The Leadership Northwest Missouri Class of 2026 graduates include, from left to right: front row – Gabby Martin, Mindy Kelly, Cameron Mullock, Kimberly Meeker, and Shelby Beetsma; middle row – Michael Evans, Kelly Hulett, Rachel Peter, Ramsay Blair, Summer Reeves, Kim Brake, Mindie Stovall, Latha Varghese, Keifer Nemyer (and son, Oliver), and Matthew Stine; and back row – Scott Sullins, Brett Oertwig, and Jeremy Glenn. Not pictured are Christa Horne and Diane Williams. (Submitted photo)
Leadership Northwest Missouri (LNWMO) recently held its 2026 graduation ceremony in Jamesport, Missouri, at the Spillman Event Center. The celebration began with a welcome by Master of Ceremonies Madalyn Kapp, Chair of the Graduation Planning Committee, 2025 LNWMO alum, and LNWMO board member. Kim Brake, 2026 LNWMO graduate, blessed the group with an invocation prior to dinner. Mindie Stovall of the Class of 2026 reflected on the class year sharing memorable moments, followed by a video presentation created by Keifer Nemyer, Class of 2026. Dr. Tim Crowley shared uplifting leadership thoughts to all in attendance. Rachel Brown, Board President and 2024 LNWMO alum, presented a token of appreciation to program sponsors-affiliates and Rachel Brown recognized retiring board members.
Ramsay Blair, Class of 2026 graduate and recently appointed board member, presented the Leadership Northwest Missouri Citizenship Award for 2026 to Marla Heeler, owner of The Dance Arts Center in St. Joseph, Missouri. Marla has dedicated her life to empowering children and strengthening her community through mentorship and service. She created an adaptive dance program for children with disabilities and created an annual fundraising event that has raised over $160,000 to support Voices of Courage Child Advocacy Center in St. Joseph over the last 20 years.
Rachel Brown presented each of the 20 graduating class members a certificate for completing the program. Graduates from the 2026 class, “The Lead Without Limits Class,” and the Northwest Missouri counties they represented included: Andrew County – Ramsay Blair; Atchison County – Kim Brake, Keifer Nemyer, and Summer Reeves; Buchanan County – Michael Evans, Jeremy Glenn, Matthew Stine, and Latha Varghese; Caldwell County – Christa Horne; Carroll County – Mindy Kelly and Mindie Stovall; Daviess County – Kelly Hulett; Grundy County – Kimberly Meeker; Harrison County – Diane Williams; Holt County – Scott Sullins; Livingston County – Shelby Beetsma and Brett Oertwig; and Nodaway County – Gabby Martin, Cameron Mullock, and Rachel Peter.
Leadership Northwest Missouri 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 June with monthly sessions in various Northwest Missouri communities. Classes during the 2026 class year were held in Conception, Chillicothe, St. Joseph, Brookfield, Maryville, Rock Port, and Bethany, Missouri. Each session contained instruction on various leadership skills, in-depth examination of various issues facing the region and hands-on exercises. In addition to entrepreneurship, other regional issues that were addressed included healthcare, community revitalization, agriculture, and mental health opportunities.
For additional information, contact Kendra Pickering-Clements, Executive Director, leadershipnorthwestmissouri@gmail.com.
