Speakers

Jeffrey Owen Hanson (b: 1993) is an award-winning, philanthropic artist on a mission to change the world through art.  Visually impaired since childhood from neurofibromatosis, Jeff's acrylicon-canvas works employ bold color and heavily sculptured texture to create an unmistakable signature style.  Self-taught as an artist, Jeff first began painting while undergoing chemotherapy at age 12.  Despite his limited vision, he continues to create brilliant artwork—a sight for sore eyes, he calls it.  

While Jeff enjoys a very successful career as an artist, his philanthropic spirit has resulted in more than 200 nonprofit organizations benefitting from his auctioned works. Jeff has been awarded both Young Philanthropist of the Year and Young Entrepreneur of the Year for his efforts.  He was a People magazine “Hero Among Us” and appeared on CNN’s “Impact Your World.”  Hanson was honored by The NASCAR Foundation with the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award and his inspirational story was profiled on CBS Sunday Morning. The award-winning artist, who received national attention for raising $1 million for charity with his art by his 20th birthday, has at age 25 generated more than $5 million. Next up: $10 Million by 30!

Jeff's works hang in the homes of art collectors across the globe--including Sir Elton John, Warren E. Buffett, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., John Cena and many others touched by Jeff's philanthropic soul and unique style.
Jeff Hanson’s core belief embodies his spirit of giving.  “Every act of kindness helps create kinder communities, more compassionate nations and a better world for all…even one painting at a time.”
For more information about Jeffrey Owen Hanson, visit JeffHansonArt.com.  Lessons From CLOD, a book describing Jeff's triumphs through adversity, is available on Jeff's web site and at  www.amazon.com.  Lessons From CLOD is also available as a live motivational keynote, presented by Jeff and his family

Terri Thompson, Director of Development and Community Engagement is a native Olathean, Graduate of The University of Kansas BSN, RN and has raised three sons right here in the Metro.  Even as a lifelong resident, she had no idea of the level of poverty that existed in Kansas City until she came to work for the Museum at Prafiriefire.  Their Mission Program, KC Urban Advantage provides a STEM educational path out of poverty for our community's most underserved children.  Reducing the future poverty rate and creating future STEM careers is good for ALL of Kansas City! 

Chukky uses his unique life experiences and acquired wisdom through is success as an entertainment entrepreneur, an actor, and in college and professional sport as a gift and that can be of value to others who set out to do great things or want to make changes to their career.

Chukky focuses on we can control our thoughts and emotions to cultivate a mindset for success and releasing the negative past to move into your empowered future. He illustrates this through his story of becoming a Super Bowl champion and relates it to his audience as to how they can create the same level of success in any area of life they choose following the same Basic Instruction.

Before embarking on his master’s to examine the structural roots of poverty and the possibilities of social enterprises he spent three years at YMCA of the USA overseeing a change in national data collection strategies from 2,600 locations and leading innovation initiatives. Concurrently, he also consults with various local, regional and international nonprofits providing consultation on operations and strategic planning. Josh is an active member of Old St. Pat’s church where he is involved in various social justice ministries. Josh’s proximity to suffering began at an early age with his father’s incurable illness and led to him giving his Dad the gift of life through a kidney donation in 2011. He has been to Haiti 17 times. When Josh needs an escape, you can find him running!