Spotlight: Dena Thomas-Aouassou
From Global Service to Local Impact: Dena Thomas’s Journey to KC
Dena Thomas-Aouassou describes herself as “an artist at heart”—but her career has been anything but traditional. From building workforce training programs in New Mexico to leading a small business bootcamp in Morocco, Dena’s professional journey has always centered around one goal: helping people access the tools and relationships they need to thrive.
Today, she serves as Director of Operations at KCSourceLink, where she works to strengthen Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem one connection at a time. But her path to Kansas City started long before she stepped into that role.
Rooted in Service—and a Love for Small Business
Dena’s early professional years were shaped by service. As a Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco, she supported local artisans and small businesses. Later, in Albuquerque, she worked across sectors—from creative startups to engineering firms—designing training programs and creating pathways into in-demand industries like CDL trucking and IoT (Internet of Things) manufacturing.
“I thrive in ambiguity,” she says. “And I believe in being innovative within the systems I’m given.”
That mindset—along with a strong bias for collaboration—is what ultimately led her to Kansas City.
“I moved here to be closer to family while raising my son,” Dena shared. “But I also saw KC as a place where entrepreneurship and community go hand-in-hand. That’s something I deeply value.”
Connecting Entrepreneurs to What Matters Most
As Director of Operations at KCSourceLink, Dena leads a team of Network Navigators who meet directly with entrepreneurs to understand their challenges and connect them with the right resources—from funding and mentorship to technical assistance and training.
“We keep the entrepreneur at the center,” she says. “My role is about listening, noticing patterns, and bridging gaps. I spend a lot of time mapping relationships across the ecosystem to make sure the support we offer is relevant, inclusive, and accessible.”
In many ways, it’s a continuation of her life’s work—amplifying others’ success by equipping them with the tools, introductions, and confidence they need to grow.
Leaning Into a City That Builds Together
Dena has wasted no time jumping into the local conversation since arriving in KC. She’s been part of several strategy sessions and roundtables focused on supporting small businesses in the lead-up to major international events like the 2026 World Cup.
“These discussions—led by groups like BizCare, New2KC, Keystone, the KC Chamber, and others—have been so collaborative and energizing,” she said. “I’m excited to see how Kansas City leverages these global opportunities to create lasting economic impact for our local businesses.”
When asked what makes Kansas City special, Dena doesn’t hesitate: “People love this city. There’s a strong service mindset here—people want their neighbors to succeed, and they’re willing to roll up their sleeves to help make that happen.”
Advice for Future Transplants? Dive In.
“Kansas City is full of opportunity—but you have to be ready to engage,” she said. “It’s the kind of place where your neighbor might know everything about you, but they’ll also show up to help at a moment’s notice. If you’re open to connection, you’ll find community here.”
It’s quite clear that Dena brings a rare mix of creativity, empathy, and systems thinking to her work. But what you might not notice at first is her unwavering desire to give back. It’s genuinely clear through the times we’ve already seen Dana in action that she is all about contributing to the growth and vitality of the entrepreneurial community here.
How to Connect with Dena
Dena encourages entrepreneurs, ecosystem partners, and new Kansas Citians to reach out and get connected. Whether you’re looking for startup support or curious about Kansas City’s growing innovation scene, she’s happy to help.
You can schedule an appointment with a KCSourceLink Navigator here or reach out to Dena directly at thomasd@kcsourcelink.com.
We’re excited to see how Dena continues to strengthen Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and empower more founders to succeed.
Check back next week for our next New2KC Spotlight—featuring Micah DeSchepper, an incredibly talented fintech executive positively contributing to KC’s growth mindset.