KC2026 Staff

A proven leader in sports business, Kramer’s career includes 16 years at Sprint, where she played an instrumental role in developing and executing many of Sprint’s most successful and pioneering sponsorships, notably the 1994 FIFA World Cup USA, the last time the global event was held in the United States. Among her accomplishments is securing the placement of Sprint’s brand on the NFL coaches’ headsets, the first sponsorship of its kind by a consumer brand.

Following her tenure at Sprint, which culminated in leading the company’s $100-million annual advertising efforts and earning the highly esteemed Sprint Chairman’s Award, Kramer joined the Kansas City Chiefs to lead business communications and advise team leadership on communications strategy. In 2021, the Kansas City Current retained her as transitional CEO during its critical start-up phase where she helped steer the organization in its development of the Kansas City Current brand and assisted launching the team onto the national stage. Most recently, she provided strategic oversight and guidance to the Kansas City Sports Commission as Fractional Chief Operating Officer (COO) before transitioning to the KC2026 team.

In his role as Digital Marketing Assistant, Victor Banda-Medina supports the KC2026 marketing team by capturing and editing event content, assisting in creating social media posts, and providing graphic design support across campaigns. He also contributes to website updates, email communications, and project coordination, ensuring that marketing deliverables are met in collaboration with internal teams and external partners.

Banda-Medina first joined KC2026 as a Marketing & Communications Intern, where he assisted with digital campaigns, social media, and community engagement initiatives. Prior to KC2026, he worked with the K-State College of Education, creating branding and design materials, managing digital content, and collaborating on cross-functional projects.

Banda-Medina earned his Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications from Kansas State University as a first-generation Hispanic college graduate. He is proud to contribute his skills as Kansas City prepares to welcome the world for the FIFA World Cup 26™.

Tony Bybee is the Director of Operations Integration and Technology for the KC2026. A seasoned technology professional with more than 25 years of leadership experience, Tony has guided organizations through complex transformations across aerospace, software, entrepreneurship, intercollegiate athletics, and professional sports. He is known for building high-performing teams, aligning technology with organizational strategy, and driving innovation that improves efficiency, engagement, and results.

Before joining the KC2026 team, Tony spent over two decades with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), where he led large-scale modernization efforts that advanced digital infrastructure, data analytics, and operational systems serving hundreds of member institutions nationwide. His vision and leadership helped position the NAIA as a forward-thinking organization that leveraged technology to enhance the experience for student-athletes and administrators alike.

Tony later served as Head of Technology for the New York Islanders (NHL), where he led technology operations and strategic initiatives across three venues: Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut; Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow, New York; and UBS Arena at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. His work focused on driving operational efficiencies and integrating technology systems to align organizational strategy with fan experience and day-to-day execution.

A collaborative and results-driven leader, Tony excels in bridging technology, operations, and business objectives. His cross-industry perspective allows him to identify and implement solutions that create value, streamline operations, and enhance performance.

Throughout his career, Tony has been committed to innovation, integrity, and operational excellence—helping organizations harness the power of technology to deliver world-class experiences and achieve strategic goals.

Mallory Cage is an accomplished event professional who, as Director of Fan Festival and Events, will bring an elevated, immersive focus to FIFA World Cup Fan Festival and Events across the region. Through her leadership, fans can engage with the excitement and energy of the FIFA World Cup™ beyond the stadiums, creating memorable moments before, during, and after the games.

With over a decade in event strategy and execution, Mallory has crafted impactful experiences for sports, community, and corporate organizations, including the Fiesta Bowl in Phoenix, Augeo Marketing, and the Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation. Her early years as a collegiate swimmer fostered a deep passion for the unifying power of sports in communities, guiding her commitment to creating inclusive, transformative events.

Mallory is currently advancing her expertise with an MBA from Duke University and holds a Bachelor’s in Print Journalism from the University of South Carolina.

Mike Goff is an accomplished business and marketing leader who recently founded Goff + Marketing, a strategic consultancy delivering C-suite-level expertise to brands locally and nationally. Prior to that, his career spanned senior leadership positions at Sprint, United Way of Greater Kansas City, Barkley, and Premier Sports Management. He’s partnered with major brands and clients including the NFL, World Cup USA 1994, Hershey, American Express, and the College Football Playoff, among others. 

Mike’s achievements include managing a top 10 U.S. brand and developing Cannes Gold Lion award-winning campaigns that delivered significant business results. His influence earned recognition from The Sporting News, which ranked him #57 on their list of 100 Most Powerful People in Sports during his Sprint tenure. He’s also received the Arthur E. Lowell Award—the Kansas City chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators’ highest honor—recognizing exemplary career accomplishments, ethical excellence, and community commitment. 

Beyond his professional success, Mike maintains strong civic involvement in Kansas City and dedicates time to mentoring emerging talent. He frequently serves as a guest lecturer, sharing his expertise with the next generation of marketing professionals. 

