Brandi Jahnke is a fearless advocate for individuals and families working to break the cycle of poverty and create lasting change. As CEO, Brandi leads with compassion, clarity, and an unwavering commitment to the transformational impact of our programs. A Kansas City resident for 27 years now, Brandi has dedicated the past 21 years to Connections to Success, with the last three serving as CEO. In this role, she has steadily grown the organization’s reach, strengthening partnerships and advancing its proven model to serve more communities across Missouri and Kansas.
A strategic thinker and lifelong learner, Brandi is passionate about building meaningful connections, whether it’s with participants, partners, donors, or staff. She’s a strong believer in action and encourages her team to lead boldly, listen with empathy, and move forward together. One of her guiding mantras is, “If we don’t do this, who will?” It speaks to the urgency and the heart behind our efforts to overcome challenges and spark lasting, generational change.
Outside of work, you can find Brandi outdoors – hiking, camping, or exploring a new park with her family. She lives in Kansas City with her husband and two kids, and enjoys ending the day with a family dinner and a good audiobook.


