Capper Foundation Names Successor to President & CEO
Capper Foundation, whose mission is to build abilities and empower people of all ages living with disabilities, has completed a search for a President and CEO. Last summer the current President and CEO, Jim Leiker, announced plans for his retirement on January 16, 2022, after leading the non-profit organization for the past 29 years.
Capper Foundation Board of Trustees conducted a national search for Leiker’s replacement and has successfully engaged a local candidate. We are pleased to announce that Zach Ahrens will orient to his new role and officially become President and CEO beginning January 17, 2022. “Zach brings passion, experience, and extensive knowledge of the health services sector, strategic planning, financial management, fundraising, marketing, legislative advocacy, and many other skills to his new role at Capper Foundation,” said Judith Kooser M.D., Board Chair of Capper Foundation. “We are excited to have Zach join us in continuing to provide high quality services to families in our communities with disabilities.” His past involvement in the Topeka community, including serving on the Capper Board in 2016 - 2017, enhances his understanding of the importance of Capper Foundation to the over 2,000 families served by pediatric therapies and adult day/residential programs. Ahrens’ local leadership included his prior work as President and Publisher of The Topeka Capital-Journal, former Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Midland Care Connection, Inc., and his most recent position as the Chief Operating Officer of Midland Care.
Ahrens, age 41, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Theory from York College (York, NE), a Masters of Business Administration degree from Pittsburg State University (Pittsburg, KS), and is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives. “I am very excited to be joining Capper Foundation,” said Ahrens. “I’m humbled at the opportunity to support and grow Capper’s rich legacy that believes in people and an environment where they can develop their full capacity. I look forward to meeting the staff, volunteers, donors, community partners, and persons and families served by Capper Foundation.”
Capper Foundation serves people of all ages with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities from 44 cities and 16 counties across Kansas. Specialized therapy services, care and support have been provided to several hundreds of thousands since its founding by Senator Arthur Capper on Christmas Day in 1920 and now celebrates over 100 years of service to the disability community. His living legacy continues to be a great gift to our Kansas communities, giving hope to many.