Brianna brings over a decade of experience in government relations and community engagement, with a focus on building cross-sector partnerships and advocating for community-driven change. In her previous role, she worked in a nonpartisan capacity with the Kansas Legislature, concentrating on higher education budget priorities and policy initiatives.

Her community engagement work spans both government and nonprofit sectors. She collaborated with the Department for Children and Families (DCF) to organize job fairs, school supply drives, and other support initiatives aimed at meeting critical needs in underserved communities. While in Richmond, Virginia, she partnered with Children’s Hospital to host a range of community events, including volunteer-led initiatives that fostered connection and support for local families.

She holds a Certificate in Community Engagement from Virginia Commonwealth University, where she completed over 500 volunteer hours focused on core principles such as community relations, institutional impact, and the historical dynamics that shape marginalized communities.

Brianna earned her Master of Education from the University of Georgia, specializing in education policy with a minor in art history. She is deeply passionate about elevating local voices, celebrating cultural identity, and creating space for community leaders to take center stage in shaping their own narratives.

In her role as Director of Project Management, Kirchhoff will serve as the hub for what Kramer has described as a “team of teams” that will deliver FIFA World Cup 26™. An Oracle Cerner (previously known as Cerner Corporation) employee since 2001, Kirchhoff began as a Project Manager before becoming a Program Manager and ended her tenure there as Senior Director of Consulting, Engagement Management. In her most recent role she provided executive leadership, strategic planning, operational execution and client relationship and risk mitigation for 100+ healthcare IT project implementations, resulting in $200M+ in revenue per year. As the KC2026 Director of Project Management, Kirchhoff will provide structure and processes for all teams who are responsible for KC2026 projects.

Leonard Lawson is an experienced project and event management professional who, as Manager of Events & Activations, helps bring the excitement of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ to life across Kansas City. Through his work, Leonard supports the planning and execution of host city events and partner activations that engage fans, celebrate community, and showcase Kansas City on a global stage. 

With more than a decade of experience in large-scale event production and brand activation, Leonard has led major initiatives for automotive and sports organizations including GMC, Chevrolet, the St. Louis Auto Show, and the Garmin Olathe Marathon. His career reflects a passion for collaboration, operational excellence, and creating meaningful experiences that connect people and brands. 

Leonard holds the Institute for Organization Management (IOM) designation and is a Project Management Professional (PMP). He is currently pursuing his MBA at Northwest Missouri State University, expected December 2025. 

Sean serves as a Transportation Specialist with KC2026, helping to plan and coordinate transportation improvements and connectivity strategies for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Kansas City. He is passionate about using data and mapping to reveal patterns that inform resilient, adaptable solutions, and he believes that the best planning is collaborative—where communities define the “why,” and planners help shape the “how.” Partain is a Transportation Planner whose career bridges public service, consulting, and large-scale event coordination, united by a commitment to creating safe, sustainable, and people-driven transportation systems. He began his professional journey at Louis Berger from 2014 to 2016, where he combined GIS analysis and planning to support a wide range of projects—from mapping for Google Fiber and developing Military Vision and Master Plans to contributing to transit initiatives like Baltimore’s Charm City Circulator and environmental documentation such as the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the FBI Headquarters relocation.

From 2016 to 2021, Sean served at the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), where he coordinated federally funded, locally led infrastructure projects that improved safety, mobility, and access throughout Missouri. His work centered on collaboration with local communities to advance meaningful, on-the-ground improvements. He then joined WSP from 2021 to 2023, focusing on multimodal corridor planning, regional mobility strategies, and federal grant pursuits—including RAISE and SS4A applications aimed at reconnecting neighborhoods and improving safety outcomes.

From 2023 to 2025, Sean worked with Olsson, where he helped lead Vision Zero Safety Action Plans, active transportation initiatives, and transit studies designed to foster safer, more connected communities. His projects emphasized data-informed decision-making, complete streets, and sustainable design principles.

Sean holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning and Design from the University of Missouri–Kansas City.

In his role as Director of Safety and Security for KC2026, Kyle Postell will be responsible for planning, development, and implementation of comprehensive safety and security strategies for the event. He brings over 13 years of experience in security operations, critical infrastructure protection, and risk management, honed during his distinguished career with the U.S. Secret Service.

Kyle’s career in security began with the U.S. Secret Service, where he held multiple key roles, including Critical Infrastructure Protection Chairman for the United Nations General Assembly. He has extensive experience in security operations, cybersecurity, and explosive detection, having led critical security measures for high-profile events and protected vital infrastructure. His expertise also includes overseeing advanced surveillance systems and managing large-scale security teams, ensuring the safety of thousands during major events.

He also spent several years as a Uniformed Division Officer on the Explosive Detection Team, providing leadership in access control, crowd management, explosive detection and emergency response for over 100+ major events.

Known for his strategic approach to risk management and his ability to coordinate complex security operations, Kyle will apply his extensive background to ensure the safety and security of KC2026, creating a secure environment for all involved in the event.

