Sara Ritter
Sara Ritter, IOM is a seasoned economic development executive and business strategist with more than two decades of experience advancing regional growth, leading cross-sector initiatives, and supporting C-level leadership. Based in Linwood, Kansas, she currently serves as Business Development Manager at Ten-Minute Trainer Network, where she partners with chambers of commerce and nonprofit organizations to strengthen membership value and organizational impact. Ritter is widely recognized for her strategic vision, operational excellence, and collaborative leadership style that consistently delivers measurable outcomes.
Prior to her current role, Ritter spent 21 years as President and Executive Director of the De Soto Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council, where she led transformative initiatives that reshaped the regional economy. She played a pivotal role in securing Panasonic’s multi-billion-dollar capital investment in Kansas—at the time the largest economic development project in state history—working alongside local, regional, and state leaders to structure incentives, develop industrial sites, and align stakeholders. Under her leadership, the organization doubled its revenue and membership investment while expanding industrial infrastructure and attracting significant private-sector growth. In 2023, she was recognized by Ingram’s Magazine as one of the “50 Kansans You Should Know” for her lasting contributions to economic and community development.
Ritter’s career is deeply rooted in service and community leadership. She began in county government and utility-based economic development before returning to lead growth efforts in her hometown. In addition to her professional accomplishments, she served more than 20 years as a volunteer firefighter, EMT, and sergeant—becoming the first female officer in her department’s history. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration from MidAmerica Nazarene University, graduating magna cum laude. Today, she brings her expertise full circle by equipping chambers and nonprofit leaders nationwide with accessible, high-impact training designed to strengthen businesses, empower communities, and drive sustainable growth.
• IOM (Institute for Organizational Management) designation from U.S. Chamber of Commerce
• MidAmerica Nazarene University
• Kansas City Kansas Community College
• Ingram’s 50 Kansans You Should Know 2023
• MidAmerica Nazarene University Top 15% of graduating class honors
• County public policy council member
• Chamber of Commerce executives group
• Economic research institute ex-officio board
• Kansas River committee (governor-appointed)
• DE SOTO VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT
• VFW Auxiliary
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice is to really listen. Listen to your clients, listen to your customers, and really connect with them. Engage with them and really learn about them. I'm very passionate about making connections and doing the right things for the right reasons, and really wanting to give back. This is my way to give back to the nonprofits in my new field, helping their chambers thrive, and more importantly, helping businesses get training that they possibly could not get and have it crafted for them in their chamber so that they can both be successful.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge I'm seeing is that the smaller chambers just don't have the funding that they need. By encouraging businesses to learn why it's important to be part of their community, the goal is to help those chambers get additional revenue in so that they can provide those benefits back to the members. It's really the growing challenges of the chambers - they're often underfunded. It's really important to help businesses understand what a chamber is, and that it's more than just a ribbon cutting. There are a lot of services that they provide.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I'm very passionate about making connections and doing the right things for the right reasons, and really wanting to give back. I'm all about giving back to the community. I know the difficulties that women face in being in certain positions, and I just want them to feel empowered and to let them know that you are worth it and you can do anything you set your mind to. I just want to encourage and, if I can, mentor women that are coming up in leadership roles, that they're valued, and what they bring to the table is so extremely important and valued. At this point in my life, family is first, and taking this time to enjoy my family and being an active part of the community.