WELCOME
I am energized by the opportunities emerging for Metropolitan Leadership Institute, Inc. to meet the current and evolving needs of our community. Our collaborations allow us to make a larger community impact.
We are proudly supporting education at various levels - with Caring for Kids at the Lindbergh Elementary School, awarding scholarships through the Debutante Ball experience for high school juniors and seniors and providing monetary awards for Kansas City Kansas Community College women.
Metropolitan Leadership Institute, Inc. will continue to invest in the communities in which our members work and live. Thank those of you who have supported us through the Debutante Ball season and our past fundraising and program activities. We hope that we will continue to earn your support and others will join you and us as we host wellness programs and continue service in the community.
Norma McKelvy
Board Chairman
Board Members
Norma McKelvy - Chairman
My career included various financial positions and I retired from a position with a compliance focus on Health Information Privacy, System and Physical Security and Business Readiness and Resumption. I hold a BS in Accounting from Providence College and an MBA with emphasis in Human Resource Management. My current organizational leadership involvement includes President's Council Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Black Achievers Society of Greater KC, Soroptimist International, St James UMC Leadership Board and United Women in Faith.
Christina Jenkins - Vice Chairman
I am a financial professional with over 20 years experience currently working with the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City in Consumer Protection. I hold a B.A. degree from the University of Missouri - Kansas City, and a M.B.A. from the University of Kansas, Lawrence. I participate in Women in Technology and serve as a mentor as well as championing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives at the bank. My volunteer activities include serving as the Vice President and Program Chairman of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. - Mu Omega Chapter, KC Women in Technology, Lead to Read KC, FRB KC Community Habitat for Humanity, FRB KC Community Involvement Program and United Way Steering Committee Chairman
E. Jeanne Cosby - Recording Secretary
I recently retired from State Farm Insurance in Atlanta as a Learning Delivery Facilitator. I also worked as a.Claims Representative - Field Catastrophe Services was deployed across the county. Formerly I was a loan officer for several years. I hold a B.A in Biology from Harvard-Radcliffe University and Post-Baccalaureate Studies in Architecture - Univ of Florida. My insurance designations are CPCU, AIC, API. The organizations I am involved in are past president of Mu Omega Chater Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc among other positions, St. Paul's Episcopal Church- Atlanta, GA and CPCU Society- Atlanta Chapter.
Debra Johnson - Treasurer
I retired in 2017 as a Department Vice-President of Operations/Customer Service for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City managing approximately 180 customer service agents, their managers and technical staff. I have a Bachelor of Management degree from Baker University and an MBA from Avila University. I also completed course work for executive leadership and life skills coaching. Organizations I support are Church Women United- Kansas City Unit serving as the board secretary; Friendship Baptist Church Women's Missionary Union serving as Vice President-Enlistment Chairman; Member of the International Coaching Federation(ICF)- Heartland Chapter and a Member of the National Association of Parliamentarians.
Audrey Gardner - Correspondence Secretary
I currently work in the insurance industry as Property Claim Specialist. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Psychology. I am a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc - Mu Omega Chapter. I serve as the Board lead for the Asset Managment Committee and am continuously looking at locations in Kansas City, Kansas for our program location. I am in the Temple Keepers Axillary at New Generation Christian Church and I am very family oriented supporting various business ventures.
Kim Ford - Financial Secretary
I am a retired financial institution examiner with the Office of the Comptroller of Currency and was certified as a Commissioned National Bank Examiner. I hold a Bachelor degree in Business Administration from the University of Kansas. I’m associated with the following organizations: Oak Ridge Missionary Baptist Church where I serve as the chair of the Church Civic Action Committee Chair; Churches United for Justice (Wyandotte County) and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Mu Omega Chapter where I chair the Audit Committee.
Cheryl Carson. - Board Member
I am the owner of Cheryl H Carson, LLC- a consulting dietitian company for health care
facilities and I am a licensed registered dietitian. I hold a BS in Dietetics and a MS in Gerontology. I also hold a certificate in obesity and weight management and a Serv-Safe Food Protection Manager Certificate. I am a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Association, where I served for over 8 years on the Board in various positions. I have served as chairman of various committees as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
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Leatrice Singleton - Board Member
I am currently an Operations Manager for U.S. Bank working with Credit Card Fraud. In my spare time, I also work in the healthcare industry as a Certified / Licensed Massage Therapist. I hold a BS in Criminal Justice from Friends University, a MBA (emphasis in Human Resource Management & Operations) from the University of Saint Mary, and a certification of Massage Therapy Practitioner from WellSpring School of Allied Health. I am a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals.
Lani Stigler - Board Member
I am the Director of Network Operations for Mastercard in Kansas City, MO and hold a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a MBA from Webster University. My involvement in leadership, beyond work, spans from President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Mu Omega Chapter with a membership of over 200 women, to providing guidance in developing STEM skills through Girls4Tech, and being a member of the Disaster Acton Team mobilized by the American Red Cross.
Joycelyn Strickland-Egans - Board Member
I am a retired KCKPS educator having served as teacher and administrator.. I earned a BS in Education from Emporia State University and a Master of Multicultural Education Degree from Kansas State University. I serve as the National Education Association Building liaison: Board member and treasurer of Kansas City International Academy; and as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority Inc. I also serve as Director of Children's Work for the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church; Sunday School Superintendent of St. Peter C.M.E. Church; Founder of Praying Wives of Kansas City and a member of the Pierian Club. I am currently a librarian and a published author.
ABOUT US
The Metropolitan Leadership Institute, Inc. (MLI) was founded in 2011 by members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Mu Omega Chapter to operate as a separate and distinct 501(c)3 entity from the Sorority.