Kansas City Becomes First Spotlight City in National Civic Match Initiative
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: press@workforamerica.org | Megan Strickland | 816.766.5134
Date: Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at 4:48 p.m.
Mayor Lucas and Work for America launch new partnership to help Kansas City hire top public sector talent and respond to national workforce shifts
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – Today, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and Work for America announced the launch of the Spotlight Cities program, a first-of-its-kind national initiative designed to help cities recruit mission-driven talent, fill critical vacancies, and build stronger, more sustainable hiring systems. Kansas City is the first city in the country to pilot the program, and Mayor Lucas will serve on Work for America’s inaugural advisory board.
“As the federal government pulls back, cities have a chance to step up,” said Mayor Lucas. “Kansas City isn’t waiting. We’re creating real pathways for talented public servants to stay in service. Through our partnership with Work for America, we’re moving fast – connecting these individuals to jobs that keep our community strong and responsive.”
“Kansas City was one of the first cities to join Civic Match, and from day one, Mayor Lucas made sure federal workers knew they had a home in city government,” said Caitlin Lewis, Executive Director of Work for America. “That kind of early leadership is exactly why we’re proud to launch our Spotlight Cities program here — in close partnership with the incredible Kansas City team.”
The announcement builds on Kansas City’s early leadership as one of the first municipalities to engage with Civic Match, Work for America’s rapid-response hiring platform that connects recently laid-off federal employees with local public service roles. Earlier this year, the City hired Marc Shaw as Interim City Auditor through the Civic Match platform, signaling its commitment to bringing experienced, values-driven talent into local government.
"Kansas City’s commitment to bringing experienced public servants into local government is powerful," said Marc Shaw, Kansas City's interim Auditor.
Shaw, a previous Civic Match candidate, most recently served in a senior leadership position at the Department of State following over two decades in diplomacy. "At the local level, it’s easy to see the impact of our public service every day and that’s deeply gratifying to me. It’s a bonus that Kansas City is also my hometown, so I’m particularly vested in the success of this community."
Civic Match is supporting more than 10,500 displaced federal workers to explore new opportunities in state and local government. With more than 30,000 federal employees living in the region, Kansas City is uniquely positioned to lead this national effort to keep public servants in public service and model a modern approach to public sector hiring.
As part of the Spotlight Cities launch, Work for America is:
Hosting a workshop with 16 City employees to co-create a compelling recruitment message rooted in their real experiences;
Supporting targeted recruitment efforts in high-need departments across city government;
Organizing a Civic Match happy hour to connect displaced federal workers with local roles; and
Launching its inaugural Advisory Board, which Mayor Lucas will serve on.
Kansas City is the first of three Spotlight Cities to launch in 2025, as Work for America expands its effort to help local governments build strong teams and deliver for their communities.
About Work for America
Work for America (WFA) is a nonpartisan nonprofit working to solve the government staffing crisis by helping state and local governments recruit, hire, and retain the people they need to deliver for their communities. WFA believes that public service should be a desirable, accessible, and stable career path for Americans from all walks of life.
From launching Civic Match, a national platform connecting mission-driven talent with government jobs, to helping cities modernize hiring systems and tell a more compelling story about public sector work, Work for America is making it easier for great people to serve, and for communities to thrive.
WFA’s work has been recognized by The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and TIME for its innovative approach to rebuilding the public workforce. Learn more here.
