KCCM 2026 Speakers
Thom Allen | KU School of Public Affairs and Administration
Thom Allen is an innovative academic leader with a passion for community engagement and design. He thrives on employing a multifaceted, interdisciplinary approach to nurture creativity and enhance effective communication, all while advancing forward-thinking initiatives for public spaces. His courses span teaching creative placemaking, site planning, architecture, sustainability, and defensible spaces, where he uses an applied research approach to enhance student experiences.
Spencer Duncan | League of Kansas Municipalities
Spencer has been with the League since 2022. Previously, he owned Capitol Connection, an association management, lobbying and investigation Firm. Spencer is a native Kansan, born in Topeka. He holds a master’s degree in business administration from Baker University and a B.S. in Journalism and B.A. in English from the University of Kansas. He also currently serves as Mayor of the Topeka City Council and is a licensed Private Detective in Kansas. His wife Barbara is a financial planner and partner with Clayton Wealth Partners in Topeka, and they have a son, Connor.
Nathan Eberline | League of Kansas Municipalities
Nathan Eberline has worked the majority of his career in municipal law, government relations, and public policy. Before rejoining the League as Executive Director in 2023, he spent a decade working both for the League and the Kansas Association of Counties. Nathan also spent five years as the Vice President of Operations for the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). He holds a J.D. from the University of Iowa and a B.A. from Wartburg College. Nathan lives in Shawnee with his family and enjoys reading, writing, and pickup basketball in his free time.
Matt Garrett | Johnson County Park and Recreation District (JCPRD)
Matthew Garrett has been providing conservation leadership as a natural resource manager, biologist and naturalist in both Kansas and Missouri for the past 20 years. His current role encompasses all aspects of natural resource management for the Johnson County (Kansas) Park and Recreation District. Garrett loves connecting the public to conservation efforts through large-scale prairie restoration and leveraging community partners for conservation success. Garrett is deeply involved in native plant advocacy and the protection of urban natural areas with Kansas City (KC) Wildlands and Deep Roots KC.
Angela Gist-Mackey | KU Communication Studies
Angela N. Gist-Mackey (Ph.D., University of Missouri) is a tenured Associate Professor and Associate Chairperson in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Kansas with an expertise in organizational communication. She is an interpretive critical scholar who largely researches issues of social mobility and power in organized contexts. Her program of research frequently explores topics related to social class, economic mobility, stigmatized social identities, and organizational culture. In sum, Dr. Gist-Mackey's body of scholarship identifies how people use communication and organizing when they face adversity.
John Goodyear | League of Kansas Municipalities
In his role, John serves the League as the chief legal advisor and member cities by answering member questions, leading municipal trainings, and advocating for municipal interests before the Kansas Legislature. Goodyear was recognized as a 2025 Kansas Bar Association Outstanding Young Lawyer, highlighting his significant contributions to the legal field and his leadership within the League. He also engages in community development and leadership programs and is involved in statewide initiatives like Leadership Kansas.
Maja Husar Holmes | KU School of Public Affairs and Administration
Maja Holmes is the Director of the School of Public Affairs and Administration and Professor of Public Administration. She is dedicated to advancing public service education, engaged scholarship, and fostering inclusivity through research, teaching, and service.
Jenny Mehmedovic | KU Public Management Center
Jenny Mehmedovic is Assistant Director of Consulting and Coaching Services in the KU Public Management Center, and founder of Create the Future Coaching & Consulting. Jenny has over 25 years of experience designing and facilitating strategic planning, leadership development, professional development, and team building for higher education, non-profit, and public sector leaders and their organizations. Jenny presents nationally on leadership, organizational change, organizational and professional development, effective teams, communication styles, conflict management, and working from your strengths.
Susan Mong | Johnson County Park and Recreation District (JCPRD)
Susan Mong serves as Superintendent of Culture for Johnson County Park and Recreation District (JCPRD). Prior to coming to JCPRD, Susan served as Executive Director of the Johnson County Library Foundation, where she led a 24-member board in fundraising efforts to advance the library collection and literacy programs. She is originally from Omaha, Nebraska but has called Overland Park home for the last 27 years. She holds a master’s degree in Public Administration and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Kansas. Susan and her husband Grant have been married 25 years and have 3 children, Molly, Mallory and Dillon.
Brian S. Nakamura | KU School of Public Affairs and Administration
Brian S. Nakamura joined Texas A&M’s Bush School of Government and Public Service Department of Public Service and Administration as Assistant Professor of the Practice in September 2019 and advanced to an Associate in 2022. He earned his B.A. in Economics from California State University in 1992, and a Master of Public Administration and Doctorate in Public Administration from the University of Southern California in 1995 and 2002, respectively.
Kristi Northcutt | KU Public Management Center
Kristi Northcutt joined the PMC as its director in May 2025. Prior to coming to KU, she served as the City Administrator in Lindsborg, Kansas (2021-2025) and as the Senior Director of Community Relations in Anthem, Arizona (2014-2021). She has managed large teams of employees in city administration including public affairs, legislative affairs, business development, customer service, special events, conference center management, tourism, public safety, parks and recreation, and public works. In Arizona, she also served as the head of the world renown Anthem Veterans Memorial.
Noel Rasor | KU Public Management Center
Noel Rasor joined the Public Management Center in 2009 and has found it to be a perfect professional home due to the PMC’s focus on leadership and organizational development in the public sector. In her time with the PMC, Noel has led the Emerging Leaders Academy and the Heartland Certified Public Manager® Program (CPM). In her current role she develops research-based curriculum that serves across the Center’s programs and provides instruction and facilitation in customized training and consulting projects. She is passionate about creating engaging, practical learning experiences and building strong networks among public service leaders.
Kayla Savage | Kansas Department of Commerce
Kayla Savage is Director of Community Engagement at the Kansas Department of Commerce. She provides engagement on behalf of the Secretary of Commerce and Lieutenant Governor with communities across Kansas for various Commerce initiatives. She also represents the Secretary on various Boards and Commissions, including the Kansas Water Authority, Kansas State Fair Board, Business Hall of Fame and the Information Network for Kansas.
