Women Shaping Wichita

 From the halls of government to the stools of a brew pub, from artistic expression to healing hands, the women of Wichita are shaping a more lively, humane, interesting and fun experience for everyone in the city. Here are the stories of seven of them.



Like anyone who chooses to pursue a career in art, Sara Grant knows it’s not easy. It takes risk, perseverance, grit and commitment. “Wichita has been an important part of that journey. I value the city’s strong sense of community, the support for local artists, and the opportunities it provides to connect with others through creativity,” she said. 

Over the years, Grant experimented with many different mediums, but one particular form has become her favorite. She inherited a colored pencil collection from her aunt that changed everything. “While I appreciate the lessons I learned from each medium along the way,” she said, “colored pencil is the medium that continues to challenge and inspire me the most.” For Grant, art is a way to process emotions, explore life and discover more about herself and the world around her. 

“Growth rarely happens when we stay stagnant.” — Sara Grant

At the 2025 Autumn and Art Festival in Bradley Fair, Grant was the featured artist, able to share her passion with those who passed through. Art is not always easy, but as many would agree, it is almost always worth it. In Grant’s words, “If my work or my journey reminds someone to be more creative, more vulnerable, or more willing to take a chance on themselves, then I feel I’ve made a positive impact.”

Wichita has been Maggie Ballard’s home her entire life, aside from a short hiatus to attend college at the University of Kansas. Growing up in the same area, it was only natural that Ballard found herself driven by her community, friends and neighbors, volunteering in different capacities over the years and teaching her son Paxton to do the same. 

Ballard is currently in her second term serving on the City Council for District 6. “I felt that we were at a critical point and we needed local leaders willing to listen to the people while still moving our city forward,” Ballard said about deciding to run for city council. She is honored to serve the community she has called home for so long. Her goal is now is working to build a better future for younger generations.

“I hope that my current role has created a space where average people feel safe and comfortable approaching me to get what they need from the City of Wichita.” — Maggie Ballard

Serving on the City Council isn’t always easy, and Ballard has faced challenges over the years. She wants to be approachable to those around her. Even if she doesn’t have an answer, Ballard says she works to find one. “While I can’t always make everyone happy, I’ve learned I can make people feel heard and that’s most important to me,” Ballard said about her time so far.



Wichita favorite Hopping Gnome Brewery was conceived to bring the vibe of Colorado microbreweries to Wichita. Fifteen years ago, Stacy Ward Lattin and husband, Torrey Lattin, were on a visit to Colorado, and stumbled upon a niche that they realized would thrive in Wichita: “We wanted a cozy space where you could sit at the bar by yourself and meet a new friend, or catch up with old friends at a table over beer flights and board games.” Thus, Hopping Gnome — a wordplay on the hops from which beer is brewed — was born. 

With backgrounds in non-profits and engineering consulting respectively, Stacy and Torrey had to rely on each other and other local resources and partnerships to get the brewery off the ground, a partnership which still defines this cozy growing brewery. The team was able to expand in 2023 into a larger taproom, complete with covered patio and beer garden, including space for events, food trucks, even more drink options, and live music. 

“We wanted a cozy space where you could sit at the bar by yourself and meet a new friend, or catch up with old friends.” — Stacy Ward Lattin

Stacy credits the community with their drive: “We realized it’s never just been about the beer — it’s about the people. The community that’s grown around Hopping Gnome is what we’re most proud of… After 11 years, we've created traditions that our ‘gnomies’ look forward to, from seasonal beer tappings to quirky events like our annual Festivus celebration.” 

Hopping Gnome is truly for everyone. The new location, now at 1719 E. Victor Street, has allowed Stacy and Torrey to untap their potential as the owners of their very own brewery. Be sure to stop by on your next free evening!



