The 2025 KVC Manager Conference: Providing Unique Growth & Engagement Opportunities Across Our Organization
The 2025 KVC Manager Conference, Step up to the Plate, is just around the corner! This will be our 4th year hosting this all-day virtual learning opportunity for 550+ KVC managers and interested team members. Attendees experience connection with teammates, inspirational keynotes and breakout topics on best practice research, engagement, coaching, CliftonStrengths, wellbeing and belonging.
Renny Arensberg, Executive Vice President of Employee Engagement
Inspired Managers, Thriving Teams, Excellent Services
During this event, our managers acquire actionable steps to implement immediately to create top-tier environments for their teams. The conference sessions are strategically formed to cater to our teams and their unique needs. As a result, we have seen improvements in team performance, higher retention rates, and better service quality to clients.
At KVC, we deeply value manager development and accountability. Renny Arensberg, Executive Vice President of Employee Engagement explains, “Our objective is to transform potential into excellence, equipping our leaders with the skills and insights needed to elevate our organization from greatness to world-class achievement.”
“A hallmark of world-class organizations is a highly engaged workforce, where employees are motivated, committed, and aligned with the organization’s goals.”
— Renny Arensberg, Executive Vice President of Employee Engagement.
Molly Moody, Internal Communications Director
Boosting a Culture of Growth
The manager conference is built exclusively for our community of leaders at KVC. Which includes those who manage a team but also welcomes those who aspire to be great leaders. We are committed to providing resources for our team members, including professional development and advancement opportunities.
“KVC invests in our people by providing leadership and growth opportunities with the manager conference being just one core example of this.”
— Molly Moody, Internal Communications Director
At KVC, we believe that collaboration fuels our improvement and that our team members are our greatest asset. This is a fantastic opportunity for attendees to learn from the wealth of experience and knowledge we have internally.
Hear from KVC Team Members Who’ve Attended Our Annual Manager Conference
“This conference gave me the overwhelming feeling of being a part of such a large and incredible team and proud of the investment in our managers.”
“KVC values managers enough to devote an entire day to them, making me feel valued.”
“The Manager Conference affirms the importance of managing and coaching people, it acknowledges that it takes time, skill, and lots of caring.”
Full Conference Schedule
8:00–8:10am: Welcome to the KVC Manager Conference with Jason R. Hooper, President & CEO
Keynote Sessions:
Michelle Wimes, Children’s Mercy Kansas City
9:00–9:40am: Conscious Leadership: Empowering Stronger Teams Through Awareness, Growth, and Kindness with Michelle P. Wimes, JD, SVP, Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer, Children’s Mercy Kansas City
In today’s rapidly evolving healthcare environment, effective leadership goes beyond technical expertise and strategic vision. It requires leaders who are attuned to the needs of their teams, their patients, and themselves. This session explores the critical components of awareness, growth, and kindness in leadership. Attendees will gain insight into how self-awareness and empathy enhance decision-making, foster trust, and create an environment where individuals feel valued. By emphasizing continuous growth, both personally and professionally, leaders can inspire teams to innovate, collaborate, and achieve their full potential.
Lindsey Spehn, Gallup
11:00–11:45am: Gallup’s Latest Findings: Top Trends You Can Put to Work as a Manager with Lindsey Spehn, Senior Director and Global Courses Director, Gallup
Get an exclusive look at Gallup’s latest workplace data and learn what these findings mean for managers and leaders. In this session, you’ll gain practical, actionable insights and tools grounded in Gallup’s world-class research to advance your leadership and effectiveness as a manager.
Christina Santiago, KVC Health Systems
1:15–2:00pm: How to Be a KVC Ambassador in the Community with Christina Santiago, PR & Media Relations Director, KVC Health Systems
Everyone who works at KVC is an ambassador for KVC in the community. We want to empower you to be the best representative of your business unit as you possibly can be. In this 40-minute session, KVC’s PR and Media Relations Director Christina Santiago will go over what to discuss, what to avoid, and how to put your best foot forward if/when you ever speak publicly about your business unit.
