KC Tech Workforce Summit 2025

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REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

Join us on August 7th to unlock the potential of Kansas City's tech workforce through our third annual KC Tech Workforce Summit. This event is your opportunity to explore the evolving tech talent landscape and help shape the future of Kansas City’s tech workforce.

Interested in sponsoring the KC Tech Workforce Summit? Contact Erin Christensen.

CONFERENCE SESSIONS

KEYNOTE - THE NEW ERA OF TALENT: ENABLING PEOPLE WITH AI

The era of AI is reshaping how we attract, develop, and retain tech talent—and organizations must evolve just as quickly. This keynote explores both the urgent need for upskilling and the broader transformation of talent functions driven by artificial intelligence. You'll gain insights into the current state of AI adoption in HR and staffing, how to measure ROI, avoid common pitfalls, and empower HR teams to successfully integrate these emerging tools. Whether you're leading a talent strategy or adapting to new technologies, this session will equip you with the knowledge to thrive in a fast-changing landscape.

Andrew Murphy - Innovation Research Manager @ RSM US LLP

EARLY CAREER TECH TALENT: A CROSS-FUNCTIONAL APPROACH TO RECRUITING & ENGAGEMENT (BREAKOUT SESSION)

Discover how H&R Block is bringing together HR, talent acquisition, and IT to create stronger entry points and meaningful early career experiences for tech professionals. This session explores the company’s cross-functional strategy to attract and retain top early career talent, with practical takeaways for organizations of any size looking to build or enhance their tech talent pipeline.

Megan Colonna Zickwolf - Program Manager, Talent Acquisition @ H&R Block

HOW KC'S BEST EMPLOYERS BUILT AWARD WINNING CULTURES - STRAIGHT FROM THE TEAMS THAT DID IT

Hear directly from KC Tech Council member companies named to the Kansas City Business Journal’s Best Places to Work list as they share the strategies, values, and day-to-day practices that earned them recognition. This session offers an inside look at how award-winning cultures are built—and sustained—and will leave you with fresh ideas and inspiration to take back to your own organization.

Sarah Gilliland - HR Director, People Team/Corporate @ Terracon

Donzel Davis - Employee Experience Manager @ Spotlight Analyst Relations

Kevin Sears - Vice President - Mission Critical @ JE Dunn

IMMIGRATION LAW UPDATE FOR TECH EMPLOYERS (BREAKOUT SESSION)

With immigration policy making frequent headlines, tech employers need clarity on what’s changing—and what it means for their hiring strategies. This year, our experts will offer a timely update on the latest immigration laws and proposals impacting the tech workforce, including shifts in visa programs, regulatory priorities, and potential developments.

Liz Chatham - Partner @ Stinson

Kim Pikul - Principal Counsel, Immigration and Environmental @ Garmin

SKILLS & EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS IN KC TECH JOB OPENINGS

In this session, we will dive into the top five most in-demand tech roles among Kansas City employers over the past year, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the skills, education, and certifications most commonly required. We'll also explore how the KC TechBridge project is collecting and analyzing regional data to inform this dialogue, and how early- and mid-career pathways can be leveraged to grow the tech talent pipeline.

Anna Hennes - Founder and CEO @ Dovetail Talent Solutions; Project Manager @ KC TechBridge

Andrew Sallee - Data Analytics Consultant @ Andrew Sallee LLC; Data Scientist @ KC TechBridge

THE INSIDER THREAT YOU'RE IGNORING: HUMAN RISK IN THE TECH TALENT PIPELINE (BREAKOUT SESSION)

Insider threats often begin long before any technical indicators appear—rooted instead in burnout, isolation, and cultural misalignment. In this eye-opening session, explore how subtle human dynamics can quietly erode your organization’s security posture. Learn how common talent practices—like rushed onboarding, unclear expectations, and lack of psychological safety—can unintentionally introduce operational risk. Discover how applying counterintelligence principles to hiring, retention, and leadership can help you build more resilient teams. You'll walk away with practical tools to recognize early warning signs of human risk and strategies to shift from a compliance-first mindset to one focused on human-centered resilience.

Koty Henry - Cybersecurity Policy Advisor @ National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)

TRANSITIONING VETERANS AND GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL INTO TECH ROLES (BREAKOUT SESSION)

Veterans, transitioning military, and government employees can offer an extremely beneficial pipeline for your tech roles. Our speakers will share experiences and best practices for successfully transitioning military and government personnel into the tech industry. Drawing from their experiences, they’ll highlight strategies for bridging skills gaps, aligning military experience with industry needs, and fostering long-term career growth.

Shawn Geib - Chief Information Security Officer @ Kansas City National Security Campus, Managed by Honeywell FM&T

Tony Garrison - Sr. Military Staffing Specialist @ Kansas City National Security Campus, Managed by Honeywell FM&T

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