When Work Works Kicks Off in Kansas City

Kansas City, MO – Today, Women’s Foundation announced another Appointments Project success story as Mayor Sly James appointed Anita von Däniken to the Kansas City Climate Protection Plan Steering Committee. Women’s Foundation promoted von Däniken through their Appointments Project- KC, which has partnered with Mayor James to address the gender gap in city leadership positions.

“Women’s Foundation is thrilled to have provided support to Anita von Däniken through the Appointments Project.” said Wendy Doyle, President and CEO of Women’s Foundation. “We are thankful for our partnership with Mayor James which allows us to recommend qualified women like Anita for city boards and commissions.”

“Anita’s international experience with sustainability and communication will be a great asset to the Kansas City Climate Protection Plan Steering Committee,” Mayor Sly James said. “The city’s partnership with the Women’s Foundation continues to find highly qualified women for boards and commissions, further diversifying and enriching Kansas City leadership.”

Anita von Däniken earned a Master of Science in Human and Economic Geography and a Bachelor of Science in Geography from the University of Zurich. In addition to working as a teacher at the Secondary School Hochdorf, where she was promoted to the Head of the Departmental Committee of Science, von Däniken taught Geography and Methodologies of Geography at the University of Teacher Education in Lucerne. Anita possesses a strong commitment to environmental preservation and social justice. Through her extensive travel and fieldwork in Nepal and Senegal, she has seen first-hand the vulnerability of communities in less-developed countries regarding the challenges caused by global warming.

Von Däniken is honored by the appointment, saying that she hopes “to use her expertise to contribute to the reduction the ecological footprint of Kansas City” and looks forward to her new role in the Kansas City community.  

Women’s Foundation Appointments Project serves as a talent bank, advisor, and advocate for women seeking opportunities to lead and works to attract diverse applicants for appointed positions on boards and commissions. Women’s Foundation guides women through the process of applying for these positions.

Women’s Foundation has been working to promote more women to boards and commissions in Missouri and Kansas through the Appointments Project since its Kansas City launch in the spring of 2014.  The Appointments Project is currently active in helping recruit and train more women to serve on boards and commissions for the State of Missouri and Kansas, City of St. Louis, Olathe, and Kansas City, Missouri.

Women’s Foundation promotes equity and opportunity for of all ages, using philanthropy, research and policy solutions to make meaningful change.  More information about the organization can be found at www.Womens-Foundation.org.

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