Kayla Smalley is a business relations analyst in Technology for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, where she supports cross-functional collaboration and the alignment of business needs with technology solutions across the organization. She works closely with departments to understand day-to-day processes, challenges, and opportunities for improvement, as well as provides hands-on support in implementing and […]

Editorial Manager, Public Affairs

Lacey Graverson is a senior manager – brand in Strategic Communications for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, where she works collaboratively with other Strategic Communications and Foundation staff to support the Foundation’s priorities and impact goals while contributing to a variety of program area initiatives and supporting internal communications. She manages the Foundation’s brand strategy […]

Senior Multimedia Writer & Producer, Public Affairs

Business Operations Manager, Technology

Eight readers share their risk-filled journeys, including business startups, a spontaneous COO resignation, and a single-mom pursuing a bachelor’s degree.

The legacy of the American risk-taker is born out of exploration, oppression, democracy, and the promise of the American Dream. We can conjure the images of American risk-takers from the rebels of the American Revolution, to Harriet Tubman and Harvey Milk, Sally Ride to Sergey Brin. As a startup nation founded on the risk of […]

The Risk Optimistic explores the value of risk, the opportunity of risk, and the belief that taking a chance is worth it.

The founder of Girls Who Code on how programming can teach girls to be brave and take risks.

Mr. Kauffman challenged his associates – at Marion Laboratories and at his Foundation – to take calculated risks. But what is risk for a privileged foundation? For us, it is an imperative.