C3KC Conference

Spark Change for a Better Kansas City!

Tuesday, April 7, 2026  |  Union Station, Kansas City

C3KC is a collaborative conference that brings together the civic, corporate, and nonprofit communities to spark change for a better Kansas City. Now in its ninth year, C3KC has quickly become a cornerstone of change, presenting relevant and cutting-edge topics focused on social innovation. Panel discussions led by local and national thought leaders provide attendees with opportunities to engage, exchange ideas, and network.

 

Questions? Email c3kc@jlkc.org.

2026 TICKET SALES HAVE CLOSED

2026 TICKET SALES HAVE CLOSED

C3KC 2026 Program

2026 Conference Schedule

7:45 a.m. Registration

 

8:30 a.m. Welcome – Grand Hall

 

Keynote Presentation by Shaylyn Romney Garrett co-author of The Upswing

 

9:45 a.m. Concurrent Sessions
    • AI at Work: How Local Innovation Is Expanding Opportunity, Not Replacing Jobs – Chamber Board Room 
    • Back to the Basics: The Literacy Imperative – Federal, State and Local Leaders in Conversation – Innovation Center
    • Our Region’s Health Story: Equity, Access, and the Realities of Systemic Change – Arthur Stilwell Room

 

10:40 a.m. Break

 

10:50 a.m. Concurrent Sessions
    • Not One Solution: How Kansas City Is Tackling Housing Affordability from Every Angle – Chamber Board Room
    • Moving Kansas City Forward: Transportation, Opportunity, and Community Transformation – Innovation Center
    • Beyond Food: The Far-reaching Impact of SNAP on Families and Institutions – Arthur Stilwell Room

 

11:45 a.m. Lunch
    • Remarks and Tributes
    • Branton/Hall Community Collaborator Award Presentation
    • Plenary Session: The Next Renaissance: Culture and Creativity in the Paris of the Plains

 

1:10 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
    • Policing with Purpose: Enhancing Public Safety Through Technology and Community Engagement – Chamber Board Room
    • Disagreement Without Division: Promoting Conversation Across Divides – Innovation Center
    • From Classroom to Career: How KC Prepares Students for Tomorrow’s Workforce – Arthur Stilwell Room

 

2:05 p.m. Break

 

2:15 p.m. Closing Session

 

Goal! What the 2026 FIFA World Cup Means for Our Community – Grand Hall

 

3:15 p.m. Final Remarks – Grand Hall

 

3:25 p.m. Networking – Grand Hall

C3KC 2026 Event Advisors

  • Dan Cranshaw, JD, KC Health Collaborative
  • André Davis, Transformative Impact Strategies
  • Courtney Forkum, The Philanthropy Place
  • Alfredo Garcia, Ph.D., RG Capital Partners
  • Davin Gordon, Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center 
  • Whitney Hosty, Greater Kansas City Community Foundation
  • Naiomi Jamal, MD, MPH, CMQ, Swope Health
  • Geoff Jolley, LISC
  • Dr. Leigh Anne Taylor Knight, The DeBruce Foundation
  • Paula Neth, Futures First
  • Brent Never, Ph.D., Bloch School of Management, UMKC
  • Adriana Pecina, Health Forward Foundation
  • Merideth Rose, Cornerstones of Care
  • Susan Wally, PREP—KC
  • Jamila Weaver, Mission Vision Project KC
  • Nia Webster, City of Kansas City, Missouri
  • Gene Willis, GEHA

2026 Co-Chairs

Erica Prieto

Kimberlee Ried

Past Chairs

2025

  • Alexis Strauss
  • Anna Thomas-Rios
  • Jeanne Sosland

2024

  • Lillian Coye
  • Kimberly Craig
  • Jeanne Sosland

2023

  • Becky Haddican
  • Emma Robertson
  • Jeanne Sosland

2022

  • Ericka Duker
  • Lori Longoria
  • Jeanne Sosland

2021

  • Stephanie Davis
  • Kristen Patterson
  • Robin Rowland

2020

  • Emily Bell
  • Katie Kwo Gerson
  • Carrie-Lynn Rodenberg

2019

  • Ash Parulekar

2018

  • Monica Curls
  • Courtney Karr

 

AJLI Award Winning Event

C3KC is also a major fundraiser for the Junior League of Kansas City (JLKC).  In 2021, C3KC earned an award from the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI) in recognition of its accomplishments in facilitating conversations impacting the three sectors and raising substantial funds that have been channeled back into the metro area.