At the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, we first listen to the communities we serve, tap into our learnings and relationships, and bring everyone together to build and support programs that improve education, boost entrepreneurship, and help Kansas City thrive.

AI Fellow

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a private, nonpartisan foundation that provides access to opportunities that help people achieve financial stability, upward mobility, and economic prosperity – regardless of race, gender, or geography. The Foundation uses its grantmaking, research, programs, affiliates, and initiatives to support the start and growth of new businesses, a more prepared workforce, and stronger communities. Our work is grounded in the principles of racial equity, diversity, and inclusion and is consistent with the aspirations of our founder, Ewing Marion Kauffman.

Based in Kansas City, Missouri, the Kauffman Foundation is one of the largest foundations in the United States with an asset base of approximately $3 billion. While striving to have national impact and global reach, the Foundation is deeply committed to Kansas City, as evidenced by work on initiatives that reach into neighborhoods and enrich the community and quality of life in the region. For more information about the Foundation, please visit the website at www.kauffman.org.

The AI Fellow helps shape how artificial intelligence can be used as a force for economic mobility, opportunity creation, and inclusive growth – while actively guarding against the risk of AI exacerbating inequities. Reporting to the Chief Impact and Strategy Officer, this Fellow will advise on a core set of strategic priorities with the flexibility to propose, test, and advance a signature idea or body of work that aligns with the Foundation’s 2035 mission, strategy, and commitment to closing opportunity gaps.

This Fellow will work closely with Foundation leadership and teams to explore how AI can meaningfully strengthen pathways into education, work, and entrepreneurship, particularly for individuals and communities that have historically been excluded from economic mobility. This work will focus on where AI can remove barriers, redesign systems, and unlock new forms of access.

Specific Responsibilities Include: 

The AI Fellow will contribute across three interrelated dimensions, with flexibility to emphasize areas most aligned with their expertise and proposed agenda:

Strategic Thought Leadership

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Chief Impact and Strategy Officer and senior leaders on the responsible, equitable use of AI across the Foundation’s strategy, grantmaking research, and ecosystem work.
• Help translate the Foundation’s 2035 vision into concrete questions and opportunities where AI could accelerate economic mobility – or where guardrails are needed.
• Provide perspective on emerging AI trends, risks, and governance models, with particular attention to bias, access, workforce displacement, and uneven regional impacts.

Signature Initiative or Inquiry (Fellow-Led)

• Propose and advance a distinct, high-impact idea or line of inquiry that explores how AI can strengthen economic mobility, close gaps, or redesign opportunity systems in new ways.
  • This could include (but is not limited to):
    • Applying AI to improve access to postsecondary pathways, credentials, or career navigation.
    • Reimagining entrepreneurship support, capital access, or small business resilience through AI.
    • Using AI to surface hidden barriers identified in the Kauffman Mobility Index and related research.
    • Developing frameworks for place-based, community-centered AI adoption.
• The Foundation will support this work through access to data, staff collaboration, convening power, and dissemination platforms.

Ecosystem, Learning, and Field Building

• Inform and strengthen the Kansas City region’s approach to AI adoption by engaging universities, nonprofits, civic leaders, employers, and technologists.
• Advise on grantmaking or partnership opportunities that align with the Foundation’s strategy and promote responsible AI for public good.
• Contribute to national learning by helping the Foundation share insights, lessons, and frameworks with peer funders, policymakers, and practitioners.

Internal Collaboration and Enablement

• Partner closely with the internal AI Working Group, which will serve as the Foundation’s implementation and learning engine.
• Collaborate closely with various teams in the Foundation on emerging trends, frameworks, and models for AI for public good, bringing strategic insight and innovation so the Working Group can translate ideas into pilots, internal capacity building, and real-world opportunities.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Economics, Computer Science (with a focus on Ethics/Society), Data Science, Sociology, Education, or related field (or equivalent experience)

Work Experience: At least five years of relevant experience in technology strategy, public policy, economic development, or a related field.  

Travel: This position may require occasional business travel.

Candidates in this position must be highly motivated, capable of self-directed work, exceptionally meticulous with a sharp eye for detail, and able to work collaboratively across teams and departments.  They must exhibit a keen sense of responsibility and enjoy working with multiple demands, shifting priorities, and constant change.

• Demonstrated expertise in AI strategy, responsible AI, public interest technology or applied innovation.
• Has a strong grounding in equity, economic mobility, workforce development, entrepreneurship, or education systems.
• Experienced influencing decision-makers across philanthropy, policy, academia, or industry.
• Has excellent communication skills, including well-developed interpersonal, written, and listening skills, particularly in communicating complex ideas to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated history of translating ideas into action.
• Has strong ability to manage data, track project outcomes, and ensure accuracy in documentation, reporting, and communications.
• Is known for reliability and follow-through in managing project details.
• Is committed to ongoing reflection, learning, and growing.
• Has a passion for advancing equitable and transformative solutions for communities served by the Foundation.
• Possesses a passion for “doing what is right,” with unquestioned integrity, positive ethics and values reflective of the Kauffman Foundation.
• Is committed to the Foundation’s credo, standards, and values in alignment with our racial equity, diversity and inclusion statement, by prioritizing racial equity, diversity, and inclusion in culture and strategic work.
• Possesses computer literacy skills, including proficiency with Microsoft tools, Box, Slack and social media.

All of the statements in this position description are intended to describe the general nature of the work being performed and are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. This document describes the position currently available.  The organization reserves the right to modify job duties or job descriptions at any time.

NON-DISCRIMINATION

The EMKF provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected category under applicable law.

TO APPLY

Interested applicants can apply for this position by submitting a cover letter and resume. Job posting will be removed at 5:00 pm CT on February 20, 2026.

 

Please note that this role is Kansas City, MO based and associates must reside in the Kansas City metropolitan area.