Speakers

Everyone knows they need an estate plan. Even if you have one, though, it’s important to be aware of what can go wrong. Laura will share eye-opening scenarios to help you review your own estate plan through a slightly different lens.

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Laura McKnight | Creative Planning

Laura McKnight serves as the Managing Director of Practice Development, helping extend the firm’s services into specialized industries and other trusted networks where clients have distinctive needs, such as business ownership, aviation, law enforcement, dentistry, professional sports and entrepreneurship.

Laura began her career practicing tax, corporate and estate planning law. Thereafter, spent six years leading business development and market expansion efforts as the president and CEO of a large community foundation that managed more than $5 billion in assets. In 2012, Laura took on the role of CEO at a private equity firm that administered nearly $8 billion in donor-advised fund assets on its SaaS platform before later facilitating the company’s sale to another private equity-owned company.

Leopold Gallery is one of Kansas City’s oldest art galleries. Founded in 1991 by Paul Dorrell, he and his staff have spent 35 years advancing culture in business and in KC. Paul will share his story of Leopold Gallery, how he supports the arts, and how KC businesses have supported the arts in return.

 Lessons from the Road: A Cross-Country Driver’s Story to Purpose and Community

In this engaging and inspiring talk, Emmah shares her journey from Nairobi, Kenya, to leading one of the U.S.’s largest entrepreneurship programs at the Kauffman Foundation. Framed through the lens of a cross-country driver, she reflects on resilience, adaptability, and the pursuit of purpose, while highlighting the critical role of community in driving entrepreneurial success. She also introduces 1 Million Cups, a national movement with over 85,000 members and 800 volunteers across 100+ communities and invites Rotary members to help strengthen local entrepreneurship and expand economic opportunity.

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Dr. Emmah Muema is a leader, published scholar, and advocate for entrepreneurship and economic opportunity. She supports the national 1 Million Cups program at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, one of the largest community-driven entrepreneurship initiatives in the United States.

Originally from Nairobi, Kenya, Dr. Muema has built a career across corporate banking, higher education, and public service. She also serves as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, teaching international public relations.

Dr. Muema is passionate about building spaces where entrepreneurs can be seen, heard, and supported in strengthening entrepreneurial ecosystems, advancing inclusive economic mobility, and empowering communities through connection and shared learning.

 

Glimpse into the world of professional storyteller Cynthia Orr. Learn about the armed prison guard who told her, "I guess we won't have to shoot you" and enjoy stories that blend humor and heartfelt wisdom. Cynthia recently took first place in the KC Moth storytelling competition.

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Cynthia became a full-time storyteller for ten years, starting in the late 1970s. After a 40-year break from storytelling, she recently moved to Kansas City, where she is happily returning to storytelling. She tells original stories and as well as stories from different cultures and times. Always, her intent is to enrich and delight.