University of Kansas Public Management Center

11/06/2026

Congratulations to Douglas County Criminal Justice Coordinator Katy Fitzgerald on graduating from University of Kansas Public Management Center's Heartland Certified Public Manager program! 🎉

This nationally accredited program includes 300 hours of professional development and culminates in a capstone project. Outstanding achievement! ❤

11/06/2026

Great things happening in Lindsborg! 📍

Our Supervisory Leadership Training will wrap up another session this week — and the energy in the room was a reminder of why this program matters.

Supervisors rarely stop learning. Roles evolve. Workforces change. New research reshapes what effective management looks like. SLT is designed for exactly that moment when you're ready to level up. Over three days, participants gain new skills and strategies, then set a personal implementation goal before they leave. About a month later, the cohort reconnects for a 90-minute follow-up session — because what happens in the classroom should translate to real action.

Ready to invest in your supervisory skills? Three sessions remain in 2026; see those dates/locations in the comments and visit https://hubs.la/Q04l56s10 to learn more.

11/06/2026

09/06/2026

Congratulations to Adelle Runnebaum, Carrie Barr and Zach Carter on graduating from KU Public Management Center’s Emerging Leaders Academy! 🎉

Adelle and Zach serve in Douglas County Criminal Justice Services, and Carrie works in the Douglas County Treasurer’s Office.

The program prepares nonmanagerial staff for leadership roles in their departments and organizations. Great work! ❤️

KU School of Public Affairs and Administration The University of Kansas

08/06/2026

02/06/2026

📣Sponsorship opportunities are now open for the 2026 Inspiring Women in Public Administration Conference (IWPA) — and there's a spot at the table for your organization.

IWPA will take place on August 21 at the Overland Park Convention Center. We're expecting 200+ women in government and public service — city managers, agency directors, program administrators, and emerging leaders from across Kansas & Missouri.

Sponsoring IWPA puts your organization's name in front of this audience in a meaningful, mission-aligned way:

→ Logo placement on the conference website, event signage, and all marketing materials
→ Recognition throughout the conference program by KU PMC staff
→ Visibility across pre-event email and social media promotions
→ Options at every investment level — from $250 to $5,000

Our Champion sponsorship ($5,000 — only ONE available) offers named co-presentation of the conference alongside KU PMC, three registrations, premier logo placement, and the opportunity to deliver welcoming remarks to all attendees.

We're proud to have DeWitt Consultancy Partners and PorchLight Insights already on board as IWPA 2026 sponsors. If your organization is committed to investing in women's leadership in the public sector, we'd love to talk.

📩 Reach out to Sydney Bannister at [email protected] or explore the full sponsorship packet linked below to learn more. Know someone or an organization who would be a good sponsor? Send this post to them!

https://tinyurl.com/IWPA-2026-Sponsorship

19/05/2026

We are thrilled to be on both sides of the Kansas City Metro for our fall 2026 sessions of the Emerging Leaders Academy (ELA). We will be offering two in-person cohorts starting in August:

Olathe, KS - Hosted by Johnson County, KS Government
Kearney, MO - Hosted by Clay County, Missouri Government

In ELA, participants learn the qualities of great leaders, participate in coaching sessions with mentors, and develop personal leadership philosophies that they bring back to the workplace in the form of new ideas and a renewed sense of commitment.

Interested in ELA but farther away? Consider the online cohort!

Learn more about ELA and fall cohorts here: https://hubs.la/Q04h2VB10

League of Kansas Municipalities Mid-America Regional Council

18/05/2026

2026 Inspiring Women in Public Administration Conference Keynote Announcement✨Wendy Doyle, President & CEO of United WE✨

Wendy is a nationally recognized leader who has spent more than a decade at United WE turning research into real-world change—advancing women’s economic and civic participation and breaking down barriers that hold women back. Through her leadership, United WE has driven dozens of policy solutions, empowered thousands of leaders, and expanded opportunities for women and families across the Heartland and beyond.

At the heart of Wendy’s work is a simple but powerful truth: when women are seen, heard, and supported—our communities thrive.

That’s why Wendy is the perfect voice for our theme, Mattering. She has dedicated her career to ensuring women’s voices matter in policy, leadership, and the future of our regions—and her work proves the impact of making space for women to lead and be heard.

Join us as Wendy inspires us to step into our influence, amplify our impact, and remember - you matter. Register today: https://tinyurl.com/IWPA-2026

We are also looking for sponsors interested in supporting this impactful event, learn more here: https://tinyurl.com/IWPA-2026-Sponsorship



League of Kansas Municipalities Mid-America Regional Council Kansas Women Leading Government WSU Public Policy and Management Center

07/05/2026

✨ Registration is now open for the 2026 Inspiring Women in Public Administration (IWPA) Conference! ✨

Join us on August 21, 2026, at the Overland Park Convention Center for a day focused on connection, leadership, and empowerment under this year’s theme:

💙 *You matter at IWPA: Creating a community of empowered leaders.*

Whether you’re an emerging leader, seasoned professional, student, or advocate for public service, IWPA is a space to learn, connect, and be inspired alongside women making an impact across the public sector.

📍 Overland Park Convention Center
📅 August 21, 2026
🔗 Learn more: https://hubs.la/Q04fR6Tn0
📝 Register now: https://tinyurl.com/IWPA-2026

As we celebrate Public Service Recognition Week, we’re reminded that strong communities are built by dedicated public servants who lead with purpose, courage, and compassion. That’s exactly what IWPA is all about.