Becca Castro is an ecosystem builder and organizational strategist who has spent more than 20 years helping organizations, leaders, and communities strengthen the systems that create opportunity. Her work spans education, economic development (workforce development and entrepreneurship), and organizational learning, with a focus on building partnerships, developing people, and translating ideas into action.
Before joining the Patterson Family Foundation, Becca served as Senior Director of Regional Ecosystem Development at the UMKC Innovation Center, where she led KCSourceLink and MOSourceLink, statewide and regional resource networks connecting entrepreneurs with hundreds of organizations across Missouri. She led initiatives that expanded access to entrepreneurial resources, strengthened the capacity and collaboration of entrepreneur support organizations, and advanced regional and statewide strategies to build a more connected entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Throughout her career, Becca has been drawn to work that brings people together around complex challenges. Whether coaching leadership teams, designing learning experiences, or building collaborative networks across sectors, she is passionate about helping communities develop the capacity to solve problems together and create lasting impact.
Becca holds a Doctor of Education in Curriculum & Instruction from Northern Arizona University, a master’s degree in Organizational Learning from the University of New Mexico, and a bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Central Missouri.
Outside of work, Becca enjoys traveling, hosting friends, and spending time with her husband, Tony, and their two daughters.
Doctor of Education in Curriculum & Instruction from Northern Arizona University, a master’s degree in Organizational Learning from the University of New Mexico, and a bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Central Missouri.
“To me, a thriving rural community is one where people have the opportunity to build the life they want in the place they love. Every community has unique strengths, and I’m excited to help communities build on those strengths by fostering relationships, partnerships, and opportunities.”
