Kayla Bitler-Loschke | YWCA Women of Excellence
Kayla Bitler-Loschke
Senior Vice-President of Strategy
Greater Topeka Partnership
Kayla was born and raised in rural Eureka, Kansas. Farm animals and 4-H were very much a part of her outdoor lifestyle. Kayla graduated concurrently from Hamilton High School and Butler Community College in 2006, before moving to Topeka to attend Washburn University. Subsequently, Kayla graduated with honors from Washburn University with a Baccalaureate Degree in Business Administration. During this time, Kayla found herself drawn to tourism, and spent ten years working in the Hospitality Industry, most recently as the General Manager of the Holiday Inn Express on Wanamaker and Director of Regional Operations for Maple Management. Through her work in the tourism industry, Kayla was involved with the Downtown Plaza effort. It was this project that inspired Kayla to pursue a career in Community Development. When she learned of the Momentum 2022 Strategy, she immediately knew that she wanted to be involved. Kayla now leads the Momentum 2022 Strategy for the community, focusing her efforts on making Topeka a place where people want to live, work, and play. She is married to her best friend, Jay, and is the proud mother of two active boys, Easton and Jaxon.
TK: What inspires you?
KAYLA: I’m inspired by my kids. Their youthful enthusiasm reminds me daily that life is beautiful and exciting, and that our opportunities are endless.
TK: What advice do you have for others?
KAYLA: My favorite piece of advice is a quote often attributed to Robert Herjavec: “Someday isn’t a real day like Monday or Tuesday; it’s just another word for never.” Your dreams deserve better than “someday”… give them a deadline.
TK: What is the greatest lesson you have learned on your journey?
KAYLA: Sometimes you have to be a quitter. Quit trying to please everyone, fearing change, living in the past, putting yourself down, and overthinking.
The YWCA is on a mission to empower women at all stages in their careers. Diversity in leadership is particularly vital to our vibrant business community in the Greater Topeka Area.
The YWCA is celebrating 31 years of recognizing Women of Excellence in our community with the theme “Dare to be Powerful.” We dare to be powerful, despite whatever obstacles may present themselves along the way.
“When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.”
- Audre Lorde
