Innovative leader wins Kauffman’s $75K prize: KC is stronger when it rallies together, school founder says
September 24, 2026 | Tommy Felts
Tysie McDowell, founding superintendent of Crossroads Charter Schools, accepts the Kauffman Uncommon Leader Visionary Award from Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace, president and CEO of the Kauffman Foundation; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
Accepting the first-ever Kauffman Uncommon Leader Visionary Award, Tysie McDowell pointed to the team who helped her build Crossroads Charter Schools — and challenged those gathered in celebration of her Thursday to create legacies of their own.
Attendees gather during an award ceremony at The Oliver in Kansas City’s West Bottoms to reveal the 2026 Kauffman Uncommon Leader Visionary Award; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
“Let this moment serve as an inspiration to all of us, to continue showing up and helping each other, and see the boundless potential of Kansas City,” she told a crowd of nonprofit and community leaders at a Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation reveal event in the West Bottoms.
McDowell, founding superintendent of Crossroads Charter Schools, earned a $75,000 individual prize as the Visionary Award winner. Her nonprofit was awarded an additional $150,000.
She was one of six finalists — executive nonprofit leaders whose work has created lasting impact across the region — selected from more than 125 community nominations. All finalists received $10,000 individually, with an additional $15,000 awarded to their organizations by the Kauffman Foundation.
Click here to read more about the six finalists.
Finalists for the 2026 Kauffman Uncommon Leader Visionary Award: Heidi Wooten, president and CEO, Safehome; Brennan Crawford, executive director and CEO, Build Wyco; Tysie McDowell, co-founder and superintendent, Crossroads Charter Schools; Kar Woo, founder and program director, Artists Helping the Homeless; Alana Henry, executive director, Ivanhoe Neighborhood Association; and Micheal Lawrence, CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of KC; photo courtesy of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
Tysie McDowell, founding superintendent of Crossroads Charter Schools, pauses for a moment of reflection on stage after being honored with the Kauffman Uncommon Leader Visionary Award; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
“For decades, this foundation has been the backbone of innovation and opportunity here in Kansas City,” McDowell said, lauding the support of Kauffman teams through the years, “investing in our people, our schools, and our neighborhoods to make our community a world-class place to live.”
McDowell co-founded Crossroads Charter Schools in 2012 with a vision for high-quality public education in Kansas City’s urban core. What began as one school serving fewer than 200 students has grown into three tuition-free public charter schools serving more than 1,100 students and families.
“Kansas City is stronger when the entire community rallies around schools because our students are our next generation of leaders in the city,” McDowell said in a video shown during Thursday’s event. “If Crossroads School is still creating students who graduate with the skill set that they need, and they know that there is a place in the world for them, I think that would be a great legacy.”
Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace, president and CEO of the Kauffman Foundation, smiles while introducing finalists for the 2026 Kauffman Uncommon Leader Visionary Award; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
Turning vision into action
The Uncommon Leader Visionary Award is meant to recognize executive leaders whose work aligns with the Kauffman Foundation’s strategic priorities and exemplifies the visionary leadership of founder Ewing Marion Kauffman through innovative, generous and meaningful work in the community, the organization said.
A video featuring Ewing Marion Kauffman plays before the announcement of the Kauffman Uncommon Leader Visionary Award; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
It follows the previously announced Uncommon Leader Impact Award, which honors non-executive employees at 501(c)(3) public charities who drive meaningful impact.
“With the launch of this family of awards, we reflected on Mr. Kauffman’s deeply held belief in the potential of people,” said Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace, president and CEO of the Kauffman Foundation. “He understood that opportunity grows when leaders pair vision with action, and build something that can serve others again and again.”
“That spirit is the heart of this award — honoring leaders whose work expands economic mobility, strengthens organizations and communities, and creates lasting results,” she continued. “Their leadership is visible not only in what they accomplish but also in the people that they support.”
A bucket of juice bottles from Ruby Jean’s Juicery bear the faces of finalists for the 2026 Kauffman Uncommon Leader Visionary Award; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
Finalists’ contributions reflect a central idea behind the Uncommon Leader Awards, Burns-Wallace said: Uncommon leadership is measured not simply by individual achievement, but by the opportunities, partnerships and systems leaders build that allow impact to continue.
“Their work reaches neighborhoods, families, young people, students, people moving beyond homelessness, survivors rebuilding lives and safety,” she said. “Each finalist has turned vision into sustained action, building strong organizations, and opening pathways for others.”
McDowell specifically has done just that through her leadership at Crossroads Charter Schools and collaboration across Kansas City’s education system, Burns-Wallace said, noting the organization’s innovative approach to expanding opportunities created change that will endure well beyond McDowell’s own leadership.
The award winner refused to stand in the spotlight alone.
McDowell lauded the contributions of two team members, Frances Christian and Nikki Bates — whose work at the school traces back to 2012 — “For your relentless dedication, your faith in our mission during those early days when we really didn’t know what we were doing, and for continuing to show up for our kids.”
“Building something from scratch takes a village,” she continued, thanking family, friends and colleagues, “And they have been my rock this entire time.”
Wearing a personal legacy
In addition to the prize money, McDowell was presented with a specially-crafted suit jacket Thursday — mimicking the style of the late Ewing Kauffman, well-known simply as “Mr. K.”
“In this lighthearted way, the jacket represents a personal connection to the man behind the foundation, and the legacy he created,” Burns-Wallace explained.
The Kauffman Foundation’s namesake was honored throughout the award event, with the organization’s current leader joined on stage by a former Kauffman executive who worked directly under Mr. K in the 1990s.
“Mr. K was an uncommon leader, but he had an uncommon touch. And that touch extended from the factory floor to the boardroom doors that he entered,” said Lou Smith, who served as president and CEO of the Kauffman Foundation, leading the organization from 1995 to 2002.
“Mr. K was an entrepreneur. He was a major league baseball owner. He was a philanthropist who cared deeply about people, community, and giving back to society,” Smith continued. “Rarely has an individual left such a lasting impact on so many for so long.”
Lou Smith, former president and CEO of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, shares recollections about Mr. K, offering context behind the founder’s vision during a reveal ceremony for the Kauffman Uncommon Leader Visionary Award; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
Smith first sat down with Kauffman in 1989 after the former returned to Kansas City amid a successful career with AlliedSignal, he recalled. The two met for more than an hour, discussing their childhood and families — everything except his career, said Smith, who knew he was being vetted by Kauffman for a board position at the foundation.
“We even talked about baseball,” he said. “But what occurred to me is that in that time with Mr. K, he did not ask me a single question about the business I was leading. He knew I could lead a big business.”
Instead, Smith noted, Kauffman was attempting to see if their values and beliefs aligned — whether he could count on Smith to be a steady hand at the foundation, honoring his legacy.
“What I took from that meeting many years ago, was ‘Make sure you know who people are, not just what they do for a living,’” he said.
A finalists gallery in the entryway of The Oliver displays personal items providing insights into the lives of contenders for the first-ever Kauffman Uncommon Leader Visionary Award; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
Displays set up at the entry to Thursday’s award reveal showcased the humans behind the finalist nonprofit leaders. Mock desks were adorned with personal items that reflected more than just their work, but their individual personalities — the driving forces behind the varied missions for which they earned recognition from the Kauffman Foundation.
“We really wanted to give you a glimpse into who these leaders are and what inspires them,” said Burns-Wallace.
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