Creating Space for Important Conversations

Meet the APS Team

Commitment. Character. Action.

“More than 9 out of 10 respondents said it’s important for the United States to try to reduce our divisiveness. Figuring out how to have a constructive conversation with folks on the other side would be a good start, most said.”

– Public Agenda/USA TODAY/Ipsos poll December 2019

Founded to Make a Difference

With decades of experience in politics and law, Ambassador Allan Katz (Portugal 2010-2013) observed first-hand the increasing polarization of our two-party political system and the tribalization of Americans unwilling to talk to people with whom they did not agree.

Motivated to mitigate the chasm between extremes, Ambassador Katz founded American Public Square (APS) in Kansas City in 2013. Using civil discourse to bridge the partisan divide, APS engages in fact-based conversations about local, regional and national issues.

APS Team

“Our Reserve of personal bonds and fellowship – is seriously depleted.”

–Robert Putnam, author of Bowling Alone

At American Public Square, we believe we must intentionally

- - re-build our personal bonds and fellowship
  - re-weave the frayed and tattered fabric of our community
  - re-commit to ourselves and our neighbors that we will face society’s most pressing issues together

Amb. Allan Katz

Founder and CEO

About

Appointed as US Ambassador to Portugal by President Obama in 2013, Allan has dedicated his life to public service, social advocacy and community engagement. A lawyer and political science professor, Allan founded American Public Square in 2013 where he serves as CEO and Chair of the Board of Directors.

Claire Bishop

Executive Director

About

An experienced leader and organizational transformation expert, Claire believes in the power of community and advancing the missions of organizations. A proud Kansas City native, Claire has served as a marketing executive and board member in for-profit and nonprofit organizations. A seasoned communication professional, Claire brings clarity, organization and passion to the APS community.

Alana Muller

Community Development Director

About

Committed to relationship-building, entrepreneurship, leadership and community, Alana models respect, empathy and inclusion as tenants of a just society. A business owner, author and board member, Alana is founder of Coffee Lunch Coffee and KC Common Good, a 501(c)3 designed to give Kansas Citians access to hope and opportunity while reducing violence.

Denesha Snell

Program Director

About

A native Kansas Citian, Denesha has devoted her career to address community issues including parent advocacy, cultural diversity, causes of health disparities, violence prevention and improving relationships with community and civic partners. Her experience and knowledge in navigating diverse approaches to problem-solving controversial issues brings creativity and professionalism to APS programming.

Allison Koelzer

Student Initiative Coordinator

About

As Student Initiative Coordinator, Alison works with high school and college students to develop student-led programs and APS internships. In addition to giving students a voice at APS, Alison hosts our podcast, At the Square, and serves as a Roving Reporter at many of our signature events.

Lauren C. Weinhold

Director of Development

About

As a bridge builder, story teller and advocate, Lauren marries her love of people with her passion for APS’s mission in her work as the Director of Development. With a decades-long year career in Kansas City’s non-profit sector, Lauren is an experienced leader, motivator and communicator. Lauren believes that what you focus on grows, so she’s focused on making our community more aware, engaged and maybe even a little kinder.

Ruth Baum Bigus

Media Relations

About

Ruth Baum Bigus joined the APS team in 2020 handling media and public relations responsibilities. Ruth brings to APS 30-plus years’ experience sharing the stories of nonprofits and their important impact on the Kansas City community and beyond. Ruth’s professional background includes working as a professional journalist, communications director for several nonprofit organizations and as a free-lance writer for several publications.

Cindy Johnston

Executive Assistant

About

A former small business owner and business to business sales executive, Cindy brings operations experience, brand management and the desire to create an amazing member experience.

Board of Directors

Board Chair–Ambassador Allan Katz

Irv Belzer

Secretary of the Board, Senior Counsel at Bryan Cave

Bill Kort

Treasurer, Retired investment advisor

Peggy Dunn

Founding Member & Mayor of Leawood

Rebecca Hall

Program Officer at Hall Family Foundation

Ward Katz

Real Estate Investor

Leo Morton

DeBruce Companies, Chancellor of UMKC 2008-2018

Colleen Nelson

Editorial Page Editor and Vice President of Kansas City Star

Greg Orman

Businessman, Entrepreneur, U.S. Political Reformer

Ann Regnier

Community Volunteer

Paul Russell

Chairman of ej4

Joni Wickham

Co-founder of Wickham James Strategies

Kevin Yoder

Former United States Representative

Bill Pratt

Ret. Kirkland & Ellis LLP

Shaun Stallworth

Hollman Schiavone, LLC

Tom McDonnell

Ret. DST Systems

Sue Nerman

Kansas City Art Institute

APS Advisory Board

- - Mike McShane, Co-Chair – EdChoice
  - Jerry White, Co-Chair – Colliers International
  - Manny Abarca – Congressman Emmanuel Cleaver’s Office
  - Mohammad Azim – Kansas Software Technologies
  - Maggie Collins – Howe Street Group
  - Monica Curls – Terracon
  - SuEllen Fried – Reaching Out from Within
  - Wallace Hartsfield – Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church
  - Justice Horn – Community Activist
  - Jenny Isenberg – Eclectics Gallery
  - Mary Jorgenson – Community Volunteer
  - Martha Jalali – University of Kansas

Sofia Khan – KC for Refugees
Janet Mark – Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Kaylee Piele – KC Social Innovation Center
Jeanette Prenger – ECCO Select
Dan Rosenfield – Outfront Media
Cindy Spaeth – Community Volunteer
Stuart Swetland – Donnelly College
Marvin S. Szneler – Community Volunteer
Ursula Terrasi – Terrasi Living & Scandia Home
Wim van Klinken – Community of Christ
Greg Vonnahme – University of Missouri Kansas City
David Westbrook – Children’s Mercy

Community Partnerships

William Jewell College

American Public Square at Jewell is proud to be formally affiliated with William Jewell College, a 170-year-old private college and academic institution. We recognize William Jewell as a Founding Sponsor of the organization, and as American Public Square’s academic home. APS at Jewell maintains an office in the Yates-Gill Union on the William Jewell campus.

Because William Jewell is more focused than ever on advancing critical thinking and preparing students to connect their thinking with their purpose, this formal affiliation is a perfect alignment.

APS and William Jewell’s teams partner on a number of key initiatives, including

- - APS Internship Program
  - Student Programming Initiative
  - The 2020 Nuts and Bolts of Democracy Series