The Leadership Northwest Missouri Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Ginny Vernon and the late Jack Vernon of Fairfax, Missouri, for their joint service to Northwest Missouri.
Atchison County residents Jennie Thomson (CH-F) and Stephanie True (ACDC) and Holt County resident Brooke Anderson (CH-F) were among the 21 people who were a part of the Leadership Northwest Missouri Class of 2025. (Submitted photos)
Leadership Northwest Missouri (LNWMO) recently held its 2025 graduation celebration in St. Joseph at the Stoney Creek Event Center. The evening began with a welcome by Olivia Burchett, LNWMO Graduation Committee Chair and 2024 LNWMO alum. Brooke Anderson, Class of 2025, gave the invocation prior to dinner. Bubba Miller and Mike Hill, members of the Class of 2025, reflected on their class year sharing memorable moments, followed by a class video presentation created by Cheyenne Graff, Class of 2025. Dr. Tim Crowley shared uplifting leadership thoughts to all in attendance. Matt Barry, Board President and 2022 LNWMO alum, thanked all program sponsors-affiliate: Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri; Platinum: BTC Bank; Gold: Altec and Farmers State Bank; Silver: Carroll County Memorial Hospital, Hedrick Medical Center/Wright Memorial Hospital, Mosaic Health System, North Central Missouri College and Northwest Missouri State University, US Bank; Bronze: Nodaway Valley Bank and St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce.
Kendra Pickering, Executive Director and 2022 LNWMO alum, recognized retiring board members: Matt Barry, Gladstone; Melissa Birdsell, St. Joseph; and Lesley Delaney, Carrollton. LNWMO is honored to welcome new board members: Brooke Anderson, Mound City; Rachel Brown, Grant City; Brittney Siddens, Albany; and Jordan Wright, Carrollton.
Crystal Narr, 2011 LNWMO alum, presented the Leadership Northwest Missouri Citizenship Award for 2025 to Edward Douglas, presiding commissioner of Livingston County. A former bank president, Ed has not only led with integrity in the business world, but also turned his attention toward empowering others to reach their potential. His self-help and motivational books, workshops, and community seminars are filled with actionable guidance and heartfelt encouragement that strengthen self-esteem and challenge people to be their best selves. Ed embodies civic responsibility and models what it means to be an engaged, informed citizen. He frequently speaks to youth and civic groups about government, leadership, and public service, helping to develop responsible and knowledgeable citizens.
The Leadership Northwest Missouri Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Ginny and the late Jack Vernon of Fairfax, Missouri, for their joint service to Northwest Missouri by Kent Fisher, Class of 2002 alum. Jack (Class of 2001) and Ginny (Class of 2007) are beloved members of the Leadership Northwest Missouri family and a shining example of servant leadership. Jack was part of the inaugural class of LNWMO in 2001 and continued to give back in remarkable ways—most notably through the annual golf tournament they organized for years, generously donating all proceeds to support the mission and future leaders. Jack lived his life with a deep sense of purpose, community pride, and unwavering commitment to service. From his military service aboard the USS Henderson to his lifelong involvement in civic and fraternal organizations, Jack embodied what it means to lead with both heart and humility.
Matt Barry presented each of the 21 graduating class members certificates for completing the program. Graduates from the 2025 class, “The Silver Linings,” represented the following 14 counties: Madalyn Kapp, An-drew County; Jenny Thomson and Stephanie True, Atchison County; Shadow Evans, Lori Generaux, Bubba Miller, and LaTonya Williams, Buchanan County; Shelbie Alexander and Ashley Pittman, Carroll County; Heather Miller-Ansley, Clinton County; Brooke Johnson, Daviess and DeKalb County; Brittney Siddens, Gentry County; Mike Hill, Harrison County; Brooke Anderson and Shane Anderson, Holt County; Cheyenne Graff, Linn County; Morgan Jones, Livingston County; Kaley Coulter, Heather Hays, and Kim Surprise, Nodaway County; and Sharon Paxson, Worth County.
The Graduation Planning Committee from the Class of 2024 included Olivia Burchett, Carolynn Sollars, Shelby Wood, Sarah Battreall, Jeff Agnew, and Ethan Piveral.
Leadership Northwest Mis-souri is a leadership development program designed to bring together participants from throughout a 19-county region to build, strengthen and inspire leaders through training and networking experiences. This class began in January and continued through July with monthly sessions in various Northwest Missouri communities. Classes during the 2025 class year were held in Conception, Trenton, Cameron, Carrollton, Maryville, Marceline, and Hamilton. Each session contained instruction on various leadership skills, examination of various issues facing the region and hands-on exercises. In addition to education, other regional issues that were addressed included agriculture, team empowerment, healthcare, mental health, and economic development.
