Esther George to conclude Board service after nine years; Susan Chambers to serve as next Chair

Esther George was elected to the Board in March 2017 and named Chair in December 2022. During her time on the Board, she helped guide the Foundation through the COVID-19 pandemic, led a CEO search, and supported a strategic refresh direction designed to sharpen the Foundation’s impact in making Kansas City a national model for economic mobility.

Esther George’s leadership came at a pivotal moment for the Kauffman Foundation. She brought steadiness and rigor during transition, and deep care for this institution and its mission. On behalf of the entire Foundation, I am profoundly grateful for her stewardship, her wisdom, and the way she strengthened our Board’s culture for years to come.

— Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace
Kauffman Foundation President and CEO

A retired president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, George spent more than 40 years at the Kansas City Fed and served on the Federal Open Market Committee. Her experience in regional and national economic policy, financial oversight, and workforce development proved invaluable as the Foundation navigated pandemic-related disruption and volatile market conditions.

As Chair and previously as a leader of key committees, including the CEO Search Task Force, Governance Committee, and Compensation Committee, George helped ensure the Board met one of its most important responsibilities: selecting executive leadership and setting a long-term course aligned with the Foundation’s mission. She also played a central role in welcoming new Trustees and modeling strong governance practices grounded in accountability and inclusion.

“Serving on the Kauffman Foundation Board has been one of the great honors of my professional life,” George said. “This institution carries forward Ewing Kauffman’s belief in the transformative power of investing in community, and I am proud of how the Board has worked to strengthen its governance and clarify its strategic focus.”

George, a Missouri native, serves on local and national boards for organizations including Hallmark Corp., KC 2026, American Public Square, the Peterson Institute for International Economics, National Bureau for Economic Research, and the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. She was recently named to the 2025 NACD Directorship 100 by the National Association of Corporate Directors.

Her professional career has been defined by disciplined leadership and public service – qualities that shaped her tenure at the Foundation.

Stepping into the role of Chair is Susan Chambers, an accomplished executive with deep Kansas City roots and extensive experience leading large, complex organizations. Chambers previously served as executive vice president and chief human resources officer at Walmart, where she oversaw talent, culture, compensation, and human resources strategy for more than 2 million associates worldwide.

Chambers joined the Kauffman Board of Trustees in 2018 and also served as interim president and CEO of the Kauffman Foundation from September 2022 to August 2023, giving her firsthand knowledge of the organization’s operations and strategic priorities.

“Strong governance is about stewardship, and Esther exemplified that by holding fast to mission, asking disciplined questions, and ensuring that today’s decisions position the Foundation for long-term impact,” Chambers said. “We will continue to build on that disciplined foundation, ensuring our commitment remains strong, our strategy remains clear, and our service to community continues to grow.”

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