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Kansas City Honors Student Entrepreneur of the Year

Kansas City awards ceremony honoring student entrepreneurs

News Summary

Kansas City recently celebrated Grace Kertz from UMKC, who received the Student Entrepreneur of the Year award for her innovative project Sensory Sync. This AI-powered platform aims to support neurodivergent employees by addressing sensory sensitivities in the workplace. Kertz’s journey began from personal experiences, leading her to create positive changes for inclusivity. The awards ceremony also recognized other local entrepreneurs for their impactful contributions to the community. This celebration of innovation highlights the importance of equitable and inclusive work environments.

Kansas City Celebrates Innovation with Student Entrepreneur of the Year Award

Kansas City is buzzing with excitement as it recently honored a standout student from the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC). Grace Kertz has been awarded the prestigious title of Student Entrepreneur of the Year during the annual UMKC Henry W. Bloch School of Management awards ceremony. This is no small feat, as Kertz is making waves with her revolutionary project, Sensory Sync.

Empowering Neurodivergent Employees

So, what exactly is Sensory Sync? Well, it’s an AI-powered platform designed specifically to support neurodivergent employees within the workplace. In today’s fast-paced corporate world, being consciously aware of diversity, equity, and inclusion is more important than ever. Sensory Sync stands as an enterprise-grade DEI and wellness platform that helps companies understand and address sensory sensitivities that many employees, especially those who are neurodivergent, face every day.

This innovative platform works by providing daily check-ins through an AI chatbot, which helps employees pinpoint their sensory triggers and facilitates self-regulation strategies. Moreover, Sensory Sync anonymously collects data to highlight common workplace stressors while keeping employee privacy intact. This ensures that companies can spot patterns leading to workplace stress without invading individual privacy—an essential balance in today’s workplace environment.

A Personal Journey Fuels Innovation

Kertz’s motivation behind creating Sensory Sync runs deep. She was inspired by her brother’s struggles with sensory overload in various work situations, a challenge that resonates with many autistic adults. The challenges her brother faced opened Kertz’s eyes to a prevalent issue and drove her to create solutions aimed at improving the workplace experience for neurodivergent individuals.

Grounding Herself in Entrepreneurship

While Kertz has a strong background in marketing, she initially felt hesitant to dive into the entrepreneurial world. However, she’s discovered that her educational experience in marketing complements her entrepreneurial aspirations beautifully. Her journey began with UMKC’s Enactus program, where she took the initiative to lead a project focused on donating surplus food to shelters—an inspiring foundation for her entrepreneurial spirit.

In addition to her work on Sensory Sync, Kertz founded Attuned Wellness, a campus organization dedicated to promoting student health and well-being. Her drive to create positive change within her community is undeniable, and her plans don’t stop here. Kertz is gearing up to study abroad at the University of Mannheim in Germany, where she aims to further develop her platform while gaining a global perspective on entrepreneurship.

A Celebration of Entrepreneurship

Kansas City wasn’t just celebrating Kertz’s achievements. The awards ceremony also spotlighted Natasha Herdman, who received the Marion and John Kreamer Award for Social Entrepreneurship. Herdman has been making a significant impact through her initiative, Pawsperity, which aims to combat poverty by providing dog grooming education. Her program has successfully trained over 156 graduates, boasting an impressive 96% job placement rate since it launched in 2016.

Additionally, Kansas City entrepreneurs Brett Gordon and Pat McCown were recognized as Kansas City Entrepreneurs of the Year and were also inducted into the UMKC Entrepreneur Hall of Fame. Their company, McCownGordon Construction, founded in 1999, has made a remarkable mark on the region with over 250 completed projects. The company recently completed a significant transition to 100% employee ownership in 2018, which highlighted their commitment to teamwork and integrity.

Moving Forward

Kertz and her fellow award recipients exemplify the spirit of innovation and community involvement that Kansas City cherishes. As Grace Kertz continues her journey with Sensory Sync, the future looks bright, not just for her, but for all neurodivergent individuals hoping to thrive in inclusive work environments. With the right support and understanding, workplaces can become more accommodating and welcoming, ensuring everyone can shine their brightest!