Startland Strengthens Leadership Team as Christina Hocker Returns to Lead a New Generation of Skill-Building Initiatives

KANSAS CITY, MO. – July 8, 2024 – Startland, a leader in entrepreneurship support and education redesign, proudly announces the return of Christina Hocker to lead the expansion of its skill-building programs.?

Hocker rejoins Startland to spearhead an expanded vision for educational initiatives aimed at equipping starters of all ages with essential entrepreneurial skills — informed by her more than 20 years of experience in the public education space and longtime commitment to fostering innovation in the classroom.?

Hocker’s career began in the Independence School District, where she grew passionate about educational reform while leading transformative initiatives for students and educators alike. Her recent experience in nurturing talent within the Lee’s Summit R-7 School District and previously at Startland as Teacher Development & School Partnerships Manager uniquely positions her to drive the organization’s mission forward as the latest addition to its senior leadership team.?

"Christina’s return is a huge win for Startland," said Julie Leonhardt, executive director. "Her dedication to innovation in education and empowering young people aligns perfectly with our vision to cultivate a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem in Kansas City. She brings talent and experience —?but also a visionary approach that will scale our skill-building programs.”

Hocker envisions a Kansas City where everyone is empowered to explore and realize their potential through hands-on learning and innovative thinking. In her new role, she will expand existing skill-building initiatives for students and educators and develop new programming for next generation entrepreneurs —?equipping them with practical business skills rooted in human-centered design thinking.?

"I am a Kansas City native and so proud of our city? —?which is why returning to Startland feels like coming home,” said Hocker. "As we expand our skill-building programs, I am dedicated to ensuring that everyone —?student to starter — has equitable access to the resources and mentorship needed to succeed as a starter, innovator, creator and in life. I am excited to collaborate with our dedicated team of innovation leaders and to enhance our educational offerings in a way that creates continued connectivity between all areas of our work and fosters a community where innovation continues to thrive."

About Startland

Startland was founded in 2015 to champion and elevate Kansas City’s entrepreneurial community. Startland News emerged as a trusted community news source, complemented by dynamic programming focused on storytelling, skill building, and generating social capital. From signature events like Startup Crawl to the launch of Startland Education in 2018, Startland remains committed to fostering innovation and collaboration within the community nearly one decade later.?

Startland’s work tackles systemic challenges that limit access to entrepreneurial opportunities, including flaws in education systems, resource accessibility, networking gaps, and barriers to market entry. By reducing these barriers, Startland aims to democratize access to innovation, driving inclusive economic growth across Kansas City.

For more information about Startland and its upcoming programs, visit startland.org.?

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