Kansas Housing Resources Corporation
Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) is the state’s primary administrator of federal housing programs, dedicated to expanding safe, affordable housing for Kansans.
AUDIENCE: Developers, property owners, case managers, state and local officials (500)
LOCATION: Topeka, Kansas
CHALLENGE: After a year of rapid policy shifts, KHRC sought a keynote speaker who could unify diverse stakeholders, reminding them that resilient partnerships are the foundation for sustainable housing solutions.
CARA BROOKINS’ SOLUTION:
60-minute keynote on resilience and collaboration + 10-minute Q&A
Early-morning AV check with Communications Director Emily Sharp
Multi hour post-talk book signing to deepen audience connection
With federal guidelines evolving and housing demand on the rise, KHRC’s annual forum brings together every corner of the housing ecosystem. Cara Brookins took the stage to demonstrate how building a house without prior construction experience echoes the collaborative challenges of housing finance, zoning, and service delivery.
Her keynote mapped the stages of construction to project-funding milestones, emphasizing communication, shared vision, and adaptive problem-solving with a figure-it-out style.
During Q&A, attendees explored ways to maintain momentum through legislative cycles and staffing shortages. The session concluded with a packed book-signing line, where Cara continued one-on-one discussions about personal leadership in public-sector work. Post-event surveys showed a marked boost in attendees’ confidence to spearhead cross-agency initiatives.
