Solissa Franco-McKay Executive Director Solissa Franco-McKay is executive director for Real World Initiatives (ProX) for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Reporting to the chief of staff, Franco-McKay provides leadership and implement policies and programs to ensure the Real World Initiative affiliate programs create learning opportunities for students through connections with local businesses, in alignment with the Foundation’s vision and strategic priorities. Prior to joining the Foundation, she served as executive director for the Kansas City Public Schools Education Foundation where she led initiatives and fundraising efforts to support educational opportunities for KCPS students. Earlier, Franco-McKay spent 10 years leading career and alumni engagement strategy for Kauffman Scholars, Inc., the college access and scholarship program created by the Foundation that sunset operations in 2023 after 20 years of serving students. An active member of the Kansas City community, Franco-McKay is an alum of the Centurions Leadership Program of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, serves as a mentor for the UMKC Avanzando program, and is a board member for Nurture KC. Franco-McKay earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in middle school education, and her Master of Arts in educational administration from the University of Missouri – Kansas City.