SGF Insider

In this final episode of the SGF Insider "Plugged In" segment , the Leadership Springfield team sat down to talk about what it means to say your best yes. We talk about celebrating wins, cultivating our team culture, hopes for 2026, and so much more as we say goodbye to this chapter of storytelling. More to come on what sharing alumni and community stories will look like very soon, but for now, tu...

In this episode, we sit down with Sara Choate, Chief People Officer at KPM CPAs & Advisors, to explore how intentional leadership development, community engagement, and programs like KPM Connects and Careers in Action are shaping the next generation of leaders. Tune in to hear how KPM is empowering employees to thrive at work — and give back to the Springfield community. Thank you to KPM CPAs & Ad...

This episode of Plugged In features Andrea Brady, our 2025 Kenworthy Award Winner and force for good in the Springfield community. From her decades of leadership at Great Southern Bank to her incredible service across Springfield's nonprofit and civic landscape, Andrea shares what it means to lead with heart, build lasting impact, and say "yes" to the community.

In this episode of Plugged In , we're joined by Kai Schaefer and Tristan Khoshyomn — Greenwood Laboratory School students and Academy Class 35 graduates — as they share how their Leadership Springfield experience helped them spark new opportunities for peers by founding Greenwood's FBLA chapter, mentor opportunities with MSU students, and more. Hear their reflections on leadership, community, and...

In this episode of "Plugged In", Rachel Munday—executive director of efactory and champion of local innovation—reflects on a decade of impact, community building, and bold leadership . Tune in for a conversation full of insight on leading with vision, nurturing partnerships, and staying deeply connected to the place you call home. Thank you to KPM CPAs & Advisors for sponsoring the Plugged In epis...

In the latest episode of "Plugged In," get the inside scoop on the future and growth of the Community Focus project!  Traci Nash, transition consultant for Community Focus in Ozarks Public Health Institute at MSU, sat down to talk about how she got involved with the project, what's next for the Community Focus program, opportunities from recent grant funding from the Missouri Foundation for Health...

On the latest episode of "Plugged In", we had a conversation with the Nic(h)ole's of SPS!  Dr. Nicole Holt, Deputy Superintendent of Academics, and Dr. Nichole Lemmon, Director of Virtual Learning and Strategic Planning , sit down to chat about their work on the LeadSGF Curriculum Committee, valuable leadership development tools being shared with program participants, the importance and impact of...

Get Connected with 2025 Chamber Chairman of the Board Bob Helm as he shares about how he has come into his leadership position, his key objectives for 2025 and how the business community can make a lasting impact in Springfield. Get additional insights such as a monthly business tip, and upcoming Chamber events you won't want to miss! 

Tune in to our conversation with Bethany Burrows, Community Events Project Manager at Convoy of Hope, and Diana Tyndall, Owner of Modern Day Marketing! Both Bethany and Diana serve on the LeadSGF board and Alumni Committee and have been instrumental in getting our new Alumni Impact Series off the ground. Learn more about this new offering for alumni, the inspiration for the series, why they stay i...

To kick off 2025, we are excited to introduce a new format for the Chamber's portion of the SGF Insider Podcast! Sharing with you monthly business tips, Chamber events and a new topic and guest each month. This first episode is just a sneak peek into what we have in store for you in 2025! 

Tune into this month's episode of "Plugged In" to hear our conversation with  Francine Pratt, Prosper Springfield Director and co-chair of the Springfield-Greene County Gun Safety and Gun Violence Reduction Collaborative .   Learn   about the work of the gun safety and violence reduction collaborative, how they are bringing awareness to the community, how you can help, and the next steps for their...

This month's episode of "Plugged In" features a conversation with Larry Stock, founder of Peak Influence, LeadSGF Board Past President, and Lifetime Legacy Leader. Larry shared about his recent career transition, his approach to mentoring, and exciting leadership development opportunities with Larry in partnership with efactory coming in 2025.

On this month's episode of "Plugged In" we sat down for a conversation with two leaders from Burrell Behavioral Health's Be Well Initiatives, Bailey Pyle, Director, and Nia Howard, Program and Engagement Leader! Learn more about the Be Well Community, how your organization can get involved, and how LeadSGF is partnering with Burrell this year as our Be Well Sponsor.

