Women & Money is hosted by the Kansas Financial Empowerment Foundation and the Kansas State Treasurer. This
daylong conference is dedicated to empowering and educating women interested in unlocking their
financial future. Whether you're looking to save more, get out of debt, or even start your own
business, this event has something for everyone.
Admission is complimentary for all attendees. Seats are limited and will be
allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Register today to secure your spot.
Why Financial Empowerment?
Consumer debt is at an all time high of $17.3 trillion- $4.6 trillion higher
than the $12.7 trillion peak reached in 2008 during the Global Financial Crisis.
Student loan debt reached a staggering $1.77 trillion in 2023 and is continuing
to grow, impacting young American’s ability to purchase a home and start a
family.
According to Experian, the average credit card debt in America grew to $6,501 in
2023, a 10% increase from 2022.
In fall 2022, around 75% of Americans reported to have some savings for
retirement, but 28% reported having none. In 2023, a survey was completed
finding that 31% of workers experienced moderate to significant financial
instability and ended up taking money out of their retirement to pay for short-
term expenses.
More than one-third of Americans have less than $5,000 saved up for emergencies,
with 25% of those having no emergency savings at all.
Why Financial Empowerment?
Consumer debt
is at an all time high of $17.3 trillion-
$4.6 trillion higher
than the $12.7 trillion peak reached in 2008 during the Global Financial Crisis.Student loan debt
reached a staggering $1.77 trillion
in 2023 and is continuing
to grow, impacting young American’s ability to purchase a home and start a
family.
According to Experian, the average credit card debt in America grew to $6,501 in
2023, a 10% increase from 2022.
In fall 2022, around 75% of Americans reported to have some savings for
retirement, but 28% reported having none. In 2023, a survey was completed
finding that 31% of workers experienced moderate to significant financial
instability and ended up taking money out of their retirement to pay for short-
term expenses.More than one-third of
Americans have less than $5,000 saved up for emergencies,
with 25% of those having no emergency savings at all.
As of 2023, 59% of the workforce is comprised of women, with 30% being their
family’s primary breadwinner.
Women dominate higher education, earning the majority of post-secondary degrees
in the United States- and have higher amounts of student loans with higher
monthly payments.
Over 15.5 million women lived in poverty in 2022.
Women live longer than men on average, requiring the need to plan for a longer
retirement.
Generally, women prefer to learn about money in groups with other women.
By 2030, roughly two-thirds of the private wealth in the U.S. will be held by
women.
Registration / Vendor Visits / Breakfast
Welcome from our Emcee Loren Halifax, Fox 4 Kansas City
From Surviving to Thriving: Building Your Financial Freedom
Keynote Speaker: Candy Valentino
Track 1: Saving Through the Decades
Track 2: Launch Your Dream: Practical Steps for Starting Your Own Business
Lunch Buffett / Vendor Visits
Lunch Panel of Experts – Building Your Financial Legacy
Track 1: Preserving Your Future
Track 2: Smart Money Kids: Setting Your Family up for Financial Success
Closing Speaker: Brandi Spurling
Event Wrap Up / Survey / Giveaways
Last Chance for Vendor Visits and Networking
Kim Borchers is a thought leader in the realm of talent
acquisition and leadership development, serving as the President and owner
of Bird Dog Recruitment and Consulting LLC. Her firm stands at the forefront
of placing C-suite talent within the highest echelons of state and federal
government, specializing in comprehensive management development
initiatives.
Before establishing her firm, Kim held pivotal roles in various esteemed
organizations. She was the Executive Director of Leadership Development
at the Foundation for Government Accountability, spearheading the
groundbreaking Talent Bank Project. Kim's expertise was further honed
during her tenure as Deputy Chief of Staff for the administration of
Kansas Governor Sam Brownback. She played instrumental roles as Director
of Appointments for Boards and Commissions, as well as Director of
Personnel for Governor-elect Brownback's transition team.
Kim Borchers is a thought leader in the realm of talent
acquisition and leadership development, serving as the President and owner
of Bird Dog Recruitment and Consulting LLC. Her firm stands at the forefront
of placing C-suite talent within the highest echelons of state and federal
government, specializing in comprehensive management development
initiatives.
