Rise & Lead
Her Journey. Her Passion. Her Success
Dr. Amy Patel - Panelist
Medical Director | The Breast Care Center at Liberty Hospital
Dr. Amy K. Patel is a board-certified radiologist specializing in breast imaging and serves as Medical Director of The Breast Care Center at Liberty Hospital, a part of The University of Kansas Health System. She is also a Full Member of The University of Kansas Cancer Center and Clinical Associate Professor of Radiology at The University of Kansas School of Medicine.
A nationally recognized leader in radiology, Dr. Patel is passionate about mentorship, advancing women in medicine, breast health policy, and improving access to care. She has held leadership roles with the American Association for Women in Radiology, American College of Radiology, and American Cancer Society National Breast Cancer Roundtable, and has helped advance multiple pieces of Missouri legislation expanding breast imaging coverage.
Her leadership and advocacy have earned numerous honors, including the Kansas City Medical Society’s Patient and Community Advocate Award, recognition on Jackson County’s Monument to Freedom, Justice, and Courage, and 40 Under 40 honors from both Ingram’s Magazine and Radiology Business. Most recently, she was named the 2026 UMKC Alumna of the Year and served as a UMKC commencement speaker.
Mayor Kathy Rose - Panelist
City of Riverside
Mayor Kathy Rose has served Riverside, Missouri, since 2006, leading the community through significant growth and transformation while keeping collaboration and quality of life at the heart of that progress. During her tenure, Riverside has welcomed more than a billion dollars in private investment, thousands of new jobs, and major projects including the Horizons Business Park and Morton Amphitheater.
Mayor Rose has also championed projects that reach well beyond Riverside, including the first purpose-built training facility for women’s professional soccer and regional initiatives such as the Northland Workforce Development Center, the new KCI terminal and replacement of the Buck O’Neill Bridge. She believes creative partnerships across communities can accomplish big things for the people they serve.
Her leadership extends throughout the region and state, and she has served as past president of the Missouri Municipal League, Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, and Northland Chamber of Commerce. Throughout her nearly two decades as mayor, she has remained focused on creating opportunity, strengthening community, and ensuring Riverside continues to be truly “Upstream from Ordinary.”
Susan Hiland - Moderator
Award-winning Journalist, Public Speaker and Media Relations Specialist
Susan Hiland is a successful communications professional with 25+ years of experience in broadcast journalism. She leverages her Emmy Award-winning TV reporter and anchor skills to create impactful videos, assist in crisis communications, host a podcast, coach staff and students for interviews, and facilitate positive news coverage.
Susan’s expertise has earned her local, regional, and national awards. Throughout her career, she has worked at TV stations across the country, including FOX 4 in Kansas City and as a Midwest Correspondent for ABC affiliates in Chicago, St. Louis, and New Haven, CT. She was named Kansas City’s Best News Anchor and Social Media Club’s Trailblazer of the Year.
Susan holds a Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Journalism from Missouri State University. She is an active member of several professional organizations, including the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the National School Public Relations Association. She is also a board member of the Northland Animal Welfare Society.
