by Therese Horvat
Special to The Leaven
OVERLAND PARK — Pam Kramer’s job as CEO of KC2026 is a match made in heaven for the Church of the Ascension, Overland Park, parishioner and Benedictine College, Atchison, alum.
It’s as if her entire career has culminated in leading the nonprofit organization overseeing strategy and performing host city duties for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Kansas City.
Kramer is drawing on her vast experience in communications, marketing and sports business and applying her collaborative approach to leadership. She has the added advantage of leaning on her faith and prayer.
At the core, Kramer explains, KC2026 has a contract with FIFA, soccer’s global governing body, to deliver host city requirements. This responsibility is both complicated and enriched because the metropolitan area encompasses two states with multiple jurisdictions and municipalities. Massive efforts have gone into coordination of hotel rooms, transportation, security, food venues, volunteers and emergency services.
Working with her KC2026 team, Kramer has cultivated extensive public and private collaboration as she oversees logistics, event planning, stakeholder engagement and marketing for this extraordinary undertaking. Maximizing the overall positive experience of players, officials, national and international guests, and area residents is job one.
Viewing this in a broader context, said Kramer, “We want this major initiative to be good for Kansas City as we strive to leverage this event into global brand visibility. Our goal is that people will return to visit Kansas City and potentially relocate here for jobs.”
Regionality and collaboration are driving principles behind Kramer’s approach.
“Demonstrating that we’re united in this endeavor is the only way we’ll succeed,” she said.
Kramer aims for transparency with no surprises and is committed to living up to her word.
Additionally, she’s fostering an environment in which everyone is comfortable sharing credit for accomplishments.
The CEO commends the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph for collaborating to offer and promote worship opportunities for visitors.
“The best thing Kansas City can do is to show our welcoming nature through hospitality toward strangers,” she said.
Stephen Minnis, president of Benedictine, knows Kramer both as an alum and as a past board member. He describes her as a visionary and a master communicator.
“Never afraid of hard work, Pam combines this with the ability to build strong relationships with people of all backgrounds,” he elaborated. “Pam is a very skilled communicator, organizer, manager and, ultimately, leader. There is no question that Kansas City chose the right person to oversee hosting the biggest sporting event in the world.”
Kramer acknowledges the power of sports to bring people together. Beyond the six matches, the hosting of base camps for four teams and the associated soccer frenzy, KC2026 is planning FIFA Fan Festival, billed as the largest, official watch party in the world. It’s scheduled outside the National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri, for 18 days from June 11 through July 11.
As the World Cup proceeds, Kramer will measure success based on matches being delivered safely and seamlessly. She’s counting on favorable outcomes as a host city to further enhance Kansas City’s global image. Finally, she anticipates renewed overall public confidence resulting from collaboration.
Kramer’s leadership approach is steeped in her belief that everyone is gifted and called in some way. She defers to St. Teresa of Kolkata who said, “I can do things you cannot; you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.”
In 2024 when Kramer was asked to lead KC2026, she knew she had the experience and the time. Plus, she had the strong support of her husband Kevin and their family.
Her faith has remained a constant source of strength over the past two years. Recognizing that she can’t control everything, Kramer has frequently prayed “Come, Holy Spirit,” “Jesus, I love you,” and the Surrender Novena.
“Pam has a deep faith that guides her in her life and that sets her apart from other leaders,” said Minnis. “And she is a lifelong learner.”
Kramer’s career path helped prepare her for the KC2026 role. While with Sprint (now T-Mobile), she developed and executed company sponsorships, including the 1994 FIFA World Cup USA and placement of Sprint’s brand on headsets of NFL coaches. Kramer went on to hold key positions with the Kansas City Chiefs, the Kansas City Current and the Kansas City Sports Commission.
While she expects to get little sleep during the World Cup matches, Kramer has her sights set on another very special goal when the games end. The first-time grandmother is anticipating holding her new granddaughter for a long, long time.
