20 Under 40 | MEGAN BURTON
As the State Archivist, Megan preserves our state’s rich history by working with state agencies, elected officials, and agency leadership to develop transparency through records management. Megan protects the state’s collections to ensure access for future generations. She also partners with schools to help students learn the history of their home state.
Megan is the senior co-chair of Kansas City Area Archivists and serves as a board member of the Shawnee County Historical Society.
She is the secretary/treasurer of the Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation and she was named a Woman of Excellence in Government by the YWCA of Northeast Kansas in 2019.
What is the most valuable lesson you have learned?
It’s ok to have a path that looks a little different than your peers. I didn’t come into this profession through the traditional historian or history route. It has served me very well to have a diverse professional background.
It’s easy to get lost in the “you have to” thinking of career paths, but it’s ok to bring your own unique perspective to the table.
In fact, it’s value-added.What characteristics do you value most in your coworkers?
Creativity is key! We are faced with unique issues as a cultural heritage institution that’s also a government agency. Utilizing creativity to help problem solve is invaluable.
What motivates you?
It motivates me to think about my husband and son being proud of me. Cheesy, sure, but it’s important to me to do work that makes my family proud.
