Wolf21 touts role of women leaders in shaping the KC firm’s next phase of growth

The Kansas City construction firm behind a string of high-profile entertainment and office projects is designing a team where women aren’t confined to symbolic roles within a male-dominated industry, said Kelly Pfannenstiel, emphasizing the need for experienced women in architecture, engineering, and construction to shape strategy and operational foundation.

Hank’s Garage & Grill; photo by photo by Alyssa Broadus, courtesy of Wolf21

“We’re very intentional about how we grow,” said Pfannenstiel, who is responsible for preconstruction operations, marketing and business development for Wolf21. “It’s not just about taking on more work — it’s about building the right team, being involved earlier in the process, and creating clarity for our clients from Day 1.”

“A lot of issues in construction start long before a project hits the field, so we’re focused on getting ahead of that with strong planning and real strategy from the start,” she continued.

Wolf21 has been involved in a range of notable projects across the region, including Hank’s Garage & Grill, Jim’s Alley Bar, Stockyards, Varsity Club, National Advisors Trust Offices, the 14 W 3rd historic renovation, and SixTwentyOne Offices.

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The firm also continues to build on longstanding relationships with clients such as Michael Smith, Michael Corvino, and Fleet Fuels.

Click here to explore more of Wolf21’s project portfolio. 

Jim’s Alley Bar; photo by photo by Alyssa Broadus, courtesy of Wolf21

As the company continues to grow in project scale and operational sophistication, women leaders are playing a central role in defining how that growth happens, said Greg Vielhauer, founder of Wolf21. The firm specifically highlighted the efforts and experience of Pfannenstiel and two colleagues: Kandi Kos, business operations, and Brooke Schnurr, preconstruction manager.

Kos has been with Wolf21 since its inception and has been instrumental in building the operational backbone of the company, Vielhauer said. With more than 20 years in the AEC industry, her background includes leadership roles with firms such as Gould Evans, Hufft, HOK, and 360 Architecture. At Wolf21, she oversees business operations, financial infrastructure, and internal systems that support scalable, sustainable growth. 

Pfannenstiel joined Wolf21 in October 2024 and plays a key role in connecting front-end strategy with market growth, the company said. She oversees pre-construction operations, ensuring strong coordination from early planning through execution and helping establish clear project pathways before work begins in the field.

Schnurr has built a more-than-25-year career in leadership roles focused on preconstruction, business development and project strategy. She has overseen teams delivering commercial developments ranging from $1 million to more than $100 million, guiding projects through feasibility, budgeting, estimating and construction execution. 

She joined Wolf21 in February and now is expected to leverage her experience to strengthen preconstruction strategy, expand client partnerships, and support the firm’s continued growth in complex redevelopment and commercial projects, Vielhauer said. 

“Wolf21 has always been about building the right team and creating an environment where strong ideas and strong leadership can thrive,” he added. “Kandi, Kelly, and Brooke bring a depth of experience and perspective that strengthens every part of our business — from operations to strategy to the earliest phases of project planning. Their leadership is helping position Wolf21 for the next chapter of growth.”