What W Taught Me About Leadership & Community
By Madison Lachenmaier, 2025 Board Chair
As 2025 ends, I have been reflecting on my year as the Chair of the W – A Community of Young Professionals Board of Trustees. If you are like me, you may also find yourself thinking about your entire journey with W.
My own journey has been truly transformative. It began in 2019 when I started attending Connect events, which opened the door to Leadership Academy and Group Mentoring. Those early experiences showed me the power of meaningful connections and the importance of investing in both personal and professional growth.
From there, I joined the Leadership Academy and Group Mentoring planning committees because I wanted to help shape those experiences for others. That led me to the Develop Action Team, where I served as the Develop Chair for two years. Taking that step inspired me to join the Board of Trustees, and my time as chair elect and chair has felt like a full circle moment. Every stage of this journey has taught me something new about leadership, community, and what we can achieve together as young professionals.
What did you learn during your year as chair?
Serving as Board Chair taught me the real meaning of collaborative leadership. Progress does not come from one voice. It comes from listening, empowering others and creating space for many perspectives. This year also required me to be adaptable. Plans change, challenges come up and not everything goes the way you expect. In those moments, it is important to rely on your team and trust the people around you.
What moment best captures the spirit of the W community in 2025?
One moment that stands out is Proclamation Day for Young Professionals Week at City Hall. This was the highest attended reception at City Hall. It was an inspiring demonstration of how W encourages young professionals to connect with civic leaders, lead and create positive change in Wichita.
Another moment that stood out was our 20-year celebration this summer. Four speakers, each representing different chapters of W’s history, shared how their involvement shaped their lives. These are experiences that hundreds of volunteers and thousands of members over the years could relate to.
Their stories showed how W has helped people grow personally and professionally, become stronger civic leaders and business owners and feel more connected to Wichita. Hearing that collective impact in one room was a powerful reminder of how being involved in this group has helped both individuals and our community.
What did you learn about volunteer leadership that others should know?
Volunteer leadership is not about titles. It is about how you show up each day, even on the days that feel more challenging. It requires passion for the work and a genuine interest in helping others grow. W is filled with volunteers, alumni and mentors who share a deep commitment to connection and community. I believe this shared passion is the reason W continues to thrive.
What gives you the most excitement as you look ahead to next year?
Over the last two years there has been a strong sense of momentum and energy surrounding W. I know that will continue. I am excited to see what the action teams accomplish in the coming year. They work with dedication and push themselves to bring meaningful experiences to our members. I could not be more proud of what they achieved in 2025.
What advice would you share with the incoming Board Chair?
I am thrilled to see Dallas step into the chair role in 2026. I have seen firsthand how he leads, how he challenges others and the thoughtful and strategic way he approaches every conversation.
My advice is simple – keep challenging people, including me. There will be plenty on your plate while balancing work, family and everything else. It can be tempting to set some things aside, but staying engaged and addressing challenges directly will make all the difference. And yes Dallas, please make sure you get some sleep.
If you made it this far, thank you for reading. I am deeply grateful for all past, present and future volunteers. The past twenty years of W would not be possible without the passionate and driven young professionals in Wichita. It has been an honor to serve as a volunteer and as the Chair of the W Board of Trustees. Cheers to the next twenty years.
What would you tell someone who is thinking about getting involved with W?
Besides jumping in and getting involved, I would say to join an event that interests you. You can even bring a friend to join. W was created to help young professionals build connections, grow their leadership skills and feel more rooted in Wichita.
If you attend an event, look for our volunteers. They are excited to meet you and help you find your place. If serving as a volunteer sparks your interests, there are several ways you can get involved that match your strengths and interests. You don’t have to be an expert to join a team. You just need a willingness to learn, collaborate and contribute.
I highly recommend W to any young professional. It is where I met my husband, lifelong friends that I travel with, along with some cool, influential leaders here in Wichita. It has also been instrumental in my leadership and development skills. I believe it can be the same for anyone who is willing to take that first step.
