United Way Welcomes Kara Hunt as Associate Vice President of Philanthropy

WICHITA, Kan., Oct. 14, 2025 – United Way of the Plains has named Kara Hunt Associate Vice President of Philanthropy. In this role, Hunt will lead strategies to grow and strengthen relationships with major donors, advance the organization’s planned giving initiatives, oversee United Way’s Tocqueville Society and Lead United programs, and inspire lasting philanthropic impact across south-central Kansas.

With more than 20 years of executive leadership experience, Hunt brings a proven record of advancing organizational performance, cultivating donor relationships, and leading community-wide initiatives that drive measurable results. Most recently, she served as Vice President of Human Resources for Delta Dental of Kansas, where she guided strategic HR operations, employee engagement, and community investment programs that earned statewide recognition for workplace excellence and philanthropy.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Hunt is a well-known community advocate and board leader, having served in key roles with Downtown Rotary Club of Wichita, Salvation Army, Wichita Symphony, Wichita SHRM, and The Kansas African American Museum, among others. Her work has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Wichita Business Journal’s HR Hall of Fame, the Thomas Stanley Legacy Award, and the Kansas HR Professional of the Year.

“Kara is an inspiring leader, trusted collaborator, and passionate advocate for our community,” said Gwen Kochman, United Way of the Plains Vice President of Philanthropy. “Her ability to build genuine connections and inspire generosity reflects the very heart of our mission. We’re stronger, more connected, and better positioned to create lasting impact because of the leadership and heart she will bring to this role.”

###

MEDIA CONTACT: Stacy Ward Lattin, Manager of Public Outreach and Community Engagement, (316) 267-1321, ext. 4224, swardlattin@unitedwayplains.org

United Way of the Plains mobilizes our community to action so all can thrive. From strengthening local resilience to advancing health, youth opportunity, and financial security, we’re working towards a future where every person in south-central Kansas can reach their full potential. Follow us on these social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and TikTok.