Long-time education leader joins organization
United Way of Greater Kansas City recently announced the hiring of Tony Kline as its new Chief Operating Officer. For the past decade,Tony Kline has served as the Superintendent of University Academy in Kansas City, Mo. He has also served as Executive Director of the University Academy Foundation. Under his leadership, the school district was routinely recognized as one of the nation’s best by both U.S. News & World Report and Newsweek magazines and earned the prestigious National Blue Ribbon Award in 2017.
Kline previously served as the VP of Operations for a network of 28 high-performing schools in Los Angeles, and was appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger as Deputy Director of the Governor’s Initiative to Turn-Around Failing Schools in the state of California. An alum of Indiana University, Kline was named KC School Leader of the Year in 2020, a Top 100 Education Leader by the Global Forum for Educational and Learning in 2021, and to Ingram’s 40 Under 40 List in 2018.
“Tony has a strong track record of building high-performing diverse teams, leading organizations towards operational excellence, and partnering with the public and private sectors to raise funds and drive impact for historically marginalized communities across the country,” said UWGKC President & CEO Chris Rosson. “I am excited for him to play a critical leadership role in our community at the United Way.”
Kline will join the organization during the week of August 30, succeeding outgoing COO Michelle Hogerty, who has been with UWGKC since 2010. She was named Chief Operating Officer in 2012, and in 2015 was named non-profit CFO of the Year by the Kansas City Business Journal.
Kline said the opportunity to again work with Rosson—who he knew during Rosson’s tenure at Teach for America—was among the reasons he chose to accept the role.
“I am elated for the opportunity to help lead United Way of Greater Kansas City,” Kline said. “Chris is a dynamic, game-changing leader, and I cannot wait to help him implement his vision for such an important local institution.”