Tysie McDowell named inaugural Kauffman Uncommon Leader Visionary Award recipient

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation announced Tysie McDowell, founding superintendent of Crossroads Charter Schools, Inc., as the inaugural Kauffman Uncommon Leader Visionary Award recipient during a celebration event Sept. 24.

McDowell receives $75,000 individually and $150,000 for Crossroads Charter Schools. The Visionary Award recognizes executive nonprofit leaders whose work creates lasting, systems-level change – strengthening organizations, expanding opportunity, and improving outcomes across communities over time.

For McDowell, creating opportunity through education has meant looking beyond the walls of a single school.

McDowell co-founded Crossroads Charter Schools in 2012 with a vision for high-quality public education in Kansas City’s urban core. What began as one school serving fewer than 200 students has grown into three tuition-free public charter schools serving more than 1,100 students and families. Crossroads has also earned statewide recognition for academic performance, achieved Accreditation with Distinction and received a 10-year charter renewal.

McDowell has also helped extend learning beyond the classroom through partnerships with libraries, arts organizations, colleges, employers, and other institutions across Kansas City. Her work also includes collaboration with district, charter, higher education, and community leaders on literacy, educator development, and shared learning.

Uncommon leadership is about what you make possible for others, and Tysie McDowell has demonstrated that throughout her career. Through her leadership at Crossroads Charter Schools and collaboration across Kansas City’s education system, McDowell has expanded opportunity for students and families and helped create change that will endure well beyond her own leadership.

— Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace
President & CEO, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

One example of that broader impact is McDowell’s work with five area superintendents and community partners through SchoolSmartKC’s Literacy for All Task Force. After two years of collaboration to develop a citywide effort focused on third-grade reading, the initiative now serves more than 2,400 students in 11 schools, with a longer-term goal of reaching 8,800 students in kindergarten through third grade across Kansas City.

The Visionary Award is one of two Kauffman Uncommon Leader Awards recognizing nonprofit leadership across the Kansas City region. The Impact Award recognizes non-executive leaders driving meaningful change through their work, while the Visionary Award honors executive leaders whose sustained leadership has created enduring organizational and community impact.

McDowell was selected from six Visionary Award finalists. The other 2026 finalists are Brennan Crawford, Build WyCo; Alana Henry, Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council; Micheal Lawrence, Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City; Kar Woo, Artists Helping the Homeless; and Heidi Wooten, Safehome. The five other finalists each receive $10,000 individually and $15,000 for their nonprofit organization.

Learn more about Tysie McDowell, the 2026 finalists and the Kauffman Uncommon Leader Awards.