Evening at the Square 2025

American Public Square, along with event co-chairs, David & Cynthia Westbrook and Frank Lipsman & Janet Mark, hosted its annual event, Evening at the Square, on Monday, December 8th at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.

The event featured former New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu in conversation with APS National Steering Committee Member, Margaret Talev, Axios Senior Contributor and founding Director of Syracuse University’s new Institute for Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship in Washington, DC, who moderated the discussion.

The 2025 Founder’s Civility Award honored community leader and American Public Square Board Member, Susan Seidler Nerman.  Additionally, American Public Square remembered its friend and long-time champion, Bill Kort, by establishing the Volunteer of the Year Award in his name.

Gov. Chris Sununu

Christopher T. Sununu served four terms as the 82nd Governor of the State of New Hampshire, and after choosing not to seek a fifth term, he returned to the private sector in January 2025.

As one of the most popular governors in the country and host of the first-in-the-nation presidential primary, he is recognized as a national leader in his common-sense approach to government and balanced political navigation of otherwise polarized political waters.

Governor Sununu has appeared in over 1,000 nationally televised interviews, including multiple appearances on shows like The View and Real Time with Bill Maher. He has spoken to hundreds of organizations across the country, including corporations, think tanks, universities, conferences, and political organizations. Governor Sununu worked closely with both the Trump and Biden administrations.

Under his leadership, his state was ranked as one of the best states for business and growth in the United States, #1 state in the country for both personal and economic freedoms, and most notably, #1 for best return on taxpayer investment – the most efficient government in America.

Chris grew up in Salem, NH. He graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.) with a BS in Civil/Environmental Engineering in 1998. Chris completed a five-month through-hike of the Appalachian Trail from Maine to Georgia. He lives in Newfields, NH, with his wife, Valerie, and their three children.

Margaret Talev

In 2023, Margaret Talev became Kramer Director of the Syracuse University Institute for Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship, a joint effort of the Newhouse School and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. She is based in Washington, D.C.

Talev joined Syracuse University following a 30-year career covering American politics and the White House. A graduate of the University of Maryland at College Park, Talev served as senior White House correspondent for Bloomberg News and McClatchy Newspapers, where she won the Scripps Howard Raymond Clapper Memorial Award as a part of a team that exposed the politicization of the Justice Department.

As a White House correspondent, she covered President Trump, Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign, Barack Obama’s 2008 and 2012 campaigns, and President Obama’s two terms in the White House and Congress.

She has held positions at the Los Angeles Times, Sacramento Bee and Tampa Tribune. She is a past president of the White House Correspondents’ Association and the Washington Press Club Foundation, and has taught courses at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Most recently, Talev was the managing editor for politics at Axios.

In addition to her role at the Newhouse School, Talev is also a senior contributor at Axios and a CNN political analyst.  She also serves on the American Public Square National Steering Committee.

Susan Seidler Nerman

Susan (Sue) Seidler Nerman exemplifies the spirit of civic engagement and community leadership that American Public Square celebrates. Her strong belief in the values of truth, education, and the civil expression of ideas among every member of the community made her one of the founding Members of American Public Square, where she has served on the Board of Directors and Evening at the Square Host Committees. She credits APS programming and interactions with her fellow APS Board Members as having enriched her own life.

Sue’s leadership extends across numerous organizations that strengthen our community. She is entering her 16th year as a Trustee for the Kansas City Art Institute, is a former Board Chair, and remains actively involved as a volunteer, supporting the institution’s mission to nurture creative talent. She co-chaired KCAI’s $25 million capital campaign for the campus extension that was completed during the height of Covid.

Her additional philanthropic work spans decades and includes serving as a Lead to Read volunteer at the Academy for Integrated Arts, and involvement with the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City, The Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, Harvesters, and Johnson County Community College.  Sue also serves as vice chair for her family business board of directors and co-leads her family foundation.

As Amb. Allan Katz (ret.), for whom the Founder’s Civility Award is named, observes, “Sue gives generously of her time, talent, and treasure to causes she cares deeply about. She does not wait to be asked – instead, she jumps in and intentionally seeks to make a marked difference for people and for the community. Her dedication and involvement with American Public Square has directly improved the tone and quality of civil, fact-based discourse on topics ranging from education to healthcare to truth in media.”  Though characteristically modest about her contributions, the Founder’s Civility Award recognizes not just her accomplishments, but her embodiment of the values that make democratic discourse possible.

Click here to watch our tribute to Susan Seidler Nerman.

The Bill Kort Volunteer of the Year Award

As you may know, we lost our dear friend and long-time champion, Bill Kort, this year. Bill’s life reflected a rare combination of qualities: Service to country, professional excellence, commitment to historical memory, and a lifelong dedication to strengthening the Kansas City community. To honor Bill’s legacy, American Public Square will announce the creation of the William “Bill” Kort Volunteer of the Year Award as part of our Evening at the Square festivities in December – an event that was important and personal for Bill. The award celebrates individuals and organizations whose sustained civic leadership and volunteer service embody Bill’s spirit by:

• Inspiring collaboration and mobilizing others to create or sustain vital community institutions;
• Contributing time, expertise, and perspective over many years in ways that leave a lasting civic impact; and
• Carrying forward the values of service, a sense of humor, and integrity that defined Bill’s life.

You can help us establish this permanent award through a gift to our Evening at the Square campaign. Your contribution will help us create this lasting tribute while supporting American Public Square’s mission to build stronger, more connected communities through civil discourse, engagement, and education. Should you wish for your gift to be allocated to the Internship Fund, please contact American Public Square at (816) 601-1001.

Click here to watch our tribute to Bill Kort.

The Amb. Allan J. Katz Internship Fund

The “Amb. Allan J. Katz Internship Fund” was established in 2024 to honor the accomplishments of our founder, Allan Katz.

