Tracy McFerrin Foster

“I’ve always believed that public service and civic engagement provide a path to making positive change in our society,” says Tracy McFerrrin Foster, 37, vice president and secretary of the Hall Family Foundation. An associate of Hallmark since 1999, and appointed to her current position in late 2004, Foster oversees grants for economic development, community development, and higher education. One of her first duties was to address a community initiative the foundation had helped establish that had taken a new direction. “I worked with other funding sources in the community, which resulted in a multi-million dollar project focusing on the revitalization of ten urban neighborhoods in Greater Kansas City.” For Foster, a graduate of Harvard Law School, the most beneficial aspect of foundation work is it serves not just one client, but a greater good. Also active in the Urban League and Big Brothers Big Sisters, Foster says, “I like the idea of working for a company whose values and ethics are respected.”

Diane Gallagher

After more than a decade with JPMorgan Retirement Plan Services, Diane Gallagher, 39, takes satisfaction in the increase in retirement projection numbers.  As more Americans prepare to retire, she feels her work has enabled many of their dreams. “All of us in our lifetimes will encounter someone in financial trouble when they retire,” she says. “Every time we a do a good job, we are helping to alleviate that burden. Our work has a positive impact.” As the Baby Boom generation nears retirement, Gallagher’s work as a vice president at JPMorgan becomes more essential. “The most important aspect of what I do is coming up with new, innovative ways to help solve the retirement problem for our clients,” she explains. “77 million Americans are about to retire, and a lot of them aren’t ready.” Gallagher, whose middle daughter has cerebral palsy, also volunteers for the Children’s Miracle Network. When she was promoted to vice president of participant marketing in 2003, all three of her daughters surprised her with a “Congratulations Mom” cake. “That was a nice message,” she reflects. “You can celebrate everyone’s successes.” 

Stephen Gorny

The summer after his freshman year at Miami University of Ohio, Stephen Gorny was on a jog when a truck failed to yield to a red light and struck him. “I hired lawyers to help me resolve the jogging incident,” Gorny recalls. “The experience definitely shed a light on the process and what lawyers can and cannot do.” A graduate of Washburn School of Law, Gorny is also the youngest partner at Bartimus Frickleton Robertson & Gorny, a firm specializing in catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death cases. At 39, he lives in Leawood with his wife and daughter, and still enjoys an occasional jog. In fact, he completed twelve marathons in twelve states last year, and not just to stay trim. In his “12-in-12-makes-24” campaign, which he describes as “one of the most enjoyable and challenging experiences of my life,” he completed 12 marathons for a total of 314.4 miles to raise $24,000, all for the benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Of his careers both athletic and legal, he reflects, “I was too short and too slow to be an athlete. Since 7th grade, all I wanted to do was be a lawyer.”

Jennifer Haile

“I’m the eternal optimist. I find the positive in any situation,” says Jenny Haile, 37, director of human capital services for MarketSphere Solutions. In 2002, Haile and 39 fellow professionals united to form MarketSphere, a comprehensive business consulting firm. The group represents professionals from a variety of fields: finance, procurement, customer solutions, as well as Haile’s specialty, HR. She explains that her positive disposition allows her to navigate difficult situations. “In consulting, you’re brought in to deal with an issue or an upset client,” she says. “There is always a solution.” In its five year run, MarketSphere has grown from 40 people to 200, and today serves twelve markets. “I take pride as the company continues to grow based on the foundation of solid business and community values that I helped to create,” she says. “Seeing that type of aggressive growth has been fantastic.” Her community service work through the United Way and the Girls Scouts is also people-oriented. “My passion is developing the leaders of tomorrow, passing on something to the next generation.”