Seventeen area executives became graduates of the Doniphan Leadership Institute following a ceremony at William Jewell College Wednesday, Feb. 8.
The graduates included staff members of organizations ranging from Ameristar Casino Hotel to Mid-Continent Public Library. Now in its 10th year, the institute is cosponsored by the Pryor Center at the college and the Clay County Economic Development Council.
The new Doniphan Fellows had high praise for the program as they addressed nearly 100 family, friends and coworkers at the event. Although they live and work throughout Greater Kansas City, many had similar observations about the institute.
Kansas City, Kansas, resident Nkolika Obiesie was among the graduates stressing personal growth. Employed at Clay County Public Health Center, she said the program’s lessons are just beginning.
“This has been a catalyst for me,” she said. “I will be applying this learning for a lifetime. It’s been a tremendous opportunity.”
The dinner event was held in the college’s Yates/Gill Union and included speakers Kevin Shaffstall, director of the Pryor Center for Leadership Development at the college; Joe Millas, guest instructor; Tom Vansaghi, professor of Business and Leadership at the college, and Jim Hampton, executive director of the Clay County Economic Development Council, cosponsor of the Institute with the Pryor Center.
The complete list of new Doniphan Fellows: Amy Barclay, Mid-Continent Public Library, Mission; Linda Currid, Ameristar, North Kansas City; Jacque Davis, Liberty Hospital, Parkville; Kimberly Harris, Liberty Hospital, Lawson; Tina Hartford, lngredion, Olathe; Melissa Kesner, Children’s Mercy Hospital, Overland Park; Amy Leonard Sleeper, Children’s Mercy Hospital, Prairie Village; Jordan McKinney, William Jewell College, Liberty; Melissa Mohler, Clay County, Smithville; Sheila Montgomery Park, Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City; Nkolika Obiesie, Clay County Public Health Center, Kansas City, Kan.; Tyler Polsgrove, KCP&L, Platte City; Anthony Sands, City of Gladstone, Gladstone; Jill Seib-Schaub, Mid-Continent Public Library, Kansas City; Annette Shelton, Kearney Schools, Kearney; Bronson Smith, Harrah’s Casino, North Kansas City; and Nikki Thorn, Clay County, Liberty.
– Story from Dale Garrison