While “chiropractor” wasn’t always in Dr. Megan Sullivan’s mind as a career path, she always knew how she wanted to spend her life: “As I explored potential career paths, I knew two things about myself: I wanted to serve others, and I wanted to work in healthcare.” She found her calling after observing her hometown chiropractor, who reflected a high standard of client care. Dr. Megan, as she’s known to her patients, has certainly achieved the same level of care, as she is deeply committed to every one of her patients.

“Chiropractic care is a natural, non-invasive approach to healthcare. We work to identify underlying causes of dysfunction and help the body function at its best.” — Dr. Megan Sullivan

Though Dr. Megan trailblazed her way as a doctor, she looks up to her mother, a pharmacist, whose “dedication, work ethic, and compassion have been a tremendous influence on my life.” Dr. Megan’s skills and practice serve patients with every need. Yet a majority of the patient base of Healing Hands Chiropractic consists of expecting and postpartum mothers, and children of all ages. Healing Hands Chiropractic provides essential healthcare to this demographic, which is often overlooked. “Our goal is to provide personalized care that helps individuals and families move, feel and function at their best — regardless of their age or stage of life.” 

Through her years of endless dedication to treating patients, Dr. Megan wants to emphasize the following: “Chiropractic care is a natural, non-invasive approach to healthcare … we work to identify underlying causes of dysfunction and help the body function at its best. Chiropractors often work alongside medical doctors, physical therapists, midwives, lactation consultants, dentists and other healthcare professionals to help patients achieve the best possible outcomes.”



Alicia Thompson, Assistant Provost for PreK-12 Engagement at Wichita State University, made a vow when she was young: “Never education.” With an education-focused family, she saw how all-encompassing and often unforgiving this commitment could be. On a path towards healthcare, she felt a shift in her heart after volunteering for vacation Bible school. In a room full of kindergarteners, she found kiddos who believed in her: “They just wanted their teacher to show up, and when I did, they gave me everything.” After a lifetime avoiding the legacy of education, she found that she was being prepared for it.

“By the time I became superintendent, I had already been in nearly every chair in the building.” — Alicia Thompson

Pivoting from a medical focus, Thompson found herself eager to throw her all into education, ready to make a difference. Starting as a paraprofessional, she climbed the ranks, from the role of teacher to gradually working her way up to superintendent of Wichita Public Schools, and today, Associate Vice Provost of PreK–12 Engagement. Thompson fully settled into every role: “By the time I became superintendent, I had already been in nearly every chair in the building. I knew what teachers needed because I was one. I knew what principals carried because I carried it.”

Thompson has always understood that educators are one of the many unsung heroes of our country. Her focus has always been to encourage teachers, to inspire trust and hope in parents and students, and to look beyond the policy and the data and “show up for people who need someone in their corner.”



Kristin’s dedication to local students began in public schools as a teacher of English at Atchison High, journalism at Andover High School for the next eight years, and a few years at Derby High School.

Seeking new opportunities to serve Kansas kids led her to explore the non-profit world and utilize her talents in marketing and public relations at Phillips Fundamental Learning Center as the marketing director, helping students struggling with dyslexia find resources and support. She then served as a social media and marketing strategist for the United Way where, for three years, she led educational initiatives. 

Inspired by educational innovation, she explored a third non-profit avenue with the National Association of Secondary School Principals where she served as a social media strategist. Through this position, her travels illuminated various educational models and trends in learning and school culture.

These collective experiences led her to Learning Lab Wichita where, for the last three years, she has been an integral part of this innovative educational hub that offers and houses a variety of school models: public, private and homeschools. Learning Lab facilitates seven different education models that provide families with a variety of choices when selecting a school.

Beyond the workplace, she has served on several boards including City Center Academy, which is dedicated to providing inexpensive child care for low income families in the heart of the city at 730 S. Topeka. This fall, their fundraiser, “Uncorked” will be sponsored by Grace Hill Winery. Most recently, she has accepted a board position with the Belvin Literacy Institute, whose primary focus is to provide scholarships for students with dyslexia to obtain reading support along with teacher training in dyslexia.