Breakout Sessions:
8:15–8:45am: Brand Advocacy: Google Reviews and the Front Door Effect with Travis Cox, Director of Marketing & Communications, KVC Health Systems
First impressions matter, and for most people, their first impression of KVC Missouri comes from Google Reviews. In this session, we’ll explore how Google reviews and Brand Advocacy play a crucial role in shaping public perception, building trust and keeping our organization relevant online.
8:15–8:45am: Breaking Down Barriers and Unknowns in the Q12 Feedback Loop with Mary Doyle, Training Specialist, KVC Kansas and Molly Moody, Internal Communications Director, KVC Health Systems
At KVC, the engagement surveys are built into our culture with expectations for high participation. But after the survey is complete, where do we go from there?
8:15–8:45am: The Pivot: A DEI+B Story with Dr. Aby Washington Tabron, Vice President of Clinical Engagement, KVC Health Systems
There are times in our work when we have to shift course. In fact, it may be essential if we are to continue to evolve and grow. In this session, we are going to discuss the potential in “the pivot” — whether that’s shifting our focus, adjusting our strategies, or exploring new directions to achieve the best possible outcomes.
10:00–10:45am: Achieving Excellence: Strategies for Sustaining Employee Engagement Practices with Alexandra Beineman, Director of Program & Staff Development, Camber Mental Health
Employee engagement has long been a priority at KVC, but it is our ongoing commitment to sustaining these practices that drives lasting excellence. This training empowers managers and leaders with tools to sustain engagement practices through impactful conversations, recognition, collaboration, and goal alignment.
10:00–10:45am: Meaningful Meeting: Improving Operations with Intentional Meetings with Jarrod Dungan, Vice President of Operations, KVC Kentucky
In today’s workplace, meetings have become a default mode of communication, yet they can also consume valuable time without always yielding meaningful results. This presentation explores evidence-based strategies for making meetings work.
10:00–10:45am: Understanding Our Strengths: Power and Edge with Erin Keltner, President of KVC West Virginia
In this session, we will explore more about how our strengths can lead to the highest highs and also the lowest lows. We will discuss strengths’ blind spots and how to manage them — both as leaders and as employees. We will also discuss how we can make our strengths shine in all settings.
12:00–12:45pm: Beyond the Blueprint: KVC’s AI Implementation and Early Wins with Lonnie Johnson, Chief Information Officer, KVC Health Systems and Erik Nyberg, Executive VP of Technology, KVC Health Systems
Get an update on KVC’s journey with artificial intelligence (AI) including the establishment of a dedicated AI Committee, the acquisition of a versatile AI development platform empowering KVC to build custom solutions, and the implementation of a powerful data pooling tool to unify disparate data sources.
12:00–12:45pm: Taking a Financial Snapshot with Principal Financial with Cisco Juarez, Retirement Education Specialist, Principal Financial
Sync-up with a Retirement Education Specialist at Principal Financial, KVC’s financial partner. Together we’ll uncover how KVC employees can become aware of the knowledge needed to help reach their financial goals. Attendees will also discover 10 ways they can take action to make their financial goals a reality. Additionally, attendees will discover great resources available at Principal.
12:00–12:45pm: Unlock the Power of a Strength-Based Culture with Cassandra Dittmer, Director of Quality & Impact, KVC Nebraska
As a people manager, you have the power to shape a culture that empowers and motivates your team. In this dynamic session, you’ll learn how to create and sustain a strength-based culture that fosters growth, engagement, and success.
2:30–3:30pm: KVC Presidents’ Panel: Moving KVC from Good Enough to World Class with Business Unit Presidents
Organizations that make the greatest improvement in engagement have leaders and leadership teams that take responsibility for creating a culture of engagement. Join this session to learn how KVC senior leaders encourage and support local engagement processes and outcomes.
Are you looking to belong to a close-knit team and feel a deep sense of purpose in your work? KVC might be the right place for you! Work alongside inspiring colleagues with a shared mission of providing life-changing help to children and families. Learn more about how you can grow and thrive as a member of our team at KVC.org/careers.
