KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Women’s Foundation is proud to announce a joint appointment of two women to Kansas City commissions. Amanda Loughlin will serve on the Kansas City, Missouri, Historic Preservation Commission and Haley Bowman will serve on the Kansas City Youth Commission. Both Loughlin and Bowman were appointed by Kansas City Mayor Sly James, who has partnered with Women’s Foundation’s Appointments Project™ through his Women’s Empowerment Initiative (WE) in order to address the gender gap in city leadership positions.
Bowman and Loughlin will join at least 50 other women that have been appointed to state and local boards and commissions through Women’s Foundation Appointments Project™. Recently, at Women's Foundation's 25th Anniversary Celebration, Mayor James announced that women's representation on Kansas City boards and commissions had increased from approximately 33% to 42% since the Appointments Project™ launched three years ago.
"Haley will make an excellent addition to the KC Youth Commission, her demonstrated leadership and passion for education will truly be an asset to the commission," said Mayor Sly James. “Amanda brings years of experience and a true passion for preserving historical landmarks. Her talents will definitely enhance the Kansas City, Missouri Historic Preservation Commission.”
“Women’s Foundation is proud to support Haley and Amanda during their application process,” said Wendy Doyle, President and CEO of Women’s Foundation. “These talented women are eager to serve the community in order to make Kansas City a better place to live.”
Loughlin is a National Register Coordinator for the Kansas Historical Society. A native of Kansas City, Loughlin developed a love for buildings at an early age. She is a graduate of the Kansas State University’s School of Architecture and has her masters in Historic Preservation from University of Kentucky.
“I hope to use my passion for Kansas City and my training in preservation to maintain the historic integrity of this great town,” said Loughlin.
Amanda Loughlin
The Kansas City, Missouri, Historic Preservation Commission reviews exterior changes to properties recognized as local landmarks or within local historic districts.
Bowman is the Director of Development and manager of external affairs at KIPP KC. KIPP KC is a non-profit, college-preparatory charter school network located at the corner of 18th and Prospect.
She has a Juris Doctor from the University of Kansas School of Law and is a licensed attorney in the state of Missouri. Bowman is an avid sports fan and enjoys cheering on the Royals, Chiefs, Jayhawks, New York Rangers, and of course the KIPP KC Blue Jays.
“Women's Foundation's Appointment Project™ helps open doors for women. I can't wait to serve on the Kansas City Youth Commission,” said Bowman. “It will be an honor to help empower the voices of our Youth Commissioners as they provide critical input and perspective to local policymakers."
Haley Bowman
The KC Youth Commission provides participants in the planning and implementation of programs related to young people and evaluates the effectiveness of municipal youth programs and policies.
The Appointments Project™ is an initiative that aims to increase the number of women serving on local and statewide boards and commissions in Kansas and Missouri. After only three years, the Appointments Project™ has had more than 700 applicants and successfully placed 50 women on boards and commissions in Missouri and Kansas. The Appointments Project™ is statewide in Missouri and Kansas and in Kansas City, Springfield, St. Louis, St. Louis County and Jackson County, Missouri, as well as Olathe and Topeka, Kansas.
The Women’s Foundation promotes equity and opportunity for women of all ages, using research, philanthropy and policy solutions to make meaningful change. More information about the organization can be found at www.Womens-Foundation.org.