Jeri Brungard is the co-founder of Women Hiking Kansas and Beyond, a community that has inspired thousands of women to discover the beauty of the outdoors while building lasting friendships. What began in 2019 as a way to organize hikes with a handful of friends has grown into a thriving Facebook community of more than 12,000 members. Through monthly hikes across Kansas and annual adventures beyond the state's borders, Jeri and Cindy have helped create an organization that we

Cowboy, historian and author Jim Gray joins Ask A Kansan to share stories from Kansas' cattle-driving era, reflect on the evolution of the cowboy way of life, and discuss his role in preserving the unique UFO history of Geneseo, Kansas. From cattle towns and trail drives to prairie horizons and unexplained encounters, Gray offers a fascinating look at the people, places and legends that continue to shape the Kansas story.

Shane Carter is the executive director of the Kansas African American Museum in Wichita, Kansas. Originally from Troy, Ohio, Carter earned a business degree from the University of Wisconsin while playing collegiate football and later completed a master's degree in educational administration. Before joining the museum, he spent 13 years leading the Lincoln Community Center in Ohio, where he expanded educational programs, community services, and capital projects that positively

Tanner Johnson is a professional wood carver, and passionate Kansan from Lindsborg. While studying anthropology at Kansas State University, he traveled to Ecuador as a student researcher and ultimately spent nearly two decades living in remote rural communities. There, he worked as an English teacher, translator, farmer, and cultural observer while immersing himself in local traditions and raising a family. His experiences abroad profoundly shaped both his worldview and his a

Brad Anderson is a lifelong Salina resident, multi-generation Kansan, and Executive Director of Salina Arts & Humanities. A passionate advocate for arts, culture, and community development, he has spent decades helping shape Salina’s cultural landscape through public art, education, cultural planning, and signature events like the Smoky Hill River Festival. Anderson is committed to building connections that enrich the quality of life across Kansas.

Lori Rogge is a Kansas realtor, auctioneer, and community leader with Gene Francis & Associates and Gavel Roads Online Auctions. Raised across communities throughout Kansas she built a career spanning financial advising, philanthropic development at Kansas State University, and eventually the family real estate and auction business founded by her parents in 1984.

Born on Long Island and now rooted in Wichita, Kansas, DJ Carbon has spent decades creating soundtracks for unforgettable memories. A full-time DJ for seven years, he blends music, event hosting, and community advocacy to bring people together. From weddings and festivals to nonprofit fundraisers, Carbon is known for reading the room, introducing new sounds, and creating experiences that connect audiences through music and culture.

LeLan Danes is the executive director of Kansas Spanish Speakers, a nonprofit dedicated to building bridges between Spanish- and English-speaking communities across the state. Based in Emporia, his organization provides advocacy, education, and resources—from helping individuals navigate immigration and healthcare systems to equipping businesses and communities with the tools to communicate across language barriers. A Lyon County native, LeLan’s path has been anything but con

Sarah VanLanduyt is a Kansas-based arts leader and advocate dedicated to strengthening creative communities across the state. A Topeka native, she serves as Executive Director of the Arts Council of Johnson County, where she works at the intersection of nonprofits, government, and artists to support and grow a vibrant and sustainable arts ecosystem. In this role, she focuses on identifying community needs, advancing policy, and developing initiatives that expand access to the

Steven Benstein is a self-described “Kansan by choice” and director of the Flint Hills Discovery Center. A former National Park Service ranger, his career has taken him across the country—but it’s the Flint Hills he now calls home. Through storytelling that connects land, history, and people, Benstein helps visitors discover the deeper complexity and beauty of Kansas.

Sammy Gleason is a passionate advocate for Kansas-made products and the people behind them, serving as a the program manager for the From the Land of Kansas program at the Kansas Department of Agriculture. In her role, she helps promote and connect consumers with products that are grown, raised, or produced across the state—championing local businesses and celebrating Kansas agriculture in all its forms.

Matt Bain is the Director of Conservation for The Nature Conservancy in Kansas, where he leads statewide efforts to protect and sustain the state’s remaining grasslands, waterways, and wildlife habitats. A western Kansas native, Bain grew up on a farm in Ness County, where his early experiences hunting, fishing, and working the land shaped a lifelong commitment to conservation.

Claire Ludes is a dynamic leader blending community impact, strategic growth, and a passion for storytelling in her role as Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer at the Cosmosphere. With a career rooted in service and leadership, Claire previously served as Executive Director of the Salina Area United Way and held key roles with OCCK, along with managing multi-location retail operations in Wichita—experiences that shaped her strength in people-focused leadership

Rick Muma serves as president of Wichita State University, bringing more than three decades of experience at the university into his leadership role. A Wichita native with deep Kansas roots, Muma’s family history in the region dates back to early homesteaders near Maize.

Rolf Potts is an internationally known travel writer, author, and storyteller with Kansas roots that continue to shape his work.

Deb Goodrich is a journalist, author, historian, and filmmaker dedicated to uncovering and sharing the stories that shaped Kansas and the American West.

Kiki Bush—who has also worked professionally under the name Kristen Bush—is a Kansas-born stage and screen actor, writer, and director whose career has taken her from Sterling to New York, London, Berlin, Los Angeles, and back home to Kansas.

Ken Spurgeon is a Kansas historian and filmmaker known for bringing Midwestern stories to the screen with a storyteller’s eye and a scholar’s rigor. Raised in Wichita and now based in the Wichita-area (Andover), Ken is a professor of history at Friends University, where his lifelong love of biography, the Civil War era, and the American West fuels both his teaching and creative work.

Ashley Vail is the owner and founder of Vail Family Farm, a specialty cut flower farm located just north of Salina, Kansas. What began during the pandemic with backyard chickens quickly grew into a bold leap into flower farming—despite Ashley having no prior experience growing anything beyond her two children

Andres Mata is the CEO and founder of the Kansas Civic Network, a Kansas-based civic engagement organization focused on helping communities connect, collaborate, and participate in public life.