BARNETT HELZBERG, JR.
A Kansas City area native, Barnett Helzberg, Jr. is a graduate of Pembroke Hill School and received his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan.
BUSINESS HISTORY:
Former Chairman of the Board at Helzberg Diamonds, a family owned business started in 1915. At the helm since 1962, expanded the company from its then 15 units into the third largest jewelry retailer consisting of 145 units in 23 states by the time it was sold in 1995 to Berkshire Hathaway (Warren Buffett). Founded the Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program, a mentoring program by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, which is sponsored by the University of Missouri-Kansas City and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Creator of the I Am Loved! theme and now developing a licensing program for the trademark that will provide funding for public TV. Teaching “Achieving Management Excellence” course to MBA students at Rockhurst College.
MEMBER (as of 2008):
- World Presidents' Organization
- Chief Executives Organization
OFFICES (as of 2008):
- Past President - Diamond Council of America
- Past Chairman-Kansas City Chapter/Young Presidents' Organization
- Past President-Board of Trustees of Pembroke Hill School
- Board Member - Jewish Heritage Foundation
- Board Member - United Missouri Bank
- Board Member - Center for Business Innovation
- Board Member - University of Kansas City
- Board Member - The Menninger Foundation
- Board Member - Kansas City Symphony Foundation
- Board Member - Menorah Medical Center
- Advisory Board - Kansas City Equity Partners
HONORS (as of 2008):
- Pembroke Hill School - Distinguished Alumni recipient
- National Jeweler Magazine - Retailer Hall of Fame Award
- American Jewish Committee - Human Relations Award
- University of Missouri-Kansas City - Entrepreneur of the Year Award
- Entrepreneur of the Year Institute - Master Entrepreneur of the Year Award
- The Council on Philanthropy - “Philanthropists of the Year Award”
- The Gillis Center - 1997 Spirit Award recipient
SHIRLEY BUSH HELZBERG (Mrs. Barnett C. Helzberg, Jr.)CURRENT ACTIVITIES (as of 2008):
- President - The Kansas City Symphony
- Chairman - Heart of America Shakespeare Festival
- Founding Chairman – The Arts Council of Metropolitan Kansas City
- Co-Chairman – Capital Campaign – Friends of the Zoo
CURRENT BOARD MEMBER (as of 2008):
- The Kansas City Symphony - President
- Heart of America Shakespeare Festival - Chairman
- The Arts Council of Metropolitan Kansas City – Executive Committee
- University Academy Charter School – Co-Founder
- The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts - Treasurer
- Starlight Theatre Association of Kansas City
Village Shalom
- Kansas City Chapter Brandeis University National Women’s Committee
- The Shirley and Barnett Helzberg Foundation – Vice President and Treasurer
- Kansas City Art Institute
- The Kansas City Ballet
- Board of Trustees, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art\
- Aspen Music Festival and School
- Icon Museum
- University Academy Supporting Foundation - President
CURRENT ADVISORY BOARDS (as of 2008):
- Rose Brooks Center, Inc.
- Mid-American Heart Institute
- Women’s Lyceum
CURRENT NATIONAL BOARDS (as of 2008)
CLUB MEMBERSHIPS (as of 2008):
- Junior League of Kansas City
HONORS (as of 2008):
- Kansas City Association for Mental Health Community Leadership Award 1986
- American Jewish Committee - Human Relations Award 1987
- Rose Brooks Center - Margit Lasker Award for Purpose of Ending Domestic Violence 1991
- Gillis Center and The Kansas City Star Company - Kansas City Spirit Award 1992
- Best of Theater - Footlight Award 1992
- Park College Founders Day Distinguished Community Service Award 1994
- Starlight Theatre - Star Award 1994
- National Kidney Foundation - Galaxy Award 1994
- William Jewell College - W. F. Yates Medallion for Distinguished Service 1995
- The Council on Philanthropy - “ Philanthropists of the Year Award” 1995
- The Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy “Civic Service Award” 1995
- The National Conference of Christians and Jews “Citation Award” 1995
- Ingram’s “Local Hero” Award 1995
- Parkinson Association “Conrad J. K. Eriksen Award” 1997
- Baker University “Distinguished Civic Service” Award 1997
- FBI Citizens’ Academy Graduate - 2000
- Missouri Arts Council - Missouri Arts Award - 2001
- Kansas Citians of the Year - Shirley and Barnett Helzberg - 2002
- Community Service Award – Junior League of Kansas City, MO 2002
- Parkinson Foundation – “Hats off to Mothers” – Honoree - 2004
- Missouri Citizens of the Arts – Frederick H. Laas Memorial Award – 2005
