The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce honored Cliff Illig and Kathy Nelson as the 2025 Kansas Citians of the Year during the KC Chamber’s Annual Dinner on Nov. 25 in the Kay Barnes Grand Ballroom at the Kansas City Convention Center.
The honor recognizes both individuals' extraordinary leadership in elevating the region’s national and global profile through innovation, sports, and tourism, and their deep commitment to making opportunity and civic pride accessible to communities across the metropolitan area.
A native Kansas Citian, Illig co-founded Cerner Corporation and helped build it into one of the world’s leading health care information technology companies, creating thousands of jobs and cementing Kansas City’s place on the map as a hub for health innovation and high-tech growth. He is also a principal owner of Sporting Kansas City and a driving force behind the ownership group that revitalized the club, invested in world-class soccer facilities, and helped position Kansas City as a premier soccer city in North America. His philanthropic and civic leadership span entrepreneurship, life sciences, and education, reflecting a long-held belief that bold ideas, backed by long-term investment, can transform an entire region.
Nelson serves as President and CEO of the Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation and Visit KC, leading the teams responsible for bringing some of the nation’s highest-profile events to the region, including the 2023 NFL Draft and FIFA World Cup 26™ matches. Under her leadership, Kansas City has become a powerhouse in sports tourism, attracting NCAA and Big 12 championships, national championships, and signature events that drive economic activity while showcasing the region’s hospitality, creativity, and passion for sport. A champion for women’s sports and inclusive community engagement, she has been widely recognized as one of the most influential leaders in Kansas City sports and a trusted ambassador for the city on the national stage.
Together, Illig and Nelson have helped reshape how the world sees Kansas City, demonstrating that strategic partnerships, visionary investment, and a relentless belief in community can turn big dreams into reality. Their work has sparked new momentum for neighborhoods, small businesses, hospitality, and future generations of Kansas Citians.
The Kansas Citian of the Year Award, one of the KC Chamber’s most prestigious honors, has been given annually for the past 65 years to individuals whose civic and business leadership has brought about significant and lasting impact on the community. For more information, visit kcchamber.com.
Kansas Citians of the Year
2026 - Cliff Illig and Kathy Nelson
2024 – Peggy and Terry Dunn
2023 – Charlie Shields
2022 – Bill Berkley
2021 – John Sherman
2020 – David Warm
2019 – Al Brooks
2018 – Kay Barnes
2017 – Dr. Roy Jensen
2016 – Don Hall, Jr.
2015 – Greg Graves
2014 – Leo Morton
2013 – Phil Kirk
2012 – James B. Nutter, Sr.
2011 – Robert D. Regnier
2010 – Tom Watson and Buck O’Neil
2009 – Jeannette Nichols
2008 – Beth Smith
2007 – Bill Hall
2006 – Drue Jennings
2005 – Carol Marinovich
2004 – Jim and Virginia Stowers
2003 – Tom McDonnell
2002 – Lucile Bluford
2001 – Shirley and Barnett Helzberg
2000 – Robert A. Kipp
1999 – Emanuel Cleaver II
1998 – Jerome Cohen
1997 – R. Crosby Kemper
1996 – Ollie W. Gates
1995 – Richard C. Green, Jr.
1994 – Richard L. Berkley
1993 – Lamar Hunt
1992 – Anita Gorman
1991 – David Stanley
1990 – Adele Hall
1989 – Jay B. Dillingham
1988 – Jack W. Steadman
1987 – Irvine O. Hockaday, Jr.
1986 – Ewing M. Kauffman
1985 – William N. Deramus III
1984 – Paul H. Henson
1983 – Rev. M.E. VanAckeren, S.J. and John H. Kreamer
1982 – William H. Dunn
1981 – Robert A. Long
1980 – Robert H. Gaynor
1979 – William P. Harsh
1978 – Henry W. Bloch
1977 – Charles E. Curry
1976 – Jerome A. Smith and Everett P. O’Neal
1975 – Morton I. Sosland
1974 – Dutton Brookfield
1973 – Charles N. Kimball
1972 – Donald J. Hall, Sr.
1971 – Bert Berkley
1970 – Ilus W. Davis
1969 – Miller Nichols
1968 – John A. Morgan
1967 – George E. Powell, Jr.
1966 – Elmer Pierson
1965 – Frank A. Theis
1964 – Arthur Mag and John B. Gage
1963 – J.C. Higdon
1962 – William N. Deramus, Sr.
1961 – Joyce C. Hall
1960 – Roy A. Roberts
