Ellen D'Amato
President and CEO

Ellen D'Amato joined The Central Exchange as president and CEO in November 2002. Under Ellen's leadership, the organization has seen a resurgence in membership with the institution of a new dues structure. Program attendance has grown each year with the introduction of new series such as Revitalization of Kansas City, Professional Development and Leadership Development for Women of Color.

Also under Ellen's helm, The Central Exchange has expanded its leadership offerings beginning in 2003 with an annual, day-long leadership conference, the Women’s Lyceum. In partnership with Right Management, the organization launched an intensive, year-long leadership development program for emerging women leaders in the spring of 2006. The Central Exchange also entered into a partnership with The Kansas City Star beginning in 2006 to make public each year a women’s leadership index -- the number of women on the boards of directors and in top positions at the region's largest public corporations.

Ellen has amassed considerable experience, insight and expertise in her career. She was an attorney for several corporations, and served as general counsel for a Sprint subsidiary and later as a vice president in the corporate law department where she managed a department of 40 lawyers, lobbyists and industry specialists across the country.

Ellen has served as president of the Folly Theatre Board of Directors and on the board of directors for the Family Conservancy. She currently is a member of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Council.

Jackie West
Director of The Central Exchange South & Membership

Jackie West is the director of The Central Exchange South and Membership and has been on staff since 1992.  In her role as director of CX South, Jackie is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the facility.  As membership director, Jackie's charge is to recruit and retain members and work closely with the Membership Council.

She is a graduate of Ohio State University with a bachelor's degree in business administration.  She is originally from Ohio and relocated to the Kansas City area 13 years ago with her family.

Noreen Bridgham
Director, Programming

As program director at The Central Exchange for five years, Noreen is responsible for the planning, coordination and facilitation of programming at both CX locations.  She is the front line of electronic communication, keeping the membership informed about CX daily programs.  Noreen works with the Program Council and oversees The Central Exchange's Special Interest Groups.

Before joining The Central Exchange, Noreen worked for the American Business Women's Association.  Her volunteer activities include Catholic Charities, Rockhurst High School, Kansas City Young Matrons and the Church of the Nativity.  Noreen is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin with a B.A. in English.

Heidi Stigers
Business Office Manager

Heidi has been a part of The Central Exchange team as business office manager since June 2004.  Prior to taking on this role, she served as office and import manager for Expeditors International.  Her responsibilities at The CX include overseeing accounting and administration functions.  Heidi works closely with the Finance Committee in order to monitor the CX's financial performance.

Heidi is an active volunteer with Habitat ReStore and The Children's Museum of Kansas City.  She received an M.A. in international management from the University of Denver and a B.A. in political science from Northeast Missouri State University.

Richandra Myles
Administrative Assistant

Richandra began working for The Central Exchange as a temporary employee in October 2004 and took on the permanent position of administrative assistant in early 2005.  As the first-line contact for most CX members, Richandra answers the phone and checks people in to programs and events.  She also helps with billing, membership coordination, marketing communications and with programs.  The Kansas City native is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City with a B.A. in communication studies.