Proactive Planning is Your Power: A Nonprofit Strategy Session | Connext

_{Xavier Montenegro - Major, Kansas City Area Commander, The Salvation Army}

Major Xavier Montenegro currently serves as Area Commander of The Salvation Army’s work across the greater Kansas City area. In this role, he provides leadership and vision for The Salvation Army’s operations in the region, including oversight of eight local church and community centers (known as “corps”) and a broad range of social service programs. Xavier works closely with a team of staff and officers to lead strategic planning efforts and manage the regional budget. He also collaborates with the local advisory board and serves as the public face of The Salvation Army in Kansas City.

Before entering full-time ministry with The Salvation Army, Xavier worked with gang-involved youth in the Chicago suburbs, provided crisis intervention, and counseled families. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master of Social Work from the University of Illinois at Chicago, as well as a Master of Christian Formation from North Park Theological Seminary. Xavier and his wife, Heather, have been married for 21 years. Together, they have served in various roles in their 17 years with The Salvation Army, including leading local church and community centers in Nebraska and Illinois, teaching at the training college, and working in regional leadership in Chicago. Xavier is a passionate fan of the Chicago Bears and Cubs, enjoys reading historical biographies, stargazing, and failing at golf. He treasures time with his three children: Xavi (19), Hannah (16), and Lucas (12).

Terri E. Barnes - Founder & President, The Nia Project Kansas City

An advocate for black girls and women, Terri is the Founder and President of The Nia Project. The Nia Project advocates for, celebrates, invests, and reimagines possibilities for black girls and women. For more than 15 years, Terri served as Co-Founder and President of Trace’s Place – A Community Resource for Girls and Women, an organization that focused on mentoring and personal development. She served 12 years as President and served for more than 22 years as a volunteer at the W.E.B. DuBois Learning Center. These two experiences provided up close and personal challenges that young people and families face, particularly girls, in simply trying to live their best lives.

The Nia Project is a way for her to commit her time and resources to be part of a solution. Terri is the convener of Black Women Get Fit, a series of health & wellness events led by local practitioners and designed specifically for Black women. She is also the convener of the Black Nonprofit Leadership Symposium and creator of The Beloved Community – A Black Nonprofit Resource Directory. Terri is a founding member of the Contending for Children Initiative, a faith-based response to illiteracy and mental health support for children, and is the Chair of the Mayor's Commission on Reparations.

With more than 35 years of progressive leadership experience in financial service and healthcare organizations, Terri has a wide range of skills and expertise that have proved valuable in the work she does today. A lifelong Kansas Citian, she received her undergraduate degree in Business Management from Park University. Terri is married to Lee Barnes Jr. and has a brilliant son, Lee Barnes III, who currently works and resides in New York. In her spare time she enjoys live music, exploring new restaurants and supporting efforts to help improve the living conditions of people in our most challenging communities, and uplifting the leaders and organizations that serve them.