Greetings Greater Missouri Leadership Friends!

It’s been a busy summer at Greater Missouri Leadership Foundation this summer.  I first want to extend thanks to Betsy Rodriguez for her leadership of our organization and congratulate her on her new position as Sr. VP Human Resources for Children’s Hospital Colorado in Denver.  We wish the best for Betsy!  I know it was hard for her to say goodbye to Greater Missouri Leadership!

I’m pleased to step into the role as president of our Board of Directors.  I look forward to working closely with our other hard-working board members and our staff members to move our organization forward, as we meet our mission to educate and inspire women leaders to make a difference in their communities.

I am a 1998 graduate of Greater Missouri.  This program was instrumental in my professional development and in gaining a better understanding of critical issues facing our communities across the state.  Shortly after going through Greater Missouri, I had the courage to quit the big firm law job, become a “recovering attorney” and go work for the Mayor in Kansas City.  My Greater Missouri colleagues provided me that courage.

The true value of Greater Missouri for me has been the connections and friendships made – these friends I met through Greater Missouri have been there through it all – over the past 20 years – providing supporting, encouragement, a sounding board, connections, business and most important friendship.

No other leadership program or professional development opportunity has provided me what Greater Missouri has.  And I know there are countless other stories like that from hundreds of our alumnae across the state.

What is so unique about Greater Missouri Leadership Foundation is also the caliber and number of exceptional leaders that support this organization.   We have committee board members, advisors and volunteers.  I want to thank each of you for your passion and commitment to this organization.

I also want to welcome two newest board members representing Ameren, Stephanie Banker, 2012 alumna, and Gaye Suggett, 2013.  Stephanie serves as VP of Engineering at Ameren’s Callaway Nuclear Plant.  Gaye serves as the Manager of Regulatory Affairs for Ameren.  Special thanks to LaDawn Ostmann, 2014 Alumna, who serves as Director of Labor Relations for Ameren and to Tara Oglesby, 2008 alumna and VP of Customer Experience, for their years of excellent service on our board!  You will be missed.

There are some more exciting things happening that I wanted to share.

We invite you to submit your confidential nomination for our 2019 Women of the Year award!  Do you know of an outstanding prominent Missouri female leader who exemplifies the definition of the Greater Missouri Woman?  The luncheon will be held in May in Kansas City.  Nominations are due by September 20.  You can use the link http://www.jotform.us/form/42614123588152 to submit a nomination.

It’s also the time of year we encourage you to submit your nominations for outstanding women to participate in our 2019 Greater Missouri Leadership Challenge.  Your nominations are always welcome, of course, but we are now in the process of beginning to put together our 2019 GMLC class.  Our link for Challenger nominations is https://secure.jotform.us/form/50894752382161

Our 2018 GMLC class heads to Kirksville for Session III on September 12.  These 37 Challengers are enjoying a great year together.  They are energetic and enthusiastic, and show that they love to learn.

Just a few more days to sign up for our annual Alumnae Retreat, scheduled for October 11 – 12 in Springfield.  I can’t wait to see you there and urge you to encourage others from your Challenge year to meet you there.  For details, please contact JGrossmann@greatermo.org or LBaumgartner@greatermo.org.

Please know that your ideas and suggestions are always welcomed by our board of directors and our executive director!  You can reach me personally at kim@kimbecking.com or at 573-808-6315.

Thank you for the honor to serve you this year!  I look forward to connecting to you throughout the year.

Here’s to Greater Missouri Women,

Kim Becking, Alumna 1998
Chief Motivator, Momentum Motivation