ABOUT HEMP

Brochure (pdf)

The Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program (HEMP) was founded in 1995 by Barnett Helzberg, Jr., former owner and President of Helzberg Diamonds. Inspired by his twenty-three year mentoring relationship with Ewing Kauffman, HEMP matches seasoned, successful entrepreneur mentors with less-experienced entrepreneur mentees. Considerable mentoring is also fostered through peer-to-peer relationships derived from involvement through HEMP.

Components of the program include a one-on-one mentoring relationship, networking opportunities with peers and veteran business owners, exposure to mentoring skills that can be applied to any professional or personal situation, business educations discussing greatest successes and lessons learned from peers and top CEOs in the community, and field trips to locations of entrepreneurial interest within the Kansas City area.

The Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program is dedicated to strengthening entrepreneurial leaders through excellence in mentoring.

Barnett Helzberg, Jr., Chairman Ray Pitman, Sr., Vice-Chairman of the Board Chuck Hoffman, President Jack Sladkey, Secretary/Treasurer Margaret Reynolds, Mentor Chair Laura Lee Jones, Mentee Chair Deuce Livers, Fellows Chair Bill Hartnett, Programs Chair Dave Cacioppo, Marketing Chair Walt Rychlewski, Innovation and Historical Chair

The Shirley and Barnett Helzberg Foundation The Kauffman Foundation The Henry Bloch School of Business at UMKC Rick Krska - LaserCycle, Inc. John Davies - The John & Shirley Davies Foundation Christina Friederichs, Managing Director Mindy Leatherman, Administrative Assistant