This month on "Plugged In", join us for a conversation with Megan Buchbinder, Director of Marketing at the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau, Leadership Council Chair of The Network for Springfield's Young Professionals, and co-chair of Celebrate Springfield!   We chatted with Megan about growing her career as a young professional in Springfield, the mission of the CVB, how to get involved...

Are you already missing the nonstop Olympic coverage like we are? Well, you're in luck! This month, on our LeadSGF episode of "Plugged In," you can continue the Olympic hype and join us for a conversation with Teri Cantwell, Olympian and Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Central Bank! We chatted with Teri about her Olympic experience, valuable leadership lessons learned as a professional...

This month, on our LeadSGF episode of "Plugged In," you can join us for a conversation with Brendan Griesemer, Executive Director of Restore SGF, and Tim Rosenbury, Director of Quality of Place Initiatives for the City of Springfield!   Tune in to hear us talk about Forward SGF 2040 updates, rebuilding the community with Restore SGF, and more.   Special thanks to Mercy Hospital Springfield for spo...

This month, on our LeadSGF episode of "Plugged In," you can join us for a conversation with Duan and Michelle Gavel, co-founders of All Things Diverse SGF! Tune in to hear us talk about their entrepreneurial journey and mission to highlight diverse resources and businesses in our community. Check out All Things Diverse to find diverse businesses, organizations, professionals, and resources.

This month's "Plugged In" episode features a conversation with Leadership Springfield's two outgoing board members, Eric Lampe and Stephanie Wan! Tune in as we discuss their experience on the LeadSGF board over the last six years, what board service means to them, and advice for anyone getting involved in local boards. Special thanks to Mercy Hospital Springfield for sponsoring the Leadership Spri...

This month's "Plugged In" episode is a conversation with  Caitlin Kissee, a Gallup Strengths expert, local business owner, and this year's Signature Class Strengths facilitator! Tune in as we discuss partnering for performance, how differences are advantages, the benefit of well-rounded teams when it comes to strengths, and more. Special thanks to Mercy Hospital Springfield for sponsoring the Lead...

Join Leadership Springfield for our conversation with Jay Miller and Tiffany Taylor, teachers at Parkview High School, and students from the Parkview Leadership Program. Tune in as we discuss their experience with the Youth Civic Leadership Access Class, a collaborative project funded by a Musgrave Grant through CFO, and the students' experience in the program learning about civic engagement at al...

This month's "Plugged In" episode is a conversation with Kai Sutton, President of the Springfield NAACP! Tune in as we discuss the nation's largest and oldest civil rights organization, which celebrates its 115th Founders Day this month, and Kai's involvement with the Springfield chapter and our community. Special thanks to Mercy Hospital Springfield for sponsoring the Leadership Springfield "Plug...

Join us for our conversation with Dr. Spencer Harris, President of Mostly Serious, Co-Founder of Habitat Communication & Culture, and LeadSGF board member. Tune in as we talk about setting your business up for success in the new year! Special thanks to Mercy for sponsoring the LeadSGF "Plugged In" episodes in 2024.

Join us for a conversation with Stephanie Matthews and Stephanie Wan, co-chairs of the Rosie Committee, and Cindy Mergen, Leadership Springfield Program Director ! Tune in as we celebrate one year of Rosie being a LeadSGF program and talk about the growth of the committee, upcoming events, and what it means to be a part of Rosie. Thank you to our Rosie Riveter Sponsor, Volt Credit Union, and Rosie...

Join us for a conversation with Jonathan Garard, Owner of Grooms Office Environments and executive board member for The Warrior's Journey. Tune in as we talk about Jonathan's leadership at Grooms, involvement with The Warrior's Journey's impactful mission, and more! Special thanks to Mercy Hospital Springfield for sponsoring the Leadership Springfield "Plugged In" episodes.

Join us for a conversation with Dennis Davis, Director of Safety for Prime! Tune in as we talk about Dennis' career with Prime, managing teams, community engagement, and more. Special thanks to Mercy Hospital Springfield for sponsoring the Leadership Springfield "Plugged In" episodes.