Kate Ferrell Banks provides the board steady leadership with a wealth of wisdom from culled from two decades running an investment firm and the entrepreneurial confidence to take calculated risks when necessary. She serves as the board chair of Aligned where she channels her strong support for children and business acumen to improve education in Kansas and Missouri.

She co-founded Ferrell Capital, a private investment holding company and worked as a project coordinator at Ferrellgas, an 80-year business started by the Ferrell family that has grown into one of the nation’s largest propane retailers. Today, Kate blends her business sense with her love of baking to lead VAIN Foods, a premier producer of exceptional vanilla extracts sold in fine specialty food stores across the United States.

Kate is a graduate of Trinity University and received an MBA from the University of Kansas. She and her husband David live in Kansas City where they are proud to be raising triplets.

She serves on the board of KCB Bank in Kearney Missouri, Turning Point (a not-for-profit affiliate of the KU Medical Center), Rose Brooks Center, Women’s Employment Network, Great Kansas City Community Foundation, The Children’s Spot, Symphony League, and Children’s Relief Association to benefit Children’s Mercy Hospital.