Before establishing her firm, Kim held pivotal roles in various esteemed
organizations. She was the Executive Director of Leadership Development
at the Foundation for Government Accountability, spearheading the
groundbreaking Talent Bank Project. Kim's expertise was further honed
during her tenure as Deputy Chief of Staff for the administration of
Kansas Governor Sam Brownback. She played instrumental roles as Director
of Appointments for Boards and Commissions, as well as Director of
Personnel for Governor-elect Brownback's transition team.
Kim's journey towards excellence began with academic prowess, earning a
degree in Human Biology from the University of Kansas. Her early
professional endeavors unfolded in the healthcare sector, notably with
TAP Pharmaceuticals. Simultaneously, she ventured into the realm of
broadcasting, hosting the esteemed radio talk show "News You Need to
Know" on KMAJ 1440 AM.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Kim is deeply involved in various
civic and philanthropic endeavors. She proudly serves as the Kansas
Republican National Committeewoman for the RNC and holds directorial
positions at Kansas Delta Dental and the Eisenhower in Public Service
Series. Additionally, she contributes her expertise as a board member
for the Topeka Women's Fund, Cair Paravel Latin School, and the
transformative Project 2 Restore, dedicated to supporting women rescued
from sex trafficking.
Kim's personal life is characterized by a steadfast partnership with her
husband, Dr. Tim, spanning 29 years. Together, they reside in Topeka,
KS, where they cherish their roles as parents to three accomplished
children, a beloved son-in-law, and a cherished granddaughter. Kim's
multifaceted commitment to professional excellence, civic engagement,
and family values exemplifies her as a true leader in her community and
beyond.
Emily Cullinan is a Relationship Manager on the National
Accounts team at American Century Investments. In this role, she is
responsible for working with the State of Kansas to the assist in
managing the Kansas 529 Educational Savings Plans. She is also a
founding member and past board chair of the Accelerate Women’s Business
Resource Group.
Prior to joining American Century, she worked at Mariner Holdings, as a
member of their National Accounts team and AllianceBernstein where she
was a Product Manager for Global
Business Development. She began her career as a Financial Analyst at
Morgan Stanley.
Emily has previously served on the board for GenKC and is a member of the
Olathe Public Schools Foundation Women’s Giving Circle.
She resides in Lenexa, KS with her husband and three children. In her
free time, she enjoys reading and is a founding member of 3 Sisters Book
Club KC, an organization that focuses on supporting local reading
communities through public book clubs and other literary minded events.
Peggy J. Dunn is a lifelong resident of the Greater
Kansas City
area and a graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She served as
Mayor of Leawood, Kansas, from 1997 until her retirement in 2024.
Peggy is
currently involved with a number of civic and nonprofit organizations.
Some
of these include participating on the Governing Boards of the Kauffman
Center for the Performing Arts, Union Station Kansas City, the Hall
Family
Foundation, and Rockhurst University.
Peggy and her husband, Terry Dunn,
have four grown children and 14 grandchildren.
Payton Lacey is the Legislative Policy Director for
Kansas Speaker of the House, Dan Hawkins. In this role, she is responsible
for tracking, informing, and reporting to the Speaker and Caucus on vital
legislation that is traveling throughout the House and Senate. The
responsibility for handling important policy allows her to play this key
role in the People’s House.
Prior to joining the Kansas Speaker of the House’s office, she worked at
the
State of Kansas Treasurer’s Office, as a member of the executive staff
as
the Manager of Executive Affairs. There, she oversaw executive
operations
and affairs, was a member of the Treasurer’s Advisory Committee, and
played
a key role in launching the Women and Money project in 2023.
Payton Lacey is the Legislative Policy Director for
Kansas Speaker of the House, Dan Hawkins. In this role, she is responsible
for tracking, informing, and reporting to the Speaker and Caucus on vital
legislation that is traveling throughout the House and Senate. The
responsibility for handling important policy allows her to play this key
role in the People’s House.
