of executive leadership, innovative vision, and strategic alignment to the Central Exchange.

Courtney joined the CX team in February of 2017, and her arrival coincided with the launch of a new strategic plan for the Central Exchange, outlining our path forward from now through 2020. Over the next four years, Courtney’s leadership and vision will shape the execution strategy to deliver on our goals to: Enhance Brand Equity, Grow Membership, Focus and Elevate Programming, Upgrade Technology, and Improve our Financial Strength.

Prior to joining CX, Courtney served as the President and Chief Executive Officer at Great Plains SCPCA, Kansas City’s largest animal welfare organization. Serving in this capacity for over six years, Courtney led a staff of 160 and managed a budget of $7.8M, while growing the organization’s mission impact by over 350% and establishing new facilities on both sides of the state line. As the top executive, she set the vision and strategy for operations, marketing, fundraising and business development, while leading agency culture, human resources, and finance activities. Prior to her most recent role as CEO, Courtney spent ten years in progressively responsible leadership positions in Marketing, Public Relations, and Operations.

KC Magazine named Courtney one of Kansas City’s Top 100 influential people in Kansas City in 2013, and that same year, Courtney received the 2013 Rising Star award from Nonprofit Connect. Courtney was also the Founder and President of the Pet Animal Coalition of Kansas (PACK) and represented the state of Kansas on the Companion Animal Advisory Council for the Humane Society of the United States. She is a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator — a prestigious designation of less than 100 across the country —  acknowledging excellence in leadership, financial and operational acumen, public relations and veterinary medicine. Courtney is also is a member of the Lyric Opera Circle of Kansas City.

Outside of work, Courtney is the mother of three beautiful young children and has been married to her husband Jeff for twelve years. She loves spending time with family, practicing photography, supporting our hometown teams, and participating in civic activities that make Kansas City a better place for all of us to live.

Courtney has a strong desire to get to know our membership on an individual basis and she welcomes the opportunity for members to drop by and say hello whenever onsite for programming.

He began his professional career at Rosebud Steakhouse in Chicago. After starting a family, Peter moved to Kansas City, where he kicked off his career working as a Sous Chef for 40 Sardines. Peter climbed the culinary ladder by helping lead an opening kitchen staff for Makers Mark Bourbon House & Lounge and acted as a culinary liaison for both Vinino and McFadden’s.

Just prior to helming the kitchen at CX, Peter spent several years as a Sous Chef at Bravo Cucina Italiana. Throughout his career, he has always believed in bringing people together through good, honest food.

Outside of the kitchen, Peter rocks it with his three kids and his beautiful wife. He enjoys family time, healthy exercise, and watching his children’s various sporting events.

Bringing 15 years of culinary experience to the team, Walter joined the Central Exchange last fall after his career as a Lead Line Cook at The Majestic. His career is driven by his passion for cooking and desire to create a positive experience for everyone he connects with, either through his food or by conversation.

Outside of work, Walter enjoys spending time with his family and giving back to the community. He works with his wife to paint rocks for Raytown Rocks. Together they create community engagement by leaving the rocks around the city for the public to find.