Starr Kohler Receives Lieutenant Governor's Women of Achievement Award
March 14, 2022 / News
Starr Kohler retired as CEO from SeniorAge in December of last year, but her legacy and good work continue to gain recognition and momentum. Starr was recently honored with the Lieutenant Governor’s Women of Achievement Award and will be honored alongside nine other recipients at a ceremony in Jefferson City on March 24.
Starr has been involved in the Springfield Area Aging Agency (SeniorAge) since 1976. Her mother , Irene Hamby, launched a 22-year career with the Area Agency, where Starr served as a support volunteer. She began as a volunteer, transitioning to a receptionist, grant writer and Information and Assistance associate. Later, she completed her Masters in Organizational Leadership, moved into Resource Development, Foundation Advocacy, Silver Haired Legislature, then Chief of Operations.
In 2013, Starr accepted the position of CEO and served in this capacity until her retirement in 2021. During her nine years as CEO, she shepherded the agency through critical changes and innovation. When many social service agencies found themselves turned upside down during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Starr seized the opportunity to increase not only SeniorAge’s service levels, but partnered with Mark Price and Nora Taylor to help supply critical nutrition to seniors in other Area Agency locations around the state.
The Lieutenant Governor’s Women of Achievement Award is designed to recognize and honor the diverse accomplishments of Missouri women in conjunction with Women’s History Month. The ten recipients will be honored at a ceremony in the First Floor Rotunda on Thursday, March 24, 2022 at 9:00 a.m.
Starr is succeeded in leadership by co-CEOs, Becca Fields and Liz McClelland, both who worked closely with Starr to ensure a smooth transition. The new duo is looking forward to continuing the legacy of service and good stewardship Starr has guided them towards. For more information, contact Juli Jordan at 417-838-8940 (personal cell) or email juli.jordan@senioragemo.org. Visit https://ltgov.mo.gov/women-of-achievement/ for other award recipients.
