KC Chamber honorees renew commitment to diversity efforts out of conviction, not obligation
October 30, 2026 | Nikki Overfelt Chifalu
Jay Herron, a DEI partner at Henderson Companies, speaks during the 2026 KC Chamber POWER of Diversity luncheon; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
The world is a scary place right now, Jay Herron acknowledged, telling attendees of the KC Chamber’s POWER of Diversity Luncheon that it’s more important than ever not to back down from corporate and business initiatives built around strengthening inclusion for all.
“What I’ve always said when I started as a DEI partner at Henderson (Companies) is that we control our house,” he continued. “We control that through our programming. We control that through our education to our staff, if that’s about certain subjects such as bias. But most importantly, who we recruit and who we bring into our house is also important.”
“We’re going to continue to do this work and no one’s going to stop us from doing that,” Herron added. “So, everyone in this room, what I challenge you to do with your organizations: stand strong.”
Jay Herron, a DEI partner at Henderson Companies, accepts the Champion of Diversity award from past winner Stephanie Boyer, reStart Inc., at the KC Chamber’s POWER of Diversity Luncheon; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce awarded Henderson Companies (Henderson Engineers and Henderson Building Solutions) its 2026 Champion of Diversity award Wednesday during the 25th POWER of Diversity Luncheon. The event at Muehlebach — Marriott Downtown Hotel brought together the region’s diverse business community to celebrate leaders in diversity, equity and inclusion.
Dr. Kimberly Beatty, board chair-elect of the KC Chamber and chancellor and CEO of Metropolitan Community College, speaks during the 2026 KC Chamber POWER of Diversity luncheon; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
“In 2000, the Minority Business Alliance was formed to build connections and mentoring opportunities for entrepreneurs too often left outside of the established networks,” explained Dr. Kimberly Beatty, board chair-elect of the KC Chamber and chancellor and CEO of Metropolitan Community College. “That early commitment grew into programs, partnerships, and community and a community of leaders who understood something fundamental: when more people have access to opportunity, all of Kansas City becomes stronger.”
“So today we honor that history, celebrate this year’s extraordinary honorees, and renew our commitment to the next 25 years,” she added.
The Champion of Diversity Award recipients — including the nonprofit champion, Central Area Betterment Association — were recognized for their commitment to fostering opportunity, belonging, and community impact.
Edgar Galicia, executive director of the Central Area Betterment Association, accepts the nonprofit Champion of Diversity Award during the 2026 KC Chamber POWER of Diversity luncheon; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
Central Area Betterment Association’s mission is to improve the economic development, social environment, and quality of life along the Central Avenue corridor and the surrounding areas.
“This represents a lot for a 49-year-old organization that has always walked hand-in-hand with community,” noted Edgar Galicia, executive director. “Kansas City, Kansas, has been up and has gone down, and we have only two choices: we either let big money come in and build it back or we build it ourselves. And I’m asking everybody to help us to rebuild community from the ground up, from where it belongs to the people, for the people, by the people.”
Nonprofit community organizations are suffering today, he told the crowd, with challenges of all kinds.
“But you can make the difference: volunteering, donating, supporting, being part of it, sitting on their boards, and making sure the lower part of our community continue dreaming, continue hoping, and continue breaking the ceiling,” he added.
Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, gives a keynote speech during the 2026 KC Chamber POWER of Diversity luncheon; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
The event also included a keynote address by Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, who said the story of the Negro Leagues embodies the American spirit like no other story in the annals of American history. It is everything that America should be.
Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, gives a keynote speech during the 2026 KC Chamber POWER of Diversity luncheon; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
“The Negro Leagues didn’t care what color you were and they didn’t care what gender you were,” he explained. “Can you play? Do you have something to offer, folks? That is the way it is supposed to be.”
“We’re not there yet,” Kendrick continued. “And because we’re not there yet, doesn’t necessarily diminish its greatness, it just means that there is still work left to be done. The people in this room are doing that work.”
The next generation will be tasked with hitting the next round of milestones, he said.
It’s wonderful, Kendrick noted, that people now have a place like the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum — where they can gain a better understanding and appreciation for the true power of diversity, equity, and inclusion — to serve as a pillar toward building a bridge for tolerance and respect.
“That is where we are still trying to grow as a society,” Kendrick said. “That story comes to life through the eyes of these courageous, tremendously talented athletes who forged a glorious history in the midst of an inglorious time in American history, and as a result, they helped change the game and they helped change this country.”
Ace Award recipients
This award from the KC Chamber honors up-and-coming senior level managers who are advancing inclusive leadership.
2026 honorees include: Fabián Gayosso, director of community affairs for ReeceNichols Real Estate; Jill Hathaway, regional director of the Missouri Small Business Development Center at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and senior director for entrepreneurial education at the UMKC Innovation Center; and Trey Meyers, director of marketing and communications for the Missouri Restaurant Association and the Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association.
Fabián Gayosso, director of community affairs for ReeceNichols Real Estate
Gayosso leads work that centers on building platforms, driving economic inclusion, and connecting organizations with the communities they serve, according to the Chamber.
“Leadership isn’t about having authority over others or having all the answers,” Gayosso said. “It’s about making ourselves available. I see leadership as a responsibility to recognize potential and create intentional access.”
Since joining ReeceNichols in 2018, Gayosso has built the company’s Community Affairs function from the ground up, bringing together business, civic, and nonprofit leaders to expand reach and relevance across emerging markets.
“When it comes to DEI, community relations, welcoming and belonging — whatever language you choose to use — I see this work as you have two options,” he explained. “It’s either out of conviction or out of obligation. And I know that everyone in this room sees that or approaches it out of conviction, because you see the value, you see the impact, you see the relevance it makes. It’s strategic. You see this work as an investment, not an expense, and at the end of the day, you want your company to be more competitive.”
Jill Hathaway, regional director of the Missouri Small Business Development Center at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and senior director for entrepreneurial education at the UMKC Innovation Center
Hathaway’s team serves more than 1,000 small business owners and offers more than 130 training sessions each year, from idea to exit.
“I always thought that leadership was a place where you had to have all of the answers,” Hathaway acknowledged. “But when a leader is willing to be vulnerable, it allows others in the room and it gives them permission to be human, too. They stop performing, actually, and they start contributing.”
Hathaway’s vision led to Spanish-language training, coaching, and a learning academy. In the past two and a half years, the center has served more than 190 Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish-origin business owners with over $25 million in gross revenue and more than 470 jobs retained.
“This last cohort — our fully Spanish cohort — this past summer, the attendance was the most we have ever had in our growth program in the 11 years that I’ve been part of this organization,” she noted. “They brought in with them 35 businesses, not just 35 attendees. There were actually only 24 attendees with 35 different businesses and they represented 10 countries. That’s powerful.”
Trey Meyers, director of marketing and communications for the Missouri Restaurant Association and the Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association
Meyers works closely with restaurant owners, industry leaders, elected officials, and community partners to strengthen Missouri’s hospitality industry.
“One of the most important things that I learned is — in leadership — age doesn’t equal experience and a title doesn’t define someone’s ability to lead,” said the 26-year-old professional. “We need to be able to provide that access to others and be able to, not only support them, but empower other individuals that are like-minded, who want to do better for our city, and give them the platform, the opportunities to grow.”
Through his involvement with the Missouri Restaurant Association Education Foundation, Meyers supports culinary education, student scholarships, and initiatives that prepare the next generation of hospitality professionals.
“We’re not building Kansas City for the next generation of leaders,” he noted. “We should be building Kansas City with the next generation of leaders.”
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