August Newsletter | 1st Edition

August 18, 2026•1 min read

Introducing MOCEO's Community Partnerships Coordinator

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

I am excited to introduce Brooke Kuykendall, AICP, who has recently joined our team as MOCEO’s Community Partnerships Coordinator.

Brooke is an American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) professional with a background in community development, regional planning, grant administration, and collaborative economic development. She brings more than a decade of experience working on projects that strengthen communities and expand opportunities for residents and businesses.

In her role as Community Partnerships Coordinator, Brooke leads outreach and relationship-building efforts across North Missouri related to employee ownership and succession planning. She supports regional programming, partnership development, events, and stakeholder engagement designed to increase awareness of employee ownership as a tool for business continuity, local wealth creation, and resilient communities.

She brings not only valuable professional expertise but also a collaborative, community-centered approach to her work. We are thrilled to have Brooke on our team and look forward to the perspective, energy, and experience she will bring to our work. If you want to host an event with MOCEO in 2027, reach out to Brooke to learn more.

Sincerely,

Julie Leonhardt

Julie Leonhardt is the Executive Director of the Missouri Center for Employee Ownership (MOCEO), advancing employee ownership as a strategy for business sustainability, equitable wealth building, and community prosperity. With a background spanning law, real estate, technology, and nonprofit leadership, she brings a systems-level approach to economic development. Julie is a graduate of Westmont College and Fordham University School of Law and is based in Kansas City.

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