Leaders from three IBW clients – ArtsKC, Charlotte Street Foundation and Guadalupe Centers – were recently recognized by Kansas City Business Journal in its “20 to Know” series, introducing readers to people they should get to know in key industries and categories.
KCBJ Editor Brian Kaberline and reporter Nicole Dolan list 20 people to know in nonprofits. For each, they provide an introduction and short explanation of why the person is included:
Amy Kligman
Executive/artistic director, Charlotte Street Foundation
Amid the pandemic, art prevailed as Kligman opened the doors to the nonprofit’s $10 million, 20,000-square-foot headquarters north of Kansas City’s Roanoke Park. The project, whose construction began in 2019, includes a black box theater, visual art gallery, dance rehearsal studio, recording and mixing studio, artist-in-residence studios, equipment workshop, a library and archive room. Kligman joined Charlotte Street in 2015, starting as a program director. Before the foundation, she worked a decade at Hallmark Cards Inc. as a creative strategist and was the co-founder of the Plug Projects gallery in the West Bottoms.
Dana Knapp
CEO, ArtsKC
Knapp is one of the region’s foremost advocates for the arts. Since 2016, she has led ArtsKC, which supports arts organizations throughout the metro area. The nonprofit gives grants to arts organizations, promotes artists and programs, and advocates for policies that strengthen and gain public and private support for the local arts. Before becoming CEO of ArtsKC, Knapp was the organization’s director of grants and programs. Her experience includes working at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art as an exhibition designer and director of planning, where she led the construction and renovation of the Bloch building.
Joe “Beto” Lopez
CEO, The Guadalupe Centers
Lopez has two quite different leadership roles. He was named as CEO of The Guadalupe Centers in November 2021, moving up from COO upon the retirement of Cris Medina. The nonprofit says it is the longest continuously operating agency serving Latinos in the U.S. It offers education for all ages, provides access to health and social services and sponsors a range of social events. Lopez also is on the Lee’s Summit City Council, serving as mayor pro tem. His professional experience includes time as a lender for CommunityAmerica Credit Union and Arvest Bank.
CONGRATS Dana Knapp – CEO of ArtsKC, Amy Kligman Executive/Artistic Director of Charlotte Street Foundation and Beto Lopez – CEO of Guadalupe Centers for their accomplishments and THANK YOU for your dedication to our KC Community!
