build a sense of community in my neighborhood in
After graduating college, she developed children
the urban core. A lot of the great potential is missed
and youth programs for nonprofit organizations
in our City because of a disconnection between the
including El Centro and Wyandotte Mental Health
most marginalized places and people and the com-
Association in Wyandotte County. In 1994, she took
munities where progress and growth have been ex-
a job with the Kansas City Missouri Health Depart-
ponential over the last 10 years. While continuing to
ment as the first minority health outreach coordina-
learn what causes those disconnections between in-
tor. Her duties included educating health providers
dividuals, groups, and organizations and finding ways
on how cultural beliefs and practices impact health
to remedy them, I am also making a concerted effort
behavior. In 1997, she returned to Wyandotte Coun-
to help create economic growth for individuals on the
ty as the Executive Director for Youth Opportunities
Eastside by assisting them in business development,
Unlimited, Inc., an agency devoted to developing
education, and access to relationships and resources.
and maintaining collaborative efforts, advocating, and supporting services to improve the quality of
BRENT CATLETT INDEPENDENCE SCHOOL DISTRICT: Brent
life for Wyandotte County youth. In 2004, Caudillo
is the Director of Technology for the Independence
joined Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas as the
School District in the Kansas City, MO area. His district
Director of Family Strengthening where she directed
has Chromebooks and iPads and we are sharing at
and managed their social services throughout their
#ISDstrong. Brent has close to 20 years of experience
21 county service area. Caudillo was also Director of
in education ranging from teaching 1st grade read-
Clinic Operations for Swope Health Services where
ing to 8th grade math as well as Principal at 2 differ-
she provided day to day, operational leadership and
ent buildings. He has coached many sports over the
direction to their satellite clinics. Caudillo ensured
years and has always enjoyed working in the educa-
clinic operations meet expected financial and oper-
tional environment! Before becoming the Director of
ational targets and that all clinics were functioning
Technology in Independence School District he was a
in a highly efficient and effective manner. Caudillo is
Technology Integration Specialist working primarily
currently President/Chief Executive Officer for El Cen-
with 1:1 iPad classrooms. He loves his job and getting
tro, the agency she started her nonprofit career with,
to work with fabulous educators day in and day out!
where she will oversee the day to day operations for
Connect with him on Twitter, Google+, Instagram, or
the agency. She oversees fund development, advocacy, outcome based pro-
I have gotten the chance to see economic vibrancy and what wonderful talent can do in Kansas City
gramming and strategic planning for the agency and
communities
El
Centro serves. Caudillo is a member of numerFacebook. Brent is the proud father of 5 children with
ous community boards including the KCK Public
his wife Josie and is a podcast co-host of @Dadsined!
School Board of Education, KU Advancement Board, CHWC and University of St. Mary. She has received
IRENE CAUDILLO EL CENTRO INC.: Irene received a
numerous honors for her work, including named by
bachelor’s degree from the University of Missou-
City Union Mission as one of five women in 2010 as
ri-Columbia and a master’s degree in public admin-
the recipient of Women who Changed the Heart of
istration from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
the City award, the NFL’s Hispanic Heritage Leader-
10