WHO WE ARE

A native of North Carolina, Courtney holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Bryan School of Business and Economics at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. In September of 2002, she moved to Kansas City to serve as a member of the Executive Leadership Team at Wayside Waifs.

Following her successful eight-year tenure as Chief Operating Officer at Wayside Waifs, where she delivered an innovative vision and strategic focus that put the agency on the national map, Courtney led the merger of two Kansas nonprofits to form Great Plains SPCA where she served as President & CEO for over six years. Under her leadership, the budget grew by 290% and the mission impact by 350%. She expanded the organization to be the first bi-state animal welfare campus in the country and served as the Chair for the Society of Animal Welfare Administrator’s National Best Practices Committee.

In February of 2017, Courtney took the helm at Central Exchange, a 40-year-old leadership development organization for women. Within her first eight months, she delivered the first positive net income the board had seen in six years. Additionally, she developed a compelling rebranding strategy, developed a new earned income stream, grew membership by 172% and program enrollment by 24% YoY.

Courtney is a wife of 18 years, the mom of three children, and a lover of dogs, horses, and hobby photography. Believing a life of service is her true calling, Courtney also serves on the board of directors for the Big Shifts Foundation, InnovateHER KC, First Interstate Bank’s Advisory Board, and the Global Diversity and Inclusion Council for the YMCA. She is also a Fellow of the HEMP (Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program).

In her current role, Rebecca serves as Vice President of Human Resources for the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Rebecca is responsible for leading the KC Chamber’s overall human resources strategy, including talent acquisition and retention, organizational design and cultural development, employee relations, strategic planning, and overall operations for the organization. Baumgartner has worked across all departments and functions to build and manage an HR organization that reflects and supports their dynamic needs. In her most recent position, Rebecca led global diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and programs for an AM Law 100 employment law firm.

Rebecca is a Certified Diversity Executive, ICF Certified Executive Coach, and an SHRM-certified Senior Human Resources Professional. She is skilled in professional and leadership development, coaching, and the strategic planning and implementation of diversity and inclusion programs, initiatives, and efforts. Baumgartner is a proud member of CHIEF, an invite-only network focused on connecting and supporting executive women leaders.