Kauffman CEO and chief of staff visit the White House to discuss women mentoring women

Kauffman President and CEO DeAngela Burns-Wallace, Ed.D., was invited to the White House for a special event focused on women mentoring women. The Jan. 10 forum featured First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and MSNBC’s Mika Brzezinski, known for creating the “Know Your Value” community for women.

Part of the discussion, which ranged from financial security and education to Dr. Biden’s marriage and favorite emojis, was aired on MSNBC – where you can see Dr. Burns-Wallace in the front row wearing her trademark “Kauffman blue.” Alongside her is Kauffman Foundation Chief of Staff Dr. Susan Klusmeier, who accompanied Dr. Burns-Wallace as her long-time mentee.

“Mentoring is a topic close to my heart, and being at the White House alongside Susan and so many impressive women was a very special experience,” Dr. Burns-Wallace said. “It was also an inspiring reminder that the work supported by the Kauffman Foundation is so very critical to the future success of women in Kansas City.

“Dr. Biden shared her experience being a young woman without financial security, and we know that’s a common experience shared by many. Here at the Foundation, we partner with the community to rebuild systems to achieve equity and build trust for sustained and positive change. Together, we can unlock opportunity so everyone – regardless of gender, race, or income – has the opportunity to achieve financial stability, upward mobility, and economic prosperity.”

The Foundation’s grantmaking to nonprofit organizations connects students, educators, families, and entrepreneurs with practical solutions and resources – including mentorship – to realize their ambitions.

Dr. Biden, Dr. Burns-Wallace, and Dr. Klusmeier all have doctorates in education. Dr. Burns-Wallace and Dr. Klusmeier began their mentoring relationship when they worked together at the University of Missouri – Columbia (MU) in 2009.

“Mentoring is a lifelong journey. We all need mentors, and we all need to be mentors,” said Dr. Klusmeier. “That’s one of many things I’ve learned over the years working alongside DeAngela. You’re never too young to start, and you’re never too old to grow.”

Brzezinski frequently invoked the topic of age in her conversation with the First Lady, now in her 70s, who is known for completing her Ed.D. at the age of 55.

“Many women spend their 20s and 30s raising families while also growing their careers. By the time they’re in their 50s, they have acquired so much knowledge and experience – and they have more time than they did before to start something new, to take that experience and show the world what they can do with it, from going back to school to starting their own businesses,” Dr. Burns-Wallace said. “We have so much research and anecdotal stories that bear this out. Hearing a similar message while in the East Room of the White House was extremely validating.”

While a shared passion for education and financial security were highlights of the substantive discussion, there were lighter moments of connection, too. Check out our side-by-side of some quick-fire Q&A that Brzezinski played with the First Lady and we later played with Dr. Burns-Wallace and Dr. Klusmeier.