day matches college students interested in the sector with local nonprofit professionals for a day of learning and networking. The event allows undergraduate and graduate students to experience a workday in their dream job and develop connections in the nonprofit community.

This event attracts over 100 students from local colleges and universities participate in Shadow Day. You want to be a part of this event!

Shadow Day 2024

Friday, February 23 | 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

8:30 - 10:00 AM | at the Kauffman Foundation

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Shadow Day at host organizations

For Nonprofit Professionals

Calling all nonprofit professionals! This is your chance to share your experience and inspire the next generation of nonprofit leaders. We need a wide variety of organizations and departments to host students for Shadow Day. The deadline to sign up as a host organization is Friday, December 1. 

You can learn more about Shadow Day, view the timeline leading up to the event, view sample itineraries and more by reading the Host Guide below.

For College Students

Student Registration for Shadow Day 2024 will open on October 30, 2023

Are you a college student considering a career in the nonprofit sector or scouting out options for a summer internship? Shadow Day is an incredible opportunity to get a head start and gain "on-the-job" experience. Come network and learn with seasoned nonprofit professionals in the Kansas City area.

Shadow Day begins with a networking breakfast and young professionals panel at the Kauffman Foundation and continues as you head to your host organization and participate in your host's workday.

Choose Your Nonprofit Host

Once you have registered for Shadow Day, Nonprofit Connect will email you a link to select the top 5 Nonprofit Hosts you'd like to shadow from the list below. Every effort will be made to match you with one of your choices. Remember to consider both the role and organization when selecting.

*indicates that this Host will offer the opportunity to meet with other staff or departments in the organization

Alyson Stewart
Director of Development
Académie Lafayette

 

Itzel Vargas-Valenzuela
Program Coordinator
Advocates for Immigrant Rights and Reconciliation

 

Jane Fletcher*
Director of Administration
After the Harvest

 

Sarah Knopf-Amelung*
Director of Strategy & Growth
Amethyst Place, Inc.

 
 
Branden Haralson*
Senior Manager, Public Policy & Government Relations
ArtsKC - Regional Arts Council

 

Andrew Levi*
Director of Programs and Community Engagement
Band of Angels

 

Carol Ledbetter*
Volunteer coordinator
Blessings Abound

 

Macaela Stephenson
Director of Community Relations and Investment
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City

 

Kelly Lee
Executive Director
Camp Encourage

 

Natalie Julien
President
CASA of Johnson and Wyandotte Counties

 

Jetzel Chavira*
Community Engagement & Volunteer Coordinator
Charlotte Street Foundation

 

Randi Spruill*
Director of Forensic Services
Child Protection Center

 

Ariel Griffin*
Global Lewd for Education
Children International

 

Emma Gibson*
Marketing Coordinator
Childrens Center for the Visually Impaired

 

Rob Whitten
Chief Executive Officer
Children's Services Fund of Jackson County

 

Nathalie Martínez*
Director of Operations & Marketing
Community Housing of Wyandotte County

 

Ophelia Brinkley
Executive Director
Creative Emajinations

 

Leslie Gasser*
Director of Institutional Advancement
Cristo Rey Kansas City

 

Rachel Russell*
Director of Community Engagement
Cross-Lines Community Outreach

 

Mariah Roady*
Chief Development Officer
EarlystART (formerly known as United Inner City Services)

 

Sarah Lowderman*
Program Director
Global Ties KC

 

Katherine Maloney*
VP of Workforce Development
Goodwill of Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas

 

Amber McWilliams
Development Manager
Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City

 

Michael Liimatta*
Chief Operating Officer
Healing House, Inc.

 

Sidonie Garrett*
Executive Artistic Director
Heart of America Shakespeare Festival

 

Emily Sterk
Executive director and founder
Healing Towards Wellness

 

Matthew Zimmer*
Programs Director
Heartland 180, Inc.

 

Barbara Fitzgerald*
VP of Development
Hillcrest Transitional Housing

 

Daniella Barragan*
Director of Shelter Operations
Humane Society of Greater Kansas City

 
Courtney Gebauer*
Director of Community Engagement
Inclusion Connections/PawsAbilities

 

Angi Hejduk
Chief Executive Officer
InterUrban ArtHouse, Inc.

 

Alana Henry*
Executive Director
Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council

 

Debbie Bass*
Chief Development Officer (CDO)
Jewish Family Services of Greater Kansas City (JFS)

 

Cindy Ross
COO/CFO
Jewish Family Services of Greater Kansas City (JFS)

 

Jenny Spurling*
Community Support & Customer Service Supervisor
Johnson County Aging and Human Services - Central Multi-Service Center

 

Kimberly Hankins*
Director of Recruiting & Staffing
Job One

 
Sara Swearingen
Volunteer Manager
Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City

 

Lea Petrie*
Executive Director
Kansas City Jazz Orchestra

 

Stephanie Brimhall*
Director of Education and Community Engagement
Kansas City Symphony

 

Tori Fugate
Chief Communications Officer
KC Pet Project

 

Janet Baker*
Executive Director
KC Shepherd's Center

 

Terri Goddard*
Director of Development and Community Outreach
KC Shepherd's Center

 

Lori Johnson
Director of HR
KidsTLC

 

Jessica Elliott*
Child Placing Agency Senior Director
KVC Missouri

Hayley Rees*
Volunteer Manager
Lead to Read KC

 

Carl Stafford
Founder/Visionary
MY REGION WINS! (MRW!) Kansas City's creative nonprofit organization

 

Carolyn Fischer
President
National Multiple Sclerosis Society

 

Katherine Morse*
Public Programs Manager
Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, JCCC

 
Mandi Jean Retter
Executive Director
NourishKC

 

Kristin Robinson*
Executive Director
Project C.U.R.E.

 

Mackenzie Lutz*
Donor Relations Manager
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City

 

Jessica Osban
Saint Luke's Foundation
Saint Luke's Foundation

 

Erinn Brown
VP of Philanthropy & Engagement
St. Teresa's Academy

 

Judith Rodman*
President/CEO
Sunflower House, Inc.

 

Ann Thomas*
CEO
The Children's Place

 

Janice Taylor*
Director of Development
The Hope Center KC

 

Madeline Rislow
Curator / Senior Manager of Learning and Engagement
The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures

 

Kelly Blandford*
Executive Director
The Parks and Recreation Foundation of Johnson County

 

Andy Kroesen*
Executive Director
The Peace Pavilion

 

Keith Wiedenkeller*
Director of Arts & Culture /
Managing Artistic Director
The White Theatre at The Jewish Community Center

 

Jennifer Menon Parker*
Executive Director
Tiny Pantry Times

 
Rebecca Dye*
Director of Communications and Marketing
Truman Heartland Community Foundation

 
John Schnebly*
Accountant
Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity

 
Sara Lissauer*
VP Community Engagement & Development
Union Station Kansas City

 
Dr. Wes Parham*
Executive Director
Urban Scholastic Center

 
Christy Wineland*
Vice President of Administration
Welcome House

 

Matt Saunders*
Senior Director of Camps
Youthfront

Why should you participate?

Questions

For questions about Shadow Day, please contact Hannah Bernardini at events@npconnect.org.

Hosted in partnership with