Mary C. Shannon, a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience, founded Connectus Worldwide in 2018, specializing in diversity consulting. She's renowned for integrating diversity into corporate practices and serves on various boards. Shannon spearheads efforts like the CEO-to-CEO Challenge to enhance supplier diversity, aiming to support local businesses with initiatives like the Supplier Diversity Playbook. Inspired by her grandmother, Shannon's commitment to diversity and inclusion remains unwavering as she expands Connectus Worldwide's influence in the Midwest.

Mary Shannon, founder of Connectus Worldwide, is praised for her dedication to diversity and inclusion in Kansas City's business scene, notably through her involvement in the CEO-to-CEO Challenge with KC Rising. Leveraging her corporate diversity expertise, Shannon emphasizes the value of diverse teams in decision-making and profitability. Her participation aims to secure contracts for her firm while spotlighting minority-owned businesses, aligning with research on the economic benefits of diversity. The CEO-to-CEO Challenge promotes collaboration with minority-owned enterprises for mutual growth and societal progress, with participants like Steve McDowell committing to diversity in their industries. By fostering these relationships, the initiative addresses income disparities and advocates for inclusivity, aiming to create a more equitable and prosperous business environment in Kansas City.

Mary Shannon, founder of Connectus Worldwide, is recognized for her efforts in advancing diversity and inclusion within Kansas City's business landscape. Through her participation in the CEO-to-CEO Challenge, initiated by KC Rising, Shannon seeks to foster partnerships between major corporations and minority-owned businesses, thereby expanding opportunities for collaboration and economic growth. With a background in corporate diversity programs, Shannon underscores the significance of diverse teams in enhancing decision-making processes and ultimately improving a company's profitability. Her involvement in the challenge not only aims to secure contracts for her firm but also to elevate the visibility of minority-owned businesses in the Kansas City area, aligning with research indicating that diverse partnerships contribute to economic prosperity.

The CEO-to-CEO Challenge, viewed as both equitable and strategic, encourages corporations to engage with minority-owned partners, recognizing the potential for mutual benefit and societal advancement. Participants like Steve McDowell from BNIM commit to actively seeking out minority-owned partners, acknowledging the imperative of greater diversity within their industries. This initiative addresses income and wealth disparities by nurturing relationships between large corporations and small minority-owned businesses, emphasizing inclusivity as a cornerstone for building a thriving community. Through such collaborative efforts, Kansas City endeavors to harness its unique strengths while rectifying past shortcomings, striving to cultivate a more equitable and prosperous business environment for all stakeholders.