Today, APS operates a highly-sought internship program through its Civics Engagement Initiative.  During the academic school year, collegiate interns participate in and oversee the APS Student Committee with support from the APS Civics Education Associate. Students work together to increase civic engagement throughout their student body by hosting events and offering their peers opportunities to convene and discuss pressing local, regional, and national issues. Additionally, summer interns partner with APS staff in hands-on work that spans a number of aspects of organizational operations, including marketing, program planning, development, and more.

The Internship Fund will ensure the continuity and growth of this valuable program, providing opportunities for students while supporting the mission of American Public Square.

Through the Evening at the Square campaign, our goal is to raise money to help cover intern stipends for the next several years.  Should you wish for your gift to be allocated to the Internship Fund, please contact American Public Square at (816) 601-1001.

Presenting Sponsors

McDonnell Foundation

Susan Seidler Nerman

Lee & Christy Smith

David & Cynthia Westbrook

Jack and Glenna Wylie Foundation

Presenting Partner

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

Platinum Sponsors

Michelle Bartlett

DeBruce Foundation

Lewis Nerman

Stacy & William Pratt

Leslie M. Westbrook & Paolo Frigerio

Gold Sponsors

545 Group at Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management

Bud & Jennifer Bacon

Ann Baum – Kenneth G. and Ann Baum Philanthropic Fund

Cathi & David Brain

Creative Planning Foundation

Cunningham Mendolia Tutera Family

Dentons US LLP

ECCO Select

Enterprise Bank & Trust

Peter Gattermeir

Health Forward Foundation

Irv & Ellen Hockaday**

Jenny & John Isenberg

Jackson County Legislator Manny Abarca IV – 1st District

Jackson County Legislator DaRon McGee – 4th District (Legislative Chairman)

Howard & Ro Jacobson, Richard & Alix Jacobson, Sherri & Jonathan Jacobs

Amb. Allan Katz (ret.) & Nancy Cohn

Ward & Donna Katz

Kemper Family Foundations

The William Kort Family

Jan & Tom Kreamer

Frank Lipsman & Janet Mark*

John & Diane Phillips

Jim and Becky Pruett

Fred and Jami Pryor Foundation**

Resurrection, A United Methodist Church

Rubin, Turnbull & Associates Inc.

The Seidler Foundation

Shook, Hardy & Bacon, L.L.P.

Anonymous

Silver Sponsors

Evelyn & Dick Belger

Mary & Tom Bloch**

City of Kansas City, Missouri

Katherine DeBruce

Joseph L. Falk

Judge Jon Gray (ret.) & Dr. Valerie Chow, M.D.

Nancy & Rick Green

The Guerin and Jacob Family

Rev. Adam & LaVon Hamilton

Jill Ingram Reynolds

Howard Lubow

Lynne & Mark O’Connell

Ann & Bob Regnier

Ray Smith’s Posse

Kent Sunderland Charitable Fund**

Swope Health

University of Saint Mary

Jerry White & Cyprienne Simchowitz

Bronze Sponsors

Sarah & Jon Baum

Christopher Beal & Tim Van Zandt

Irv Belzer & Sue McCord Belzer*

Dr. Loren & Merilyn Berenbom*

Berkowitz Oliver LLP

Ryan Bernsten & Chad Staatz

Leonard and Irene Bettinger Philanthropic Fund*

Claire & Denton Bishop

Phil Blank

Blue KC

Stevi & Jeffrey Brick

Pete Browne & Julie Walker Browne

Herb & Bonnie Buchbinder*

Pati Chasnoff

Bunni & Paul Copaken

Rebecca & Harper Coulson

Peggy & Terry Dunn

Brad & Ginny Epsten**

Sandi & Ed Fried*

Bill & Christy Gautreaux

George Family Fund**

Mike Gerken & Debra Schmidt Gerken

Dr. Wayne & Sue Giles

Donna Gould Cohen**

Pam & Gary Gradinger

Dr. Allen and Mrs. Gail Gutovitz*

Joe & Cathy Hiersteiner

Liz & John Hjalmarson

Sharon & John Hoffman

Jack & Karen Holland

Howe Street Group

Husch Blackwell LLP

Kay Johnson & Bill Koenigsdorf

Linda & Topper Johntz, Jr.

Ronald & Nancy Jones**

Mary & Mark Jorgenson**

Harvey & Michele Kaplan

Marli Klumb

Rachel Krantz & Edward Goldstein*

Benny & Edith Lee

Beth & Michael Liss

Cathy & Terry Matlack

Tricia & Josh Maxfield

Vicky & Howard Mayer*

Alana Muller & Marc Hammer*

Charlene & Max Muller

Joyce & Dee Pack*

Pishkesh Market

Mary & Terry Putney

Patty & Jerry Reece**

Rosanne & Howard Rosen

Rowland Family Fund of the Douglas County Community Foundation**

Lisa & Charles Schellhorn

Lynn Schweig

Juliette Singer & Ian Spinks**

Deborah Smith & Dr. Mark Myron

Betsey & Rick Solberg

Charlie & Jeanne Sosland

Susan Stanton

Benjamin & Jessica Stone

Michele & Jim Stowers

Jeannine Strandjord

Howard Trilling

Lynne & Carl Weilert

Marie Woodbury & Dan Claiborn

Dr. and Mrs. John Yungmeyer

Karl & Beth Zobrist

Anonymous

In-Kind Sponsors

Hotel Kansas City

zTrip

Special Event Hosts

Irv Belzer & Sue McCord Belzer

Benny & Edith Lee

Shook, Hardy & Bacon, L.L.P.

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* Denotes philanthropic funds from the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City.
** Denotes philanthropic funds from the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation.