
The Platte County Economic Development Council (PCEDC) hosted its first Quarterly Member Luncheon on Friday, March 8, 2024, at the Kansas City Airport Marriott. This event, hosted on International Women’s Day, featured three special guest panelists who shared their experiences, insight, and wisdom as influential female leaders:
- Kathy Rose, Mayor – City of Riverside
- Melissa Cooper, Aviation Director – Kansas City Aviation Dept.
- Michelle Hataway, Acting Director – Missouri Dept. of Economic Development
These distinguished women are not only influential leaders here in the Kansas City region, but also make waves throughout all of Missouri.
PCEDC Chairman Darren Hennen of Olsson kicked off the luncheon by recognizing many of the elected officials, high-level PCEDC investors, board members, and special guests in attendance. Recognition was also given to 11 new PCEDC investors, including BCCM Construction Group, Centric, Feed Northland Kids, Level Up Kids, Mattie Rhodes Center, Renaissance Infrastructure Consulting, Ronco Construction, Russell, True North Outdoor, YMCA of Greater Kansas City, and Dan Fowler.

Tina Chace, Executive Director of PCEDC, took the stage and asked each woman in the audience stand and be recognized for International Women’s Day. She then welcomed the three panelists to the stage to begin the program.
After introducing themselves, each panelist took time to talk about current initiatives they are working in their respective organizations. Mayor Kathy Rose mentioned that the new Riverside Live Nation amphitheater was officially under construction as the contracts had been approved the night before during their Board of Alderman meeting. Melissa Cooper shared that the new airport terminal celebrated its first birthday on February 28 and it had been an overall great first year in business. Michelle Hataway rounded out the updates with discussing some of the business attraction initiatives Missouri DED is working on around the Kansas City metro, with a few projects soon to be announced.
The panelists then took time to discuss their respective leadership styles and motivations to pursue leadership role within their fields. Additionally, they commented on some of the challenges they faced while climbing the corporate ladder as well as the effective strategies they utilize to navigate a work/life balance. The panelists wrapped up their conversation by offering advice to women who aspire to be in similar leadership roles.

We genuinely appreciate our Event Sponsor, UHY Certified Public Accounts, for their support of this event. UHY provides attentive, personal service to individuals, family owned businesses, nonprofit and government entities and the agricultural sector in the greater Kansas City area, serving clients in the areas of tax compliance and planning, audit, management consulting, technology risk and compliance services, and outsourcing accounting services. To find out more about UHY, click here.
We’d also like to thank our Program Sponsor, North Kansas City Hospital | Meritas Health Executive Wellness, for their support. NKCH’s Executive Wellness program is a comprehensive annual physical assessment designed for busy professionals, executives, individuals, and their spouses who want a thorough evaluation of their health in a condensed timeframe. This program is conducted by a team of northland medical professionals, going beyond a routine check-up by providing a detailed picture of a person’s health status. Key components of this program include pre-evaluation virtual visit, extensive clinical and diagnostic assessments, health coaching, pharmacy medication programs, medical review, and much more. To find out more about NKCH’s Executive Wellness Program or to schedule an appointment, click here.
Finally, thank you to Mayor Kathy Rose, Director Melissa Cooper, and Acting Director Michelle Hataway for taking the time out of their busy schedules to participate in this discussion!
