September 2, 2023

By John Beaudoin

After more than a decade serving Lee’s Summit through the nonprofit his grandmother formed, Matt Sanning is resigning his role as executive director of Lee’s Summit Social Services.

Megan Salerno, the current assistant executive director, will take over as interim ED Aug. 31, Sanning’s final day at LSSS.

“The last 10 years have been a journey in serving Lee’s Summit in the way grandma wanted all of us to do,” Sanning said. “I leave Lee’s Summit Social Services in good hands with Megan and her talented staff. And knowing that we’re still serving this community that our family has loved for generations.”

Sanning began at LSSS working in an IT role for Geneva High – his grandmother and founder of the nonprofit – before moving to the Thrift Store and eventually into the Director’s role upon her retirement in 2016.

Salerno also started her journey in 2016 working as the office manager and in human resources at LSSS before taking on the role of assistant ED in 2020. She’s Matt’s sister, and like Matt and their grandmother Geneva, has a long history with the organization.

“I have been volunteering at Lee’s Summit Social Services since I was seven years old as the ‘soup girl’ – helping to sort the soups during the Boy Scout food drive,” Salerno said. “The agency has always been a part of my life and I feel honored to be able to continue my family’s legacy working with our community to help those in need. I love Lee’s Summit Social Services and look forward to what the future holds.”

LSSS Board of Directors President Kris Presnell said he’s encouraged about the future, too, even as a transition at the top unfolds.

“Matt’s leadership is going to be greatly missed. He’s set up Social Services to be successful in the future through his leadership,” he said. “He’s also done a nice job of setting up Megan to take that role so that we can continue to assist the community as we always have.”

The Board will meet again Sept. 20 to formally name the new executive director.

“Their family heart is all in it. I know Megan will apply herself just as Matt has done,” Presnell said. “Matt has made it clear his heart is still with the agency, he will just be giving assistance in a different role.”

Lee’s Summit Social Services is an emergency assistance organization that provides financial, food pantry and utility resources to meet the basic needs in the communities of Lee’s Summit, Greenwood, Lake Lotawana and Lone Jack.