KCK Women's Chamber Panel, "Making an Impact In Your Community Beyond the Workplace"

Solissa Franco-McKay Bio
Solissa Franco-McKay is an educator and nonprofit leader who currently serves as the Director of Career & Alumni programs for Kauffman Scholars, a Kansas City based college access & scholarship program embedded within the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Her varied professional background includes both the K-12 & higher education communities. Inspired by her lived experiences as a first-generation college graduate & multiracial/Latinx woman of color, Solissa is personally invested in work that is equity-centered and focused on elevating historically marginalized communities. Solissa uses her aptitude for authentic leadership, empathy, input & ideation to help guide her advocacy for educational opportunity and access.

Solissa holds a Bachelor of Arts in middle school education & a master’s in higher education administration from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. Solissa has received professional certificates in Nonprofit Board Consulting and is a certified mindfulness teacher/facilitator.

Solissa is the proud mom of two girls, Everly & Mia, who continue to inspire & motivate her daily. As an active member of the Kansas City community, Solissa has most recently served on the board of directors for Scuola Vita Nuova Charter School, is a continued mentor for the UMKC Avanzando Mentoring Program & is a proud alumna of the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Centurions Leadership Program.

Amy Pinger, CVA Bio
Amy is the Senior Community Engagement Manager/AmeriCorps Program Director at Harvesters - The Community Food Network. In this role, Amy is responsible for evaluating annual resource development strategies for volunteerism, community outreach, and donor engagement at the Harvesters Kansas Distribution Center. As Harvesters AmeriCorps Program Director, Amy is responsible for providing leadership and management of the Harvesters AmeriCorps State & National program. 
 
Amy is actively involved in the community both professionally and personally. Since 2016, Amy has served as a Governor appointed Commissioner to the Kansas Volunteer Commission. The Kansas Volunteer Commission works to develop collaborations and opportunities that build resources and strengthen service, mentoring, volunteerism, and civic engagement in Kansas. As the Chair of the Commission, Amy has been actively involved in the development of state service plans, making funding recommendations, and advocating for investments in national service to benefit Kansas. 
 
In her personal life, Amy is an active volunteer with the Women's Activity and Learning Center at the Topeka Correctional Facility. She is a proud University of Kansas Alum and most importantly, Mom to James and Jack.  
 
CVA - Certification in Volunteer Administration valid through 2025

Beth Felski Bio
Beth Felski is the Regional Appointments Project® Director at United WE, a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to advancing all women’s economic and civic leadership. United WE focuses on systems-level change for women and their families including pay equity, paid family leave, access to childcare, and civic leadership positions. 

In this role she is responsible for enhancing and growing the impact created by the Appointments Project®, a program established to increase the number of women serving on civic boards and commissions.  Beth is part of a team that invests in research, advocacy, policy solutions and civic engagement programs to remove economic and civic barriers for women.  She is passionate about her role at United WE because it gives her the opportunity to facilitate and advance an essential program for women that fills a void in civic leadership. Beth is a collaborator, focusing on enhancing relationships and program opportunities with community partners and civic leaders.

As a community affairs professional, Beth has an extensive background in leadership training, government affairs, and nonprofit development.  Her experience in working with businesses and community leaders in her various roles at the Olathe Chamber of Commerce has given her a unique perspective and vast experience in providing innovative solutions for the challenges of the business, civic and non-profit community.  She is a relationship-builder who can cultivate connections and measurably implement successful initiatives. 

Beth holds a degree in American Studies from the University of Kansas and earned her certificate of Organizational Management from the US Chamber of Commerce.