The Kansas Sampler Foundation (KSF) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Simone Elder as the organization’s next Executive Director. Elder, a Kansas native currently living near Tribune, has been a key member of the KSF team since 2023, currently serving as its PowerUp & Engagement Manager. Throughout her tenure, she has worked closely with rural communities and businesses across the state, fostering connections and supporting vital initiatives. She’s been involved with the Kansas Sampler Foundation since 2011.
In her role, Elder has engaged extensively with PowerUps (21-39s who are rural by choice) statewide, recognizing their crucial role in strengthening rural communities. She has also been deeply involved with the We Kan! Network and Kansas Explorers Club programming, gaining invaluable insights into the organization’s ongoing efforts to preserve and promote rural communities.
The KSF Board completed a comprehensive strategic plan in 2025, laying the foundation for the organization’s future work and leadership transition. With a mission to preserve and sustain rural culture, KSF has carried out its work for over 30 years. Elder will officially assume her new role on January 1, 2026.
“I am excited to continue the mission of the Kansas Sampler Foundation into the future,” Elder shared. “Fostering the curious and supportive spirit that Marci Penner has cultivated over decades will be my guiding force as we keep exploring and supporting rural Kansas.”
Director emeritus, Marci Penner, along with longtime project manager WenDee Rowe, will continue to support the ongoing efforts of the Kansas Sampler Foundation as special project advisors. Their legacy will be further celebrated through the launch of a new online Kansas Guidebook expected in early 2026. For decades, Penner and Rowe have inspired Kansans to explore their state through guidebooks and the iconic 8 Wonders of Kansas contests and to network with peers to move their communities forward. Their dedication to rural volunteer-led communities has helped many thrive and have reinforced the idea that rural is cool.
Penner shared her thoughts on the transition: “My dad, Mil Penner, and I started the organization in 1993 to help Kansans get to know and love their own state and to create a grassroots network where small town leaders and doers could share successes with each other. With great trust, I’m excited and confident that Simone, and the staff she will build, will carry this difference-making work forward to make for a stronger Kansas.”
Board President Stacy Barnes expressed enthusiasm about the transition: “Marci and WenDee have built a remarkable legacy, and we are confident that Simone’s leadership will carry this momentum forward. We are grateful for their continued support during this exciting time.”
The bedrock of KSF’s work is the Kansas Explorers Club and the We Kan! Network. Those involved are invited to reach out to Simone by email at simone.elder@kansassampler.org to introduce yourself.