by Jill Ragar Esfeld
jill.esfeld@theleaven.org
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — It sounds like a logistical nightmare, organizing a city to host one of the biggest events in its history.
But for Maria Tretinyak and Anna Zacharias, it is a job they delight in putting on their resumes.
Both graduates of Benedictine College in Atchison, Zacharias was raised at St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Leawood, and Tretinyak, a native of Wisconsin, is a member of St. Ann Parish in Prairie Village.
Both are part of an elite team known as KC2026, the nonprofit created to coordinate, plan, construct and implement all aspects of the regional effort around hosting this year’s FIFA World Cup.
Using skills they learned at Benedictine, they’re helping turn Kansas City into a vibrant, entertaining and safe community ready to host as many as 650,000 visitors from around the world.
And their Catholic faith is at the core of their motivation to welcome the stranger and promote the values of the city they love.
“I think a very seamless way to implement the love of Christ into what you do is through genuine service to others,” said Zacharias. “And as I’ve left Benedictine, as I’ve stepped into the workforce, I think, ‘How can I be of service to those around me?’”
Kansas City hospitality
KC2026 oversees logistics for six matches at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, manages the 18-day FIFA Fan Festival at the World War I Museum and KCHouse in Kansas City, Missouri, the primary hospitality venue for global leaders, civic stakeholders and business partners.
Tretinyak was part of the Raven Dance Team at Benedictine and said that made her a “fan of all sports.”
She also has a sister and five brothers.
“All my brothers play soccer,” she said. “So, I’ve definitely been around soccer a lot in my life, but I just love cheering on all sports.”
In her role as partnership coordinator, Tretinyak collaborates with Kansas City World Cup Host City supporters and sponsors while playing a pivotal role in stakeholder communication and sponsor-event logistics in alignment with FIFA.
“We’re a small team,” she said of KC2026. “So, we always say we all move boxes, but I focus on our partners that are helping to make this event possible and everything we promised them in their contracts.”
The fact that an event of this size and scope has never been done before in Kansas City is exciting, but also stressful because there is no precedent.
“You’ve just got to step up to the task and set the structure and operate within it,” said Tretinyak. “I’m definitely an organized person and I like structure, so it’s been an interesting challenge.”
Tretinyak is looking forward to helping entertain national and international business executives.
“Their investments in KC2026 are making all the World Cup operations possible,” she said. “This is a great time to entertain those clients and really show them what Kansas City’s about.”
Tretinyak has the unique opportunity to help visitors experience the city she has grown to love since moving here for college.
“I feel like I’m one of Kansas City’s biggest fans, and I just love sharing with people what makes it so special,” she said. “What we really focus on is making sure that we’re paying attention to details so when folks are here, they’re really getting that genuine Kansas City experience.”
Once in a lifetime
Zacharias graduated from St. James Academy in Lenexa before attending Benedictine.
She has not only played soccer for most of her life, but she also started refereeing at the age of 12 and has helped coach young soccer players.
As the volunteer operations assistant for KC2026, Zacharias supports the planning, training and day-to-day management of the volunteer “host city ambassadors” that will welcome the world to Kansas City.
“And so, we are really focused on helping train those volunteers and assisting them throughout their shifts while the tournament is going on,” she said.
Not a small task, considering the number of volunteers needed in Kansas City is about 3,500 to assist in a multitude of areas, including transportation, the airport, Fan Fest and media operations.
“[Volunteers] are spread all throughout the city,” said Zacharias. “But really it’s just that welcoming face, greeting fans, leading them to where they need to be.”
Zacharias has enjoyed being on the volunteer side of the event.
“It’s been very cool to meet these volunteers and see how excited they are about being that shining face for Kansas City,” she said. “Some of them were interested because of their love for the game, whereas others love serving this community and really want to be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime moment.”
In addition to providing volunteers with insights into the many cultures coming to Kansas City, Zacharias hopes to share her gratitude for their service.
“Letting them know that we need them and we love their spirit [is key],” she said. “And we hope that spirit continues throughout the games and reflects who we are as Kansas City.”
Both Zacharias and Tretinyak thank Benedictine for setting them up for success in their jobs with KC2026
“I always like to say I want to lead people closer to God, not by directly sharing my beliefs, but just by the way I live,” said Tretinyak. “I hope that’s reflected in my work.
“We want this event to go well, and that’s only going to be done if we’re caring for one another like God would want us to.”