- American Citizen Award – Southtown – 2005
- Centurions – VIP Leadership Award of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce - Co-recipient with Barnett – 2007
- UMKC Orthopedic Surgery Program – Rex L. Diveley Chair Community Recognition Award – 2007
- First Lady Award - Honoring Missouri Women Who are Making History - nominee - 2008
- City Union Mission – honored as “Women Who Have Changed the City” Gala - 2008
PAST PRESIDENT OR CHAIRMAN (as of 2008):
- President - Starlight Theatre Association of Kansas City 1991-1993
- President - Kansas City Chapter Brandeis University National Women’s Committee
- President - Heart of America Shakespeare Festival
- President - The Arts Council of Metropolitan Kansas City
- Chairman – Della Lamb Community Services
PAST GENERAL CHAIRMAN (as of 2008):
- Jewish Community Foundation Gala at The William Rockhill Nelson Gallery establishing the Judiac Art Fund
The Variety Club/Saks Gala benefiting 10 Children’s Charities 1987
- Distinguished Artists Series, Temple B’nai Jehudah 1987
- Founder of Cabaret Concert for Rose Brooks Center - “An Evening with Michael Feinstein” 1988
- Founder of the Pembroke Hill School Awesome Auction 1988
- Starlight Theatre Circus Gala 1989
- The Variety Club “ Mr. and Mrs. Bridge Benefit” 1990
- Channel 19 KCPT Mark Russell Event 1992
- Menorah’s Best - benefiting Menorah Hospital Auxiliary 1992
- Symphony Ball benefiting The Kansas City Symphony 1993
- Jewish Federation of Kansas City - Annual Giving Campaign Co-Chairman 1995
- Co-Chairman - Cystic Fibrosis Breath of Life Ball 1995
- Chairman - Chinese New Year Gala for The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art 1996
- Co-Chairman - The Women’s Foundation of Greater Kansas City Awards Luncheon - 1999 and 2000
- Co-Chairman - “Remember the Children: Daniel’s Story” Science City at Union Station - October 29, 2000
- Co-Chairman - Rockhurst Capital Campaign – 2001
PAST HONORARY CHAIRMAN (as of 2008):
- National Kidney Foundation of Kansas and Western Missouri - Saks Treasure Hunt 1993
- American Royal Student Ambassador Dinner 1993
- Shalom Geriatric Center Glitter Gala 1994
- Rose Brooks Cabaret 1996
- Symphony Ball 1996
- Parkinson Association of Greater Kansas City “Carrying the Torch” Gala 1997
- Reach Out America, Inc. “The Art of Dream Catching” 2004
- Lyric Theatre – Honorary Chairman - 2006
- Rose Brooks – Honorary Chairman - 2007
- The Council on Philanthropy – Honorary Chairman 2007
- Jewish Federation 75th Anniversity – Co-Chairman – April 15, 2008
PAST NATIONAL BOARDS (as of 2008):
- Brandeis University National Women’s Committee
PAST REGIONAL BOARDS (as of 2008):
PAST ADVISORY BOARD (as of 2008):
- United Cerebral Palsy
- Board of Advisors - Symphony Orchestra Institute
- Metropolitan Lutheran Ministries
PAST BOARD MEMBER (as of 2008):
- Symphony League - Vice President
- Missouri Association for Social Welfare - Publicity Chairman
- National Council of Jewish Women - Publicity Chairman
- Junior Women’s Philharmonic Association
- HEED, Inc. - Vice President
- Children’s Special Education Center
- Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City
- Jewish Family and Children’s Services
- Founding Member Shalom Plaza
- Founding Member of the Symphony Society – Kansas City Symphony
- Greater Kansas City Chapter of The American Parkinson Disease Association
- Greater Kansas City Chapter Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation
- The Friends of the Kansas City Zoo
- KCPT Public Television Channel 19
- American Field Service - Pembroke Hill School
- Jewish Community Campus - Founding Board
- Full Circle Theatre
- Jewish Vocational Services
- Starlight Theatre Advisory Board
- Menorah Hospital Auxiliary
- UMKC - Women’s Council
- Kansas City Art Institute - Sketch Box Committee, Fireside Committee
- The Conservatory of Music Executive Board
- Women’s Division Jewish Federation of Kansas City, Co
- Chairman of Lion Judah Division and Campaign Chairman
- Congregation Temple B’nai Jehudah
- Youth Volunteer Corps of America
- Della Lamb Community Services - Chairman
- Science City/Union Station
- Variety Club of Kansas City
- American Royal Association
PAST ACTIVITIES (as of 2008):
- Pembroke Hill School Development Committee
- American Royal Queen Candidate Judge - 1990
- American Royal Student Ambassador Head Judge 1991
- Clearing House for Mid-Continent Foundations Regional Meeting
- Gillis Center/Kansas City Star Blue Ribbon Panel, Chairman 1993 Kansas City Spirit Award
- Marillac Center for Children Capital Campaign
- Points of Light Foundation Committee National Conference 1995
- Rose Brooks Center Capital Campaign