As the Manager of Safety & Security Logistics, Arjean Smith will apply her extensive experience in military operations and strategic planning to drive organizational success. With a background leading diverse teams and managing comprehensive projects, Arjean is a dedicated and accomplished professional. 

Arjean’s 32 year career in the U.S. Army prepared her for high-tempo, high-visibility environments.  

As an Army Associate Professor, she delivered over 200 hours of graduate-level instruction annually to a diverse group of domestic and international professionals. She served as the primary instructor for logistics and force management curriculum and developed specialized scenario and training programs, including a 10-hour Deployment Planning Practicum and a 24-hour Transportation Operations course. She also mentored and coached students, guiding them in achieving their professional, academic, and personal goals 

As the Director of Movement and Transportation Operations in Italy, she orchestrated comprehensive movement plans and policies to support multinational operations. She directed a diverse team of 15 joint and multinational staff personnel and coordinated strategic movements in partnership with multiple organizations, including the United States Transportation Command. Arjean also provided technical guidance and strategic analysis to leadership, enabling timely and informed decision-making in high-pressure situations. 

As an Army Operations Manager in Kansas, Arjean engineered systems to streamline processes, reducing action processing time by 25%. She also directed strategic planning initiatives to turn senior leadership vision into actionable outcomes. She served as the organizational lead planner for multiple higher echelon and Army requirements. 

In Germany, as the Director of Airlift Operations, she led and supervised a section of five, adeptly navigating complex inter-organizational barriers to build enduring relationships and a positive reputation. Known for her ability to take on the toughest jobs, she planned, coordinated, and executed the European International Fires Forum and Gala, which hosted 25 NATO Chiefs and over 100 senior military leaders. She also coordinated and planned airlift support for operations across the European and African continents and was hand-picked to lead the coordination efforts for the US Government’s support to the Ebola crisis. She quickly developed solutions to complex problems and confidently articulated strategies to senior leaders. 

Arjean’s skill set includes strategic planning, project management, logistics management, and crisis planning. She is adept at leading teams, fostering professional growth, and building enduring relationships with both internal and external stakeholders. Arjean will apply her robust background to ensure a seamless and successful event for all involved. 

In his role as Director of Marketing for KC2026, Smith will be responsible for planning, development, and implementation of the KC2026 marketing strategies. He brings more than 15 years of experience in marketing and experience as a former professional athlete. Smith’s marketing career began on the agency side where he worked with a broad group of clients including: the Las Vegas Convention and Visitor’s Authority, Wendy’s, DICK’S Sporting Goods, Intel, and Gatorade. Smith is known for effective marketing principles and building strong relationships. Most recently, he was the Director of Marketing at Dimensional Innovations where he led all MarCom initiatives, and helped drive pipeline growth year over year.

Lori Thomas serves as the Director of Volunteer Operations, where she is responsible for the recruitment, training, and management of thousands of volunteers across the Kansas City region. With a strong passion for sports, community engagement, and event coordination, Lori plays a key role in ensuring the execution of volunteer programs that contribute to the success of the world’s largest sporting competition.

Lori briefly served as President of the Kansas City Pro Volleyball team during its early stages, overseeing business operations, strategic direction, and community engagement efforts. She has 27 years of experience in collegiate sports administration, including 10 years as Commissioner of the Heart of America Athletic Conference and 16 years with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. In her NAIA role, she managed the departments of Membership, Champions of Character, Human Resources, and Championships, overseeing 23 national championship events, along with logistics, contracts, merchandising, and community engagement.

Outside of her professional career, Lori is actively involved in volunteer leadership and community service. She serves as the Executive Director/Secretary General for the United States – International University Sports Federation and has represented the U.S. at six World University Games across Asia, Europe, and the USA. Additionally, Lori serves on the board of The Keepers Legacy and the North Carolina 2029 Summer University Games Organizing Committee.

In her role as partnership coordinator for KC2026, Maria Tretinyak collaborates with Kansas City World Cup Host City Supporters and Champions to maximize value while executing sponsorship activations and hospitality deliverables. She also plays a pivotal role in stakeholder communication, sponsor event logistics in alignment with FIFA.

As Volunteer Operations Assistant for KC2026, Anna supports the planning, training, and day-to-day management of the Volunteer Program as Kansas City prepares to welcome the world.

Zacharias brings hands-on experience in marketing and operations from her time interning with the Kansas City Sports Commission, where she supported events including Camp WIN, the Kansas City Triathlon, and Big 12 Media Days. During this time, she also contributed to early-stage projects for the KC2026 team. She later returned to KC2026 as a Community Engagement and Regional Impact intern, assisting with volunteer initiatives, community events, and cross-regional coordination efforts.

With leadership experience across the game, Zacharias has served as a former soccer referee, Sporting Blue Valley and Sporting Kansas City Youth Coach, and supported match day operations with the Kansas City Current.

Zacharias is a graduate of Benedictine College where she worked with the Athletic Department Media Team, and served as lead sports photographer and produced content for social media. She is deeply passionate about the Kansas City community and is driven to create meaningful and welcoming experiences for all who visit.