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Donate to Other Community Resources

Thank you for thinking of Women's Employment Network (WEN) for your donation. Our professional clothing bank is still closed and we have not determined a re-opening date.

We have been making referrals to other community resources: Connections to Success, The Single Mom KC, Catholic Charities and area domestic violence shelters. All of these organizations provide various services to women.
 
Women's Employment Network appreciates your support.

Megan is a member of the WEN Development Committee and Legacy Circle. We asked her a few questions about how she got involved with WEN and why she supports us.

Tell me how you first got connected to WEN. 

Julie Bowen and I were having coffee and discussing what organizations we were involved in and what opportunities there were for each of us. She mentioned a great group called Young Friends of WEN. I had attended the WEN luncheon previously with my company and was very impressed by the event. She invited me to a meeting, and the rest is history!

What was your first impression of WEN?

My first impression of the organization was that it is a community of strong women, dedicated to the career growth and success of other women. If I had to sum it up in one word, “Inspiring!”

What do you wish other people knew about WEN?

I wish people were aware of all the resources and services that WEN has to offer. The programming goes so far beyond the initial job search program/training and assistance with landing that next job. WEN provides support for women to build goals for their careers and lives.  

What's your day job?

I am a Senior Associate at BRR Architecture, a Kansas City-based design firm with 11 locations across the US. I lead a team of designers working on projects in the retail and grocery markets. My favorite part about my job is the relationships I have built with team members and clients during the 14 years I’ve worked at BRR. 

What do you do when you aren't working?

My husband and I love to travel and explore new places. At home, I love to cook and work on the never-ending house remodeling projects in our 1930’s home.

Why did you decide to join Legacy Circle?

I have been fortunate in my career to have the support of many female family members and mentors.  I wanted to give back and support other women through their career journey.

What do you enjoy about being on Development Committee?

Through the development committee, I have been able to connect with other women leaders in the community. Using our networks, we are able to not only support WEN financially but also spread the word about this amazing organization!

Amber is a CPA who had the privilege of starting her own firm eight years ago. She describes it as the most rewarding career decision she's made, and now she helps other women make their next career steps as a member of Legacy Circle. We asked her a few questions about why she supports WEN.

Tell me how you first got connected to WEN:

“Pam Breuckmann and Jen Regas (friends and fellow CPAs) reached out to me to ask if I’d be willing to serve on the finance committee. I, surprisingly, had not heard of WEN, but when they explained to me its purpose, I was very excited to serve such a remarkable organization.”

What do you wish other people knew about WEN? 

“That any woman in any phase of life can be helped by this organization in many different ways, from practicing interviews or finding a professional wardrobe to opening doors to a gratifying new career.”     

What do you enjoy about being on the Finance Committee?

“Financial health in a business is very important and since I have the privilege of working with my clients on this every day, it is fun and fulfilling to be part of this for WEN.”

What do you do when you aren't working? 

“My family and I spend a lot of time at Table Rock Lake. We’re water sports fanatics and find it hard to be on dry land when lake season is over. I am also one check ride away from getting my private pilot’s license.”

Why did you decide to join Legacy Circle? 

“I truly believe in WEN because I’ve talked with the women who have been directly impacted by WEN volunteers and I’ve seen the opportunities WEN provides those same women. It’s an honor for me to give back through the Legacy Circle.

Toni is a tireless champion for WEN and we love how passionate she is about serving her community. We asked her a few questions about how she got involved with WEN and why she supports us.

Tell me how you first got connected to WEN:

I was actually invited to a WEN luncheon several years ago. The speaker and the cause were so compelling that I knew I wanted to know more, and more importantly, to do more. 

What was your first impression of WEN? 

Authentic. That would absolutely be the word I would use.

What do you wish other people knew about WEN? 

That they are for EVERY woman, from many walks of life, many circumstances, many stories...and we have the honor and opportunity to help continue their stories.

What's your day job?   

I am an EVP and Head of HR at Country Club Bank.  I am so fortunate to have the opportunity to impact people.  I am surrounded by such fantastic people and opportunities that I always look forward to coming to work.  If we aren’t put on this earth to make some type of impact or improve something, even in a small way, then what are we here for?  I surround myself with people who are smarter than me (which isn’t difficult) and stay out of their way so they can do brilliant things.

What do you do when you aren't working?  

I admit to being an adrenaline junkie, and appreciate adventure sports.  I try to think about ways I can be a better version of myself tomorrow than I was today.

What do you enjoy about being on Development Committee?   

It is a great opportunity to network with like-minded individuals, who are passionate about this organization and the work they do here.  Coming together for a cause, and leveraging contacts to provide an opportunity for WEN to continue their impact is time and effort well spent. 

Why did you decide to join Legacy Circle?   

