PROOF In The News
PROOF Positioning announces Courtney Chapman as President
April 6, 2023
Kansas City, MO – PROOF Positioning, the Kansas City-based market research company specializing in measuring emotions, announces the promotion of Courtney Chapman to President.
“Courtney is the heartbeat of PROOF and I am honored to have her continue to grow and evolve the company,” said CEO, Grant Gooding. “She has been here since the company’s inception and much of our success is due to her spearheading the strategic growth of the business.”
Chapman has been integral in building business processes and scale including managing the development of PROOF’s unique technology platform which helps measure emotions and preferences for its customers. In her new position, she will work to further develop business processes, create strategic partnerships and grow the PROOF team.
“I am honored to continue to grow PROOF as President,” said Chapman, “With a solid foundation of customers and technology, PROOF can be a disruptor in the market research space and I am excited to be a part of that future.”
The Promotion of Courtney Chapman to President is effective immediately.
Missouri Governor, Mike Parson, met with PROOF CEO, Grant Gooding
Alpapointe, CEO Reinhard Mabry, and Executive Board Member, Grant Gooding were recognized by Missouri Governor, Michael Parson, for the dedication of work Alphapointe has made during COVID-19.
CEO Grant Gooding was named a new Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City Board Member.
July 6, 2021
Junior Achievement’s mission is to inspire and equip every young person in Kansas City to build a bright future for themselves and for their community! Grant will be continuing the 50+ year history and legacy of Junior Achievement as a board of directors.
VP of Nonprofit Development, Katie Lord presented at Association of Fundraising Professionals.
This three-day virtual event hosted speakers coving topics ranging from social media, artificial intelligence and campaign planning. Katie discussed, . The Association Fundraising Professionals works to stimulate and empower individuals and organizations to practice ethical fundraising through education, network, research and advocacy.
PROOF CEO, Grant C. Gooding, sat down with Bernie Wurts on the KC Business Huddle podcast.
June 15, 2021
Grant shares how he uses data to solve problems, how emotional resonance drives decisions, why people don’t know how to use research, and much more! KC Business Huddle highlights top business owners in the Overland Park and Kansas City area to share who the community formed their business and how they enhance the community.
Katie Lord, VP of Nonprofit Development attended The Giving Institute Summer Symposium in Washington D.C.
The Give Institute is dedicated to helping elevate the fundraising consulting and nonprofit services industry and enhance the philanthropic sector.
PROOF’s CEO, Grant Gooding, was interviewed on the podcast, The CultivatED Marketer.
February 1, 2021
In a two-part podcast, Grant talks with The CultivatED Marketer hosts, Brent Bowen and Matthew Tidwell about fear in marketing and how he addresses it through emotional data. CultivatED Marketer is a bi-weekly podcast that focuses on Midwest marketing communication community.
Katie Lord, VP of Nonprofit Development, was featured in NonProfit PRO.
April 20, 2021
In NonProfit PRO’s article, ‘How Well Do You Really Know Your Donors’ Emotions?’ Katie shares how emotional data helps organizations focus on existing donors. NonProfit PRO covers topics ranging from boards management to technology to raising funds. They provide recourses for nonprofit management and strategy.
March 1, 2021
Grant shared what influences shaped both him and the building of PROOF. He also shared some of his observations of how organizations incorporate data. Randy Powell hosts Lessons in Leadership to pay forward networking and learning opportunities to other business professionals.
CEO Grant Gooding spoke at the University of Kansas School of Business.
February 26, 2021
Grant talked with marketing students about why we ask ‘why.’ The University of Kansas School of Business empowers students to become leaders who make positive change in business and society.
Vice President of Nonprofit Development, Katie Lord, spoke on the Startup Hustle podcast.
January 13, 2021
Katie spoke with Lauren Conaway to discuss “Innovation with Purpose”.
2020
PROOF team volunteers for Happy Bottoms
October 12, 2020
The PROOF team spent a Monday afternoon volunteering and Kansas City based Happy Bottoms. Happy Bottoms is a KC nonprofit that focuses on helping the over 25,000 area children who need diapers but other programs such as food stamps, Medicaid and WIC won't cover them. The team learned about the history and mission of the organization and then spent a couple hours in their facility sorting and packaging diapers to send to families in need.
PROOF hires 2 new interns
October 9, 2020
The PROOF team hires 2 new interns, Alyssa Jones and Jessica Kahmann, both from the University of Kansas. Alyssa will be working with PROOF's nonprofit clients and Jessica will be working on the process and analysis teams.
