Rebecca Gubbels promoted to top ECJC exec role after years shaping efforts to boost entrepreneurs 

A longtime entrepreneurship and banking advisor is advancing to the top leadership position at the Enterprise Center in Johnson County, succeeding Jeff Shackelford, who will retire as president and CEO by the end of the year.

“I’ve spent my career on every side of the desk, as a lender, a business owner and an advisor helping entrepreneurs figure out what to do next,” said Rebecca Gubbels, who joined ECJC in 2022 after a decade at the UMKC Small Business & Technology Development Center.

Rebecca Gubbels, incoming president and CEO for the Enterprise Center in Johnson County; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

“I’m pretty direct, I ask a lot of questions and I’m willing to challenge the status quo. But I also believe this work should be human and, whenever possible, fun,” she continued. “Entrepreneurs are doing incredibly hard things. ECJC should be the place they know they can come for straight answers, real expertise and people who will roll up their sleeves and help.”

ECJC is a nonprofit organization helping entrepreneurs fund, start and grow their businesses through education, business coaching, mentoring and connections to capital resources. It tailors its services to Johnson County business owners but makes help available to all in the Kansas City metropolitan area. 

Gubbels, who has served as COO for ECJC since July 1, 2026, brings more than two decades of experience in entrepreneurship, banking, business advising and program leadership. Her career has included SBA and commercial lending, more than a decade counseling entrepreneurs through the Missouri SBDC, leadership of ECJC’s Growth Mentoring Service, and work with technology startups through Digital Sandbox KC.

She is the architect of ECJC’s Kauffman-funded Loan Readiness Initiative and has been honored for her work with entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship education by the Associated Industries of Missouri, the Association of Small Business Development Centers and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. 

As CEO, Gubbels will lead a management team focused on helping entrepreneurs secure funding, launch businesses and drive growth. The team includes Delia Marin, director of the Kansas City Women’s Business Center, and Joel Barrett, director of mentorship and engagement. All three leaders have firsthand business ownership experience, and together they bring expertise in executive leadership, lending, business development and mentoring.

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In addition to stepping into Shackelford’s president and CEO roles, Gubbels will also take on the responsibilities previously held by Sherry Turner, vice president of operations, who retired earlier this year.

“I’ve known Rebecca for years and know the drive, attention to detail and ability to connect that she brings,” Shackelford said. “I’m proud to see her take the lead and excited for what’s next.”