I think a lot about what kind of wake (like the wake behind a boat) I leave behind me.  “To whom much has been given, much is expected” is a quote I appreciate.  It is also such an impressive group of people.  Connectedness of forward-thinking and like-minded individuals is so valuable.

I was first connected to WEN when I met Sherry Turner through a mutual friend. Her passion for WEN was contagious as we discussed volunteer opportunities--I knew before I met Sherry that I wanted to be involved with WEN. After talking with her, I realized I could start by serving in the financial oversight of the organization.

I was thrilled to learn about WEN--to discover that Kansas City had an organization dedicated to helping women with their career path!  I wish more people could know about WEN and how it helps women turn around their lives with the empowerment of employment.

My background as a CPA has  provided me with fundamentals for a career that has been challenging, engaging, and educational. I perform financial and business consulting services for a variety of organizations.

When I am not playing with my grandson, I find time (and enjoy cooking) for the rest of my family, who all live in the Kansas City area. I have renewed my love of bicycling recently, take ballroom dance lessons and seem always to have an “outside project.” I am a volunteer with the University of Kansas Alzheimer’s Disease Center, which has been an informative and rewarding experience.

I am privileged to serve on the Finance Committee for WEN with an inspirational and enthusiastic group of women. It is wonderful to witness the commitment, and empowerment, they bring to WEN and their lives.

I attended a Legacy Circle event shortly after my mother had passed away; she had always been a champion of employment and talked to me from a young age about the importance of working. (She found my first paying “job” for me when I was 11.)  Mom would have been a perfect client for the WEN  program.  As I listened to the Legacy speaker, I realized what a great way to honor my mother AND the women who benefitted from WEN!  She would be thrilled to know the wonderful work the organization performs.

Tell me how you first got connected to WEN?
I was having dinner with a friend when she asked me if I had heard about WEN. She went on to tell me all about the organization and all the great things they do for women in our community and told me about an open house they were having. I was instantly drawn to a program that helps women in our community build their careers.

What was your first impression of WEN?
As I walked into the annual Legacy Circle open house event, I didn’t know anyone, and I was a little nervous. Almost instantly my nerves went away when I was greeted by the great staff and other Legacy Circle members and I got to learn more about them and the work that WEN was doing for women in our community. 

What do you wish other people knew about WEN?
I think the #1 thing I want people to know about WEN is just that they exist! I want women in Kansas City looking for career direction to know that there WEN is a program locally to help them and I want our community to know more about WEN so they can help support the organization!

What's your day job?
I am the Digital Director and helped launch IN Kansas City magazine and media company Our strategy is to be the city and lifestyle content provider, in print, social media, and online, for Kansas Citians interested in what’s happening in the metro. We’re all about amazing experiences, music news and reviews, what theater to see, the latest fashion trends, exquisite homes and gardens, restaurant reviews, what’s new and who’s who. And we feature a robust online events calendar that has quickly become the go-to resource for events in Kansas City.

What do you do when you aren't working?
I love to hang out with friends, play fetch with my dogs, figure out how to improve/make the best-looking charcuterie board ever, and take trips with my husband exploring new cities!

Why did you decide to join Legacy Circle?
I think women need to do more to support each other in every aspect! Often people can be critical of each other instead of supporting, and the WEN organization allows us to support those who are asking and wanting support to further their career and take the next step!

Tell me how you first got involved in with WEN?
Being new to Kansas City, I was looking for an opportunity to get involved in the community.  One of my passions is diversity & inclusion so I began researching opportunities with organizations who share this passion--WEN was the first organization that caught my eye!  I signed up for Volunteer Orientation to learn more.  After hearing the presentation given by Ashley Williamson, I immediately fell in love with the mission and values of WEN and joined the Development Fund Committee.

What was your first impression of WEN?
WEN is doing amazing work in the community to reach women who are employed, unemployed, looking for a career change, or new to the workforce!  As a Human Resources professional, I am so impressed that WEN offers everything you need to be successful.  If you can commit to showing up, they will take it from there.  From self-esteem building, to financial planning, mock-interviews, to resume writing assistance and even receiving a new professional outfit! 

What do you wish other people knew about WEN?
When you become involved with WEN, it is for life.  It is not just about supporting the organization itself, but more so about becoming a champion for strong, intelligent women everywhere.  It has been wonderful to hear stories from Board Members, staff and graduates of WEN’s Signature Program about how they know WEN is family that can be relied on at any time for support, kindness and diverse perspectives.

What do you do when you aren't working?
Meditation, photography and travel.  I recently bought a house so my partner, Dane, and I spend a decent amount of time on home improvement projects. (Thankful for YouTube!)

Why did you decide to join Legacy Circle?In the words of Maya Angelou, “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.”  I know what it is to lose a job, lose a home and be left with what feels like nothing.  Over the years, I have had to rely on the kindness of friends, family and strangers to get to where I am today, so it is an honor to be able to give back to women who are trying to provide a life for themselves and their families.

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