In honor of Women's History Month, please join Metropolitan Community College Foundation and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion this spring for the She Is: Empowered by Equity Luncheon.
The luncheon is held in odd years only. Please check back for 2025 event details.
Luncheon attendees will hear from a distinguished panel of women who are passionate about supporting and empowering other women, leading with purpose, and are purposeful in their pursuits of equity.
The panel will explore personal insights and lived experiences with bias in male-dominated fields and strategies for equity in these professions. Furthermore, the panel will discuss leadership skills needed to manage in these spaces as well as development of a pipeline of future women leaders.
Sponsorship proceeds will support scholarships for women who enter male-dominated fields or professions.
2023 Panelists
Panel Moderator: LAUREN CONAWAY, InnovateHER KC, President/CEO
Ms. Conaway is a detail-oriented, efficiency-driven leader with diverse experience in operations, marketing and program management with a deep commitment to building strong, equitable ecosystems of support for entrepreneurs and women leaders.
VALERIE McCAW, PE, CFM, ENV SP, VSM, President/Civil Engineer
Born and raised in Kansas City, Valerie McCaw graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Master of Science Degree in Civil Engineering. With more than 20 years in the public and professional services industries, Ms. McCaw has performed in varying capacities from lead engineer to principal designer and project manager.
MAJOR MARISA BARNES, Kansas City Missouri Police Department, Metro Patrol Division Commander
Major Barnes attended Tuskegee University then earned a Master’s Degree of Social Work from the University of Kansas. Major Barnes has served in several positions at the Kansas City Missouri Police Department since 2003. In 2006 Barnes became the first-ever female physical training/defensive tactics instructor at the department’s Regional Police Academy.
LANA THORPE, Hollis + Miller Architects, Senior Learning Environments Architect/AIA, NCARB, LEED Green Associate
Lana is a Senior Architect with Hollis + Miller Architects and has worked in the industry for more than 10 years. She holds a Master’s Degree in Architecture, is an active member of the Kansas State University Professional Advisory Board for the
Department of Architecture, and proud working mom of four boys.
MCC Women in Action
The Barbara Anne Washington Women Making History Award
To honor MCC Board of Trustees Member and Missouri State Senator (9th District) Barbara Anne Washington, MCC and the She Is... planning committee have established an award bearing her name to be given at each year’s She Is women’s luncheon.
Ellen Forrest Martin Day at MCC
In recognition of MCC Board of Trustees Member Ellen Forrest Martin, MCC and the She Is planning committee are establishing a day named in her honor to be held each March. On Ellen Forrest Martin Day, a selected student will shadow a female mentor who is excelling in a traditionally male-dominated career field.
2023 Sponsors
Future level sponsor
Next Gen level sponsor
Sandra Price
Rise level sponsor
