Jeff Shafer
Jeff Shafer serves as Executive Director of City Year Kansas City, where he leads a dedicated team focused on equipping public school students with the academic and social-emotional support they need to thrive.
Shafer's journey with City Year began in 2010, when he became an AmeriCorps member on Chicago's South Side. This was an experience that ignited his lifelong pursuit of educational justice. He went on to serve in roles including Impact Manager and Development Director before returning home in 2015 to help launch City Year's Kansas City site. Under his leadership, the organization has become a transformative force in the same district where Shafer grew up, marking a full-circle moment in his commitment to youth and community.
In 2022, City Year Kansas City played a pivotal role in helping Kansas City Public Schools regain accreditation, a milestone that underscored the power of sustained, community-rooted partnership. Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2025, City Year Kansas City continues to make a lasting impact under Shafer's guidance.
A proud Kansas City native, Shafer's leadership is felt across classrooms, neighborhoods, and civic spaces—from coordinating the organization's annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, to directly engaging with students and educators. His lived experience, vision, and unwavering dedication to uplifting others makes him a true changemaker in his community.