Prior to joining the Kansas Speaker of the House’s office, she worked at
the
State of Kansas Treasurer’s Office, as a member of the executive staff
as
the Manager of Executive Affairs. There, she oversaw executive
operations
and affairs, was a member of the Treasurer’s Advisory Committee, and
played
a key role in launching the Women and Money project in 2023.
She began her state office career on senior staff as the Constituent
Relations Liaison for former Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt.
While in
this role, she also served as Chair of the Education and Outreach
Subcommittee on the Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Prevention
Council.
Payton resides outside of her hometown of Waverly, KS with her husband,
daughter, two dogs, and farm animals. In her free time, she enjoys
taking
care of the farm, coaching and playing volleyball, and spending time
with
her family and friends.
Anna Milbach is a Government Banking Relationship
Manager and Senior Vice President at U.S. Bank and has been with the bank
since 2013. Prior to joining U.S. Bank, Anna was with another large Bank for
seven years with roles in Business Banking and leadership positions. Anna
serves exclusively government clients throughout a few states in the
Midwest. Anna has a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting, Bachelor of Arts in
Business Administration, Master of Business Administration, and a Master of
Management all from the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota.
Anna currently serves on the Women Lead Change Board of Directors and is
on
the Steering Committee for Women United. Anna previously served on the
Rochester Art Center Board and Waypoint Services Board. She is
Leadership
Greater Rochester Alumni and Leadership for Five Seasons Alumni. She
also is
a Waypoint Tribute to Women Honoree, Iowa Women’s Foundation Ovation
Honoree
and has co-chaired U.S. Bank’s local United Way campaign.
Kathy Taylor grew up in Mahaska, Kansas, and graduated
from North Central High School. She received her undergraduate degree from
Kansas State University, and her law degree from the University of Kansas,
School of Law.
After working as in-house counsel in a community bank for 2 years, she
was hired by the Kansas Bankers Association to serve as Associate
General Counsel and then as General Counsel for a combined 35 years.
Kathy spends most of her time in government relations for the KBA as she
assists those efforts at the State and Federal levels. She also manages
the legal affairs of the KBA.
When not on duty for the KBA, you will find Kathy and her husband, Tony,
enjoying the outdoors.
Sara Hart Weir is the Executive Director of the Kansas
Developmental Disabilities Council and a Senior Advisor of ABLE today, an
initiative of the National Association of State Treasurers (NAST). Weir has
been working in the disability community for over two decades as a nonprofit
executive, disability activist and ABLE expert. She served as the President
& C.E.O. of the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), where during her
tenure, led the passage of the landmark, bipartisan Stephen Beck Jr.,
Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act in 2014 (P.L.113-295). The
legislation garnered the support of 85% of the entire US Congress. Weir also
supported a majority of the enactment of ABLE state laws, assisted with over
40 state ABLE plan launches as well as led four successful federal
improvements to the original ABLE Act.
Sara Hart Weir is the Executive Director of the Kansas
Developmental Disabilities Council and a Senior Advisor of ABLE today, an
initiative of the National Association of State Treasurers (NAST). Weir has
been working in the disability community for over two decades as a nonprofit
executive, disability activist and ABLE expert. She served as the President
& C.E.O. of the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), where during her
tenure, led the passage of the landmark, bipartisan Stephen Beck Jr.,
Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act in 2014 (P.L.113-295). The
legislation garnered the support of 85% of the entire US Congress. Weir also
supported a majority of the enactment of ABLE state laws, assisted with over
40 state ABLE plan launches as well as led four successful federal
improvements to the original ABLE Act.
Her passion, ignited by her late friend Kasey with Down syndrome,
continues to drive Weir to ensure people with disabilities have a seat
at the table, equity in the workplace and actively engaged in our
economy. Weir co-founded the U.S. Future of Work for People with
Disabilities Commission along side CEOs from Voya and SHRM, established
NDSS’ first-ever employment program and remains a leading voice to end
the discriminatory practice of sub-minimum wage.
Weir was also the primary runner up in for U.S. Congress in Kansas' Third
Congressional district in 2020. Weir serves on the Board of Directors
for 2-Gether International, Creative Spirit and Golden Scoop in her
hometown of Overland Park, Kansas.
Tuesday, October 15, 2024 8:00am-4:00pm | Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, KS (view in maps)