Grant speaks at the Association of Fundraising Professionals
September 2, 2020
Proof's CEO, Grant Gooding, presented to the members of the Association of Fundraising Professionals about how to use Emotional Data. AFP is the largest organization in the country dedicated to nonprofit fundraising professionals
PROOF's Katie Lord accepts board position for AHS Go Red for Women
June 25, 2020
Proof's VP of Nonprofit Development, Katie Lord, accepted a board position with the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women. Go Red is the American Heart Association’s signature women’s initiative that is a comprehensive platform designed to increase women’s heart health awareness and serve as a catalyst for change to improve the lives of women globally.
The Go Red for Women board is comprised of the most influential women in Kansas City and each year raises over 1 million dollars for awareness and programs for women's health.
Grant speaks for the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership
August 18, 2020
Proof's CEO, Grant Gooding, presented to Executive Director members of the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership on how to use Emotional Data in their roles as nonprofit leaders. The Midwest Center for Nonpofit Leadership was created as a collaboration between the Department of Public Affairs at UMKC and community leaders.
2019
Grant Speaks for the American Marketing Association
September, 26, 2019
PROOF's CEO, Grant Gooding, speaks to the American Marketing Association Annual Conference in Madison, WI about Emotional Data. The theme of the conference was Elevate with Authenticity and focuses on the importance of understanding your organization in order to appropriately message to current and prospective targets. Grant’s focus on PROOF’s work will help the marketers in attendance understand the differences between Big Data and Emotional Data and how to use both effectively for marketing and communications.
Katie Katie Lord Speaks to the Missouri Conservation Federation
September 12, 2019
Katie spoke at Missouri’s Conservation Federation Affiliate Summit. This group brings together other 100 different nonprofit and organizations and associations focused on conservation in the state of Missouri to discuss issues related to conservation and preservation of the states wildlife and environment. Katie spoke to the group in a session entitled “Fundraising Above and Beyond- Turning Members into Donors.
Grant speaks at ScaleUp!
April 11, 2019
Proof's CEO, Grant Gooding, speaks to the 10th cohort of KC Sourcelink's ScaleUP! KC program. The cohort is comprised of 17 hand selected companies who are ready to scale, open new locations and strengthen the Kansas City Economy. This will be the 10th consecutive ScaleUP! cohort Grant has been invited to speak to about growing their businesses.
2018
Courtney Windholz was named one of the KCSourceLine All-Stars for entrepreneurship for her support to 1 Million Cups.
June 18, 2018
Windholz was awarded the World Series Trophy. This award recognizes Kansas City’s most successful supporter of entrepreneurs. Windholz’s contribution to 1 Million Cups supports the organization's initiative that allows entrepreneurs the ability to network and present ideas to experts.
Grant Gooding was named Most Wanted Honoree for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kansas City.
March 15, 2018
Most Wanted Honorees are recognized for their achievements within the community. Honorees run a fundraising campaign and auction package to raise funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City. This event brings in $500,00 annually.
Grant Gooding was named to the Lee’s Summit Velocity Board of Directors.
January 17, 2018
Velocity LS was created to generate economic growth by offering resources, education, and to continue entrepreneurship.
2017
Grant Gooding is featured by Jeffery Byrne + Associates with his article “Is Your Ask Using the Right Emotional Messages?”
August 17, 2017
In this editoral focused on the non-profit sector, Gooding discusses how considering the emotional and psychographic traits of a target audience can lead to more emotional resonance. This is important for charities and nonprofits when making an ask for potential and existing donors.
Included in this article are trends found by PROOF Positioning that allow clients to change how to engage donors. It also showcases how variances within specific populations can be found.
Courtney Windholz won one of the most connected people in Kansas City by the Kauffman Foundation.
August 1, 2017
Windholz is recognized for her work at PROOF and involvement with 1 Million Cups Kansas City, Kansas City Crusaders, and Top Gun Kansas City. The Kansas City Connector Project was piloted to help connect and recognize individuals in the community working toward educational achievement and entrepreneurial success.
Grant Gooding was selected as NextGen Leader by the Kansas City Business Journal.
July 28, 2017
The NextGen Leaders program recognizes up-and-coming leaders in the community and will contribute to the current generation of Kansas City through knowledge and skillsets. Along with the creation of PROOF, Gooding is dedicated to educating youths. He serves as a mentor with MECA Challenge, which helps high school students to think like entrepreneurs.