Two new trustees join the board to advance 2035 vision for equitable economic mobility

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation welcomes two new members to its Board of Trustees: Aimée Eubanks Davis and Kristen Ludgate. The newly appointed leaders bring deep experience, community focus, and a shared commitment to creating a more inclusive economy, aligning closely with the Foundation’s 2035 vision to drive equitable economic mobility in Kansas City and beyond.

The addition of the new Trustees is a critical step in ensuring broad perspectives in grantmaking and community partnerships from leaders with national experience in fields that span education, workforce development, and business ownership.

We are thrilled to welcome Aimée and Kristen to the Kauffman Foundation board. They bring unique strengths and proven leadership to help advance the Foundation’s strategic priorities for college access and completion, workforce and career development, and entrepreneurship. Their voices will be critical in ensuring our work reflects the aspirations and needs of the communities we serve.

— Esther George, Kauffman Foundation Board of Trustees Chair

Meet the new trustees

Aimée Eubanks Davis is the founder and CEO of Braven, a national nonprofit dedicated to closing the education-to-employment gap for underrepresented college students. A Chicago native and former sixth-grade teacher, Eubanks Davis has led Braven to serve thousands of students through partnerships with higher education institutions and employers across the country. Her extensive experience in human capital, education equity, and talent development reflects a deep alignment with the Foundation’s goals in education and workforce pathways.

Kristen Ludgate most recently served as chief people officer at HP Inc., where she led global talent, culture, and inclusion strategies for one of the world’s most recognized technology companies. Her career has spanned leadership roles in human resources, law, communications, and philanthropy, including as president of the 3M Foundation and executive vice president of HR at 3M. Ludgate is a passionate advocate for inclusive leadership and the future of work, and she brings expertise in organizational transformation and employee development.

The addition of these new trustees reflects the Foundation’s continued investment in leadership that champions the communities it serves. Rooted in a legacy of community empowerment, the Kauffman Foundation is focused on supporting equitable economic mobility through three areas prioritized because of their anticipated power to create change: college access and completion, career development, and entrepreneurship.

Selected through a highly competitive national search led by CBIZ Talent Solutions, Eubanks Davis and Ludgate were elected to a three-year term on a board of 12 trustees, each bringing deep expertise in fields related to the Kauffman Foundation’s focus on economic mobility for all.

Aimée and Kristen represent the next generation of values-driven, community-minded leaders who understand what it takes to turn opportunity into impact. We’re honored to have them join us at this pivotal moment in our journey.

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

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