The Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City announced that Samantha Hammontree has joined the organization as its chief operating officer. She succeeds Gayle Levin, who recently retired and moved to Arizona.
“I am so excited and happy to be part of The J,” Hammontree said. “When I think about my passion, it is to lead, learn and connect with others so I can make a difference in my community. The J affords me that opportunity.”
“We’re delighted that Samantha has joined The J as our COO,” said Jim Sluyter, The J’s president and CEO. “With her vast business and philanthropic experience, plus her passion for The J and our mission, Samantha is the perfect addition to our executive management team. I look forward to partnering with Samantha on many initiatives, especially during this important time of our growth and expansion.”
Hammontree has been associated with The J for a number of years as a member and most recently, serving on its board of directors. She said taking the position of COO feels like coming home.
“Coming to The J doesn’t feel like a job,” Hammontree said. “What attracted me here is Jim’s philosophy of servant leadership. I saw that as a community member and board member, and now, as his partner.”
Hammontree was also drawn by The J’s culture.
“What’s so great is it feeds my soul and having the familiarity of knowing this community,” she said. “Being able to see my mother in the Heritage Center, my kids in the fitness center, my friends at various events — I feel like this is the perfect fit.”
As The J’s COO, Hammontree will directly oversee the operations of various departments and programs including The White Theatre, the Child Development Center, the Heritage Center, Jewish life-long learning, family engagement and all youth services, as well as The J’s summer camps.
Hammontree brings a wealth of experience to her new position at The J. She served as the third generation president of Sterling Inc., an import company her grandfather Nathan Weiner started alongside her father, Larry Weiner. During her tenure, Hammontree worked side by side with her brothers and uncle. In 2013, The Gerson Companies purchased the family business with Hammontree staying on as senior vice president and COO until 2018. After a brief stint at another local company, Hammontree began searching for just the right position that would utilize her vast skillset and incorporate her desire to give back to others.
“Finding the right balance between my family, professional and community life and aligning my own core values was critical in making my decision to come to The J as it is the intersection of all the things near and dear to me,” Hammontree said.
A native of Kansas City, Hammontree graduated from Blue Valley North High School. It was during those years she met her future husband, Quentin, who is now a captain and acting battalion chief with the Shawnee Fire Department. A graduate of the University of Kansas’ Business School, Hammontree has been active in other community endeavors. Her parents, Larry and Joni Weiner, taught her the importance of community.
“My parents showed their generosity through philanthropy and never wanted credit,” she said. “They were my teacher as to the importance of community and why and how you give.”
Hammontree chaired all of the events for Congregation Beth Torah’s 25th anniversary and Torah Writing Project, where her family are members. It was a massive undertaking.
“It was beyond fabulous because my parents underwrote the writing of our own Torah and each member had the opportunity to fulfill the 613 commandments by scribing a letter. My son was the second Bar Mitzvah to read from it,” she said.
Just 18 days after the Torah’s dedication and Rabbi Mark Levin’s retirement event — which she helped plan — Hammontree’s father suffered major health problems.
“That changed all of us,” she said. Hammontree said her father’s health situation served to refocus her life.
Hammontree’s community activities extend beyond “all things Jewish.” She is currently the president of the Blue Valley Educational Foundation. She has also served as a mentor through the Blue Valley School District’s CAPS program and was a founder of the annual Innovation Celebration. In addition, Hammontree is a 20-year member of the Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri. She is also on the advisory board of the Kansas City Sports Commission & Foundation’s Women’s Intersport Network (WIN for KC).
Hammontree has been honored for her work in the community with the 2017 Friend of Education Community Leader Award from the Blue Valley Board of Education. She was also named one of the 2017 Class of Women Who Mean Business by The Kansas City Business Journal.
Hammontree and her husband have two children who are both graduates of The J’s award-winning CDC preschool. Son Braxton is a senior at Blue Valley High School and daughter Mackenzie is a sophomore. Both are very active in sports — Braxton in football and rugby, and Mackenzie plays soccer for Sporting Blue Valley Development Academy.
Hammontree said she has big shoes to fill in taking on the COO position after the lengthy tenure of her predecessor Levin. However, Hammontree is up to the task.
“I find it invigorating,” she said. “I hope my existence here brings even more energy and positivity. The J is in a phenomenal place to learn and grow. I look forward to helping our J team connect ideas to the reality of making them happen and being a champion for those folks.”