Category: News

TOPEKA, Kan. — After an extensive national search conducted by executive search firm Winner Partners, the Greater Topeka Partnership is proud to announce that Molly Howey has been selected as the organization’s new Chief Executive Officer. Howey, a seasoned economic development leader and longtime executive with the Partnership, will officially assume the role on August 4, 2025. “Molly’s leadership, passion, and vision for the future of Topeka and Shawnee County make her the ideal person to guide the Partnership into its next chapter,” said Dr. Shekhar Challa, Chair of the Greater Topeka Partnership board and CEO of Kansas Medical Clinic. “She has spent more than a decade delivering transformational economic… Read More

Continue Reading

Downtown Topeka Inc. is proud to announce the selection of Andrew Holt as its next President. Holt brings more than a decade of experience in downtown development, strategic leadership, and community engagement to the position, most recently serving as Executive Director of Downtown Lawrence Inc. since 2023. Prior to his work in Lawrence, Holt led the Downtown Association of Yakima, Washington for six years, and served as Director of the Dayton Chamber of Commerce in Dayton, Washington. He will officially step into the role on July 9, 2025. “We are thrilled to welcome Andrew Holt to the helm of Downtown Topeka Inc.,” said Sean Dixon, Interim President of Downtown Topeka… Read More

Continue Reading

The Greater Topeka Partnership is proud to announce that it has selected Winner Partners, a nationally recognized executive search and recruitment firm, to lead the search for its next Chief Executive Officer. Headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida, Winner Partners is a certified executive search firm with offices across the country specializing in serving nonprofits, public-private partnerships, and privately owned organizations. Winner Partners brings together elite search consultants and industry-leading subject-matter experts to deliver thoughtful and impactful leadership placements. The CEO search will be guided by a search committee led by Dr. JuliAnn Mazachek, President of Washburn University and a longtime champion of regional economic development. Dr. Mazachek will work closely… Read More

Continue Reading

After nearly a decade of transformational leadership in Topeka, Matt Pivarnik, CEO of the Greater Topeka Partnership (GTP), has announced that he will be leaving the organization to assume the role of President and CEO of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce (MBACC) in Myrtle Beach, SC. The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce encompasses Partnership Grand Strand and Visit Myrtle Beach. Pivarnik’s final day with the GTP will be May 18, 2025. Pivarnik arrived in Topeka in 2016 as the CEO of the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce. Under his leadership, Topeka witnessed a historic era of collaboration, economic revitalization, and community growth. He played a pivotal role… Read More

Continue Reading

This winter, the magic of the holiday season will come alive in Topeka with the launch of Topeka Jingle Days! Presented by Visit Topeka and AIM Strategies, the exciting new initiative is designed to encourage both locals and visitors alike to immerse themselves in our vibrant array of winter holiday traditions for the chance to win a prize package valued up to $600. Topeka Jingle Days unites 11 local winter traditions and attractions under one exciting holiday activation. The activation invites locals and visitors to spend time at events like Miracle on Kansas Avenue, Zoo Lights, TARC’s Winter Wonderland, SLI Festival of Trees, and more. Pick up a Jingle Days… Read More

Continue Reading

Downtown Topeka Inc. is preparing for a festive holiday season! Its 2024 holiday window-decorating contest is back, with voting kicking off Dec. 1. Meanwhile, Topeka’s Miracle on Kansas Avenue parade is set to return downtown on Saturday, Dec. 7 for a spectacular evening of holiday cheer and memorable moments, including special performances and the official arrival of Santa. The parade-day fun will kick off early this year, with inflatables and carolers along the avenue in the afternoon for families to enjoy. Downtown businesses, from restaurants to retailers, are encouraged to take part in downtown’s holiday window-decorating contest, which is now in its fifth year. They may do so by creating… Read More

Continue Reading

The Greater Topeka Partnership and Washburn University, in consultation with Forge Young Talent, are excited to announce a strategic collaboration designed to encourage Shawnee County employers to “Hire Local.” The new Hire Local campaign invites area employers to create accounts on Handshake, a platform that connects college students and graduates with company recruiters. The initiative urges local employers to strongly consider Washburn graduates when hiring for key positions. “This is a big step toward better engaging employers in the area and keeping talented young people here in the community after they graduate,” said James Barraclough, director of Washburn’s Career Engagement Office. “We are excited for this collaborative effort with the… Read More

Continue Reading