Kansas Future Fellows

Foresight and innovation with a purpose

Kansas Future Fellows

...imagine—and act on—leading-edge strategies today that inspire Kansas children and families to dream and thrive in the future.

Future Fellows is a unique program developed by the University of Kansas Center for Public Partnerships and Research (CPPR).

We need new skills for a new day.

Why We Need Future Fellows

Hope. If we’ve learned anything from our current environment, it’s that time marches on whether we’re ready or not. The future is unlimited – a myriad of choices with influencers yet unknown and often out of our control. It’s a struggle to pick a direction, adapt quickly, and prevail as we challenge ourselves to ensure that every child can thrive today and in every tomorrow.

Future Fellows succeed because we’re better together. We collaborate to achieve connections that make certain Kansas is an exceptional place to do business and raise a family.

Graphic illustration of the great engagement and great undoing in Kansas including wellness, workforce, education and community

Empowering Imagination and Innovation

Hope drives us. We hope to lead the change we want to see for the future, and more importantly, we hope to uplift and mobilize those around us to also engage in this charge.

We aspire to be a powerful catalyst for leading a reawakening and reconnection within and between communities across Kansas . . . what we call The Great Engagement.

12-Month Fellowship

Kansas Future Fellows are public and private cross-sector leaders with vision, tools, and a commitment to stretch in their approach to our collective work.

Fellows regularly gather as a cohort to develop new skills and share insights that promote community connections.

Innovation Lab 1: Defining Futures Thinking and Expressing a Collective Vision

November 13-14, 2023*

Spark Session January 18, 2024 11:00 AM-Noon

Innovation Lab 2: Expanding Capacity Through Participatory Visioning and Coalition Development

February 19-20, 2024*

Spark Session April 18, 2024 11:00 AM-Noon

Spark Session July 18, 2024 11:00 AM-Noon

Innovation Lab 3: Communicating Social Innovation via a Network of Hope – a Transformational Plan August 26-27, 2024*

All Fellows Innovation Forum: 10-Year Transformational Plan + Civic Foresight Project Advancement, October M/Tu dates TBD

*Day one of each lab begins at noon, including dinner together; day two runs 8:00 AM-2:00 PM.

2023-2024 Kansas Future Fellows

2023-2024
Sara is smiling, wearing a brown top and a gold necklace.

Sara Arnberger

President
Great Bend Economic Development, Inc.
Jay is smiling, wearing glasses and a blue dress jacket over a light colored shirt.

Jay Bohanan

Senior Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Specialist
GEHA
Shalese poses in front of a purple backdrop. She is smiling, wearing glasses, large hoop earrings, and a grey cardigan.

Shalese Clay

Owner
Thirty Eight Solution, LLC

Future Fellows Continued

Ashley smiles in front of an off-white background, wearing a black blazer over a pleated white shirt.

Ashley Comeau

Attorney
Jeter Turner Sook Baxter, LLP
Laura is smilng, wearing a black top with a bright colored floral design.

Laura Evins

District Early Childhood Coordinator
USD 252 Southern Lyon County
Kari smiles, wearing a bright maroon blazer over a blue floral shirt.

Kari Mailloux

Director of Strategic Initiatives
Hutchinson Community Foundation
Ayaan stands smiling outside on a tree-lined street, wearing a black suit and blue tie.

Ayaan Parikh

Founder and Executive Director
Medic All

Future Fellows Continued

Kate in black and white, smiling at the camera wearing a black top, necklaces and a nosering.

Kate Van Steenhuyse

Assistant Director
Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission
Derek stands outside with trees in the background, wearing a blue blazer, light blue shirt and a purple patterned tie.

Derek Ramos

Assistant City Manager
City of Garden City
Fred, with a shaved head and gray goatee, wears glasses, a black suit and red tie.

Fred Van Ranken

Superintendent
Newton Public Schools USD 373
KU Center for Public Partnerships and Research

2022-2023 Kansas Future Fellows

Jennifer has light brown hair pulled back, wearing a blue shirt with a gray cardigan standing in front of a green background

Jennifer Adhima

Executive Director
Kansas Head Start Association
Seth is smiling directly into the camera wearing a blue suit with a plaid tie

Seth Carter

President
Colby Community College
Ernestor is smiling and wearing a gray suit with a yellow tie

Ernestor De La Rosa

Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer
City of Topeka
Jennifer is standing outside with brown hair and wearing a jacket embroidered with company name

Jennifer Hale

Operations Manager
Midwest Native Coalition for Justice and Peace

Future Fellows Continued

Valerie has long dark wavy hair, glasses and is wearing a coral top

Valerie Ohlrogge

Patient Resource Director
Citizens Health
Elizabeth has dark wavy hair is wearing a tan sweater and is standing outside

Elizabeth Ramirez

Community Animator Network Program Director
Neighboring Movement
David has dark hair and a beard is wearing a white collared shirt and is in front of a bright yellow background

David Sotelo

Human Relations Officer
City of Hutchinson
Logan has brown hair and a beard is wearing glasses and is standing in front of a brick wall

Logan C Stenseng

Policy & Strategic Initiatives Coordinator
Thrive Allen County

Future Fellows Continued

Leah has short brown hair is wearing glasses and wearing a red top in front of a beige background

Leah Wisdom

Director of Instruction and Professional Development
USD 497
Mike has dark hair and a gray beard is wearing glasses and formal police uniform in front of an American and Kansas flag

Mike Yoder

Lieutenant of Investigations
Newton Police Department
KU Center for Public Partnerships and Research
All in for Kansas Kids

2021-2022 Kansas Future Fellows

Inaugural Cohort
CPPR’s unique program provides opportunities for statewide change around issues affecting children and their families.
News Release
Craig has dark hair in a dark suit with a yellow tie

Craig Correll

Superintendent
USD 445 Coffeyville
Tatiana is wearing glasses and a yellow sweater

Tatiana Darby

Public Health Practice Researcher
University of Kansas Medical Center
Lona has long blonde hair and is wearing a gray suit

Lona DuVall

President/CEO
Finney County Economic Development Corporation

Future Fellows Continued

Jason has red hair, a beard, and is wearing glasses and a navy suit

Jason Gant

Lead Director, KiDSCOR Children & Family Ministry
Church of the Resurrection
Lynnette has long brown hair and is in front of a background of sunflowers

Lynnette Keo

Program Supervisor
Native Connections Program, Kickapoo Tribe
Jennifer has long black hair and is wearing a black suit

Jennifer Keomany

Department Manager, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology
University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita
Britany has medium length dark hair and is wearing a black jacket

Britany Lemon

Mental Health and Disabilities Specialist
Child Start

Future Fellows Last

Marci has short gray hair and is wearing glasses and a black shirt

Marci Penner

Executive Director
Kansas Sampler Foundation
Travis has short brown hair and is wearing glasses and a navy suit

Travis Rickford

Executive Director
Livewell Northwest Kansas
Tabatha has long brown hair and is wearing a black suit with floral top

Tabatha Rosproy

Early Childhood Support Teacher
Harmony Early Childhood Center, USD 233, 2020 National Teacher of the Year
Johnathan has short dark hair and is wearing a navy suit with a pink bow tie

Johnathan Sublet

Lead Pastor | Chairman
Fellowship Hi-Crest Church | SENT Inc.