Ingram’s magazine will soon recognize and award Local Heroes for their extraordinary philanthropic giving and volunteerism work throughout our region. United Way of Greater Kansas City is thrilled to announce Dana Jermain is among this year’s recipients. Dana is an active member of United Way’s Women United, Tocqueville Society, and is our Board of Trustees vice chair. Jermain will formally be recognized during the Philanthropist of the Year Awards Luncheon on December 20th in Kansas City, Mo. Several United Way corporate partners and donors are also among this year’s award recipients.
2024 Honorees include:
Philanthropist of the Year | Bob Regnier
Local Heroes:
Evelyn Craft Belger
Millie & Mike Brown
Monica Curls
Sean Hurley
Dana Jermain
Gail Snyder
Phil Thomas
Corporate Champions:
Creative Planning
HCA Midwest Health
Hunt Midwest
KPMG
Mariner
McCownGordon Construction
UMB Bank
UnitedHealthcare
Read United Way’s nomination of Ms. Jermain below:
Dana is an intelligent and exceptional leader in our local business community. She has spent her entire career at Deloitte in Kansas City, working her way through the ranks from a staff accountant to her current role in executive leadership as a managing partner in a male-dominated field. Dana is trusted & respected by peers in her field, having received the Missouri Society of CPAs Women-to-Watch Emerging Leaders Award, and being selected by colleagues to serve in leadership roles with the Missouri Society of CPA Executives. Professionally, Dana also serves with the Assoc. of International Certified Professional Accountants.
Beyond corporate prowess, Dana Jermain is a devoted public servant and philanthropist. For 12 years, Dana has been deeply invested financially and through volunteer service to the United Way of Greater Kansas City. She was a founding member of United Way’s Women’s Leadership Council, which has now transformed into Women United–a collective of women from across the six-county region under the auspices of United Way of Greater Kansas City, who commit to investing $1000+ annually, participate in numerous volunteer opportunities, and facilitate an annual fundraising event benefiting early childhood education. Dana has shared, “I loved the idea of women mentoring other women to be philanthropists so I became one of the Founding Members, since it was a perfect pairing of my two passions: philanthropy and mentorship.”
Evidenced by her deep investments in the community, Dana’s especially passionate about helping underserved youth and spurring the potential of all kids, which contributed to the mission focus of Women United–early learning and literacy.
Her financial commitments extend well beyond the minimum investment of Women United membership. She and her husband Scott are also members of United Way’s Tocqueville Society, which requires a minimum $10,000 in household giving to United Way. The Tocqueville Society is currently celebrating its 40th year in Kansas City. Its members, like Dana Jermain, are deeply invested not only by virtue of their finances, but also in advocacy and in encouraging peers to join them in their philanthropic endeavors to drive meaningful change in our community.
Beyond her incredible impact at United Way, Dana’s commitment for a better Kansas City extends even further. She was also a founding member with Center Stage for Young Professionals at Starlight Theater. She has served as a “big” with Big Brothers, Big Sisters and been a part of its board of directors in Kansas City, currently serving as board treasurer.
Her desire to improve the educational wellbeing of metro kids has been especially apparent in her home community in Cass County. Dana’s spent many years on the board of the Raymore-Peculiar Public School Foundation. She’s played a key role in helping the foundation provide support and volunteer time to the school district of approximately 6,500 students. Dana created and led the inaugural Ray-Pec ‘You Matter Night’, which was a concert by teens for teens to support mental health. She helped lead the district’s Good Neighbors, Strong Community conference multiple years and helped promote the Big Brothers Big Sisters program within the school district along with spearheading and assisting in countless fundraising initiatives.
Her sincerity, kindness, love and compassion carries over to family life as a dedicated wife and mother.
Dana’s heart to make Kansas City a better place shines through her work in the corporate world and her service in the community. She exemplifies the very best of our region’s leaders and is a shining example for the next generation. Dana is unquestionably deserving to be honored as a Local Hero.