Nicole Jacobs-Silvey

President & Founder, Connection Coach KC

Nicole Jacobs Silvey is a community-minded connector who strives to empower others to live their best lives. With 20+ years in the not-for-profit sector, she is both mission-driven and passionate about Kansas City, the community she calls home. In 2018, Nicole launched Connection Coach KC where she serves as the President and Founder. As a connection coach, Nicole connects people to their purpose and passion so they can reach their full potential. Passionate about diversity, inclusion and philanthropy, Nicole created a training series called At the Table that assists not-for-profit boards with the intentional recruitment and retention of board members from diverse backgrounds. The training series focuses on the principles of shared power and inclusive leadership as the foundation of a strong board culture. In addition to her work as an executive coach, Nicole is also a sought after consultant and speaker. She has served as a speaker for universities, businesses and not-for-profit organizations with speaking engagements ranging from keynote addresses to small group discussions. Nicole is a collaborator at heart and has linked arms with Kiona Sinks to form The Roundtable whose mission is to convene crucial community conversations around key topics in Kansas City. She is also the Co-Founder of the Sisters’ Circle GKC, a giving circle for African American women, and the Rise Tribe, a group of professional black women who host a podcast called Life in the Middle that addresses the unique complexities of life for women of color. Prior to launching Connection Coach KC, Nicole worked for Kauffman Scholars for seven years; first as a Leadership Development Coach for high school students and then as a member of the leadership team. Nicole earned her BA in Psychology from Rockhurst University as well as her Not-for-Profit Fundraising Certificate from the UMKC Bloch School of Management. She has been named one of the 50 Most Influential Women in KC, Woman to Watch by the Central Exchange, is a member of the 2018 Class of Rising Stars (The Independent Magazine) and has also been named the 2018 Emerging Volunteer by NonProfit Connect. Most recently, she was selected to be a part of the inaugural class of the Band of Angels Rock Stars. Nicole has a variety of interests but is most passionate about empowering women, access to quality education, and issues of social justice. She resides in Fairway, Kansas with her loving husband, Patrick and her son, Rowan.