Cultivate KC Welcomes New Board Members

In January, Cultivate KC welcomed three new members to the Board of Directors. New members (pictured in order) include Sherise Kirkwood, EDCKC, Program Administrator; Christine Sanders, Director of Business Graduate Programs, Central Methodist University, and Suzanne Gunning, Chief Marketing Officer, Fairwave Specialty Coffee Collective.

When asked why she was interested in serving on Cultivate KC’s Board of Directors, Sherise Kirkwood shared that, “[she] believes in the power of community to heal, grow, and thrive when people have access to fresh food, opportunity, and connection. Cultivate KC’s mission and values resonate deeply with me because it reflects values that guide both my professional work and calling – equity and stewardship of our neighborhoods.”

Suzanne Gunning, through her role with Fairwave, has a preexisting relationship with Cultivate KC. Suzanne helped CKC partner with Messenger Coffee and the KC Current on the Wake Up! It’s Match Day coffee blend. Ten percent of the proceeds of the sale of the blend benefit Cultivate KC’s mission. Gunning shared that she is excited to join the board because “Cultivate KC actually grows solutions. [CKC] is building a tangible, equitable food system through farming, education, and advocacy, and that approach is incredibly inspiring.”  

Christine Saunders has both an academic and personal interest in urban agriculture and food systems. “My life experience includes significant time in both urban and rural communities. I am originally from a small rural farm community…I have taught agribusiness students from diverse social, economic, and cultural backgrounds. I consider myself to be a rural-urban connectivity innovator,” shared Saunders when describing her background and experience.

We are honored that Cultivate KC will be the recipient of the collective knowledge and community engagement of these three new board members!