The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce Cliff Illig and Kathy Nelson as the 2025 Kansas Citians of the Year, recognizing their 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.
Illig, a native Kansas Citian, 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 Chamber’s most prestigious honors, is given annually to individuals whose civic and business leadership has brought about significant and lasting impact on the community. Past Kansas Citians of the Year include Peggy and Terry Dunn, Charlie Shields, Bill Berkley, John Sherman, David Warm, Alvin Brooks, Mayors Kay Barnes and Carol Marinovich, Don Hall, Jr., Ewing Kauffman, Lamar Hunt, Anita Gorman, Buck O’Neil, Lucile Bluford, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, and Jim and Virginia Stowers, among others.