Full Name
Kim Vann
Job Title
Co-Founder
Company
Bright Futures
Speaker Bio
Kim is the Deputy Director at Safe and Sound Schools, a role she naturally stepped into in 2019 following her impactful tenure as Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Bright Futures USA Network. At Bright Futures USA, she successfully grew the network, collaborating with communities nationwide to connect businesses, faith-based organizations, parent groups, and human resources to meet students' needs and help them succeed in school and beyond. This foundation made her, and Bright Futures, transition to Safe and Sound Schools the perfect fit.
In her role as Deputy Director, Kim works collaboratively with the executive director, board of directors, staff, and Safe and Sound partners to advocate for and provide research-based education, tools, and resources that ensure the safest possible learning environment for students. She provides strategic and operational leadership to help the organization effectively reach every community, utilizing resources that support school crisis prevention, response, and recovery, all while prioritizing the protection of every school, every student, every day.
Kim also served as the Executive Director of Communication and Community Development for the Joplin R-8 School District, where she oversaw district communication, development efforts, and community engagement.
A past president of Soroptimist International of Joplin, Kim has received numerous accolades, including being named one of Joplin Tri-State Business Journal’s 2007 “10 Most Influential Women” and being featured in Joplin Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 and “15 People to Watch.” She is married to Joel, and together they have two children.
Prior to her work in education, Kim was the Business Development Director for the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, where she advocated for small businesses and served as a liaison between the Chamber’s members and leadership. She contributed to various programs and services supporting the Chamber’s membership and served on the US Chamber of Commerce Small Business Council for four years, as well as the American Chamber of Commerce Small Business Advisory Council.
In her role as Deputy Director, Kim works collaboratively with the executive director, board of directors, staff, and Safe and Sound partners to advocate for and provide research-based education, tools, and resources that ensure the safest possible learning environment for students. She provides strategic and operational leadership to help the organization effectively reach every community, utilizing resources that support school crisis prevention, response, and recovery, all while prioritizing the protection of every school, every student, every day.
Kim also served as the Executive Director of Communication and Community Development for the Joplin R-8 School District, where she oversaw district communication, development efforts, and community engagement.
A past president of Soroptimist International of Joplin, Kim has received numerous accolades, including being named one of Joplin Tri-State Business Journal’s 2007 “10 Most Influential Women” and being featured in Joplin Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 and “15 People to Watch.” She is married to Joel, and together they have two children.
Prior to her work in education, Kim was the Business Development Director for the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, where she advocated for small businesses and served as a liaison between the Chamber’s members and leadership. She contributed to various programs and services supporting the Chamber’s membership and served on the US Chamber of Commerce Small Business Council for four years, as well as the American Chamber of Commerce Small Business Advisory Council.
