About

Igniting potential across Kansas City since 2006

Who We Are

PREP-KC partners with 6 districts and 3 charters enrolling over 66,000 students across the Kansas City metropolitan area.

As a leading Missouri nonprofit, we represent the culturally rich, diverse, talented communities throughout the heart of Kansas City.

82% Students of Color
86% Low-Income Students
3,800 Annual HS Graduates
19/20 Lowest Income Zip Codes in MO
PREP-KC district map showing partner districts across Kansas City

Our Reach

21 high schools and 23 middle schools across Kansas City

We serve 19 of the 20 zip codes with the lowest median household incomes in Missouri — reaching the students and communities who need us most.


Our Mission

PREP-KC ignites potential by connecting educators and industry professionals to build meaningful career paths across Kansas City.

Our Vision

We envision a Kansas City where every student — regardless of zip code — has equitable access to real-world career experiences that prepare them for meaningful postsecondary success.


Our Team

Susan Wally

Susan Wally

President & CEO

Doug Elmer

Doug Elmer

Vice President

Beth McCarthy

Beth McCarthy

Director of Community & Industry Partnerships

Susan Engelmann

Susan Engelmann

Senior Design & Implementation Coach

Cecil Christwell

Cecil Christwell

Director of Teaching & Learning

Candace Villanueva Greer

Candace Villanueva Greer

Director of College & Career Experiences

Keva Gorman

Keva Gorman

Career Pathways Specialist

Jonathan Lane

Jonathan Lane

Technology Innovation Manager

Huey Ru Strauss

Huey Ru Strauss

Pathways to Tech Facilitator

Kristin Kush

Kristin Kush

Data & Evaluation Specialist

Emily Colebank

Emily Colebank

Data Science Teaching & Learning Coach

Jamie Provost

Jamie Provost

Data Science Teaching & Learning Coach

Lori Hewitt

Lori Hewitt

Launch Specialist

Yandell Toevs

Yandell Toevs

Teaching & Learning Coach

Andra Culp Warren

Andra Culp Warren

Executive Assistant & Office Manager

Linda Peterson

Linda Peterson

Program Assistant

Kristine Mayer

Kristine Mayer

Administrative Assistant


Our 2026 Funders

PREP-KC is grateful for the generous support of our funders who make our work possible.

Arvest Bank AT&T Bank of America Foundation Bank of America Neighborhood Builders BioNexus KC CBIZ Advisors Civic Council of Greater Kansas City Cohen Trust Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation George & Anne Murphy Charitable Fund Greater Kansas City Community Foundation Hall Family Foundation Hearst Foundations Hill's Pet Nutrition JE Dunn Construction Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association KCNSC Charitable Foundation (Honeywell) Opus Foundation Oracle Foundation Polsinelli Sherman Family Foundation Spotlight AR State Street Global Services T-Mobile, USA U.S. Department of Education EIR United Way of Greater Kansas City VanTrust Real Estate, LLC – Kansas City W.J. Brace Charitable Foundation