2023: A YEAR OF IMPACT, BY CLAIRE BISHOP
Executive director and COO - American Public Square
As 2023 comes to an end, it is hard to believe that I am approaching five years in my role as Executive Director of APS. And what a five years it has been. While that time has been forever marked in my mind by the upheaval caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, it has also been a time of profound opportunity and growth for our organization.
2023 was a year where many of our projects bore fruit, which has been tremendously gratifying for our team. The partnerships we have forged and strengthened this year have enabled us to offer our most robust season of public programming to date, with increased reach and impact in our community.
Our work with the KC Media Collective has enabled APS to play a key role in engaging communities to increase access to and trust in local news, as well as to support the growing ecosystem of nonprofit news organizations.
Diversity of viewpoints is a critical component of the work we do. I am proud that in 2023, APS and our partners produced programs that enabled community members to truly engage across their ideological differences to learn something new on topics of widespread interest including cancel culture, abortion rights and reparations.
We continue to engage the voices of young people in our community as well, through our Civics Education Initiative at the high school level. Our affiliation with William Jewell, the Critical Thinking College, has rewarded us with meaningful relationships with faculty and students, including the incredible interns we have been fortunate to work with in 2023, who have contributed so much to the organization and have great things ahead of them.
Lastly, I would be remiss to not mention the most successful Evening at the Square fundraising event in APS’ history, held December 3rd at the beautiful Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. In addition to hosting esteemed guest speakers Michael Steele, David Axelrod, and Margaret Talev, we welcomed nearly 500 sponsors and supporters for an evening of political discussion that was not to be missed.
Our APS Membership has grown in 2023 as well, with the addition of new Member-exclusive events and benefits for both Individual and Corporate Members. It is a privilege to have the support of this incredible community, and we take the responsibility that comes with it very much to heart.
In 2024, we look ahead to another year of programs that foster respectful dialogue across divides and building the “bridging capital” that our society is in need of as we head into another contentious election year. We are grateful for, and humbled by, your participation in this work.
Thank you.
Executive Director and COO - American Public Square at Jewell
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A LEADERSHIP TRANSITION
At the close of December, APS Founder, Chairman and CEO, Allan Katz, announced to the Board and APS Members his plan to transition out of the role of CEO at year end noting, "With the momentum we’ve experienced in 2023 and the staff we have in place, I believe now is the right time to make this change."
With this announcement came the notice that Amb. Katz would transition his executive management responsibilities to Claire Bishop within her role of executive director. Since joining the organization in 2019, Claire has led growth in the APS Member and donor base; led the growth and expansion of APS programming lines; navigated the organization through the unprecedented disruptions of COVID-19; and built a staff and network of supporters who are deeply passionate about the mission of APS.
"I am proud of Claire’s work and confident that she is the right person to lead us into our tenth year of programming, and beyond," Katz said in his message to APS Members.