Side hustle to help autistic adults belong in the workplace earns young founder Student Entrepreneur of the Year honor

Grace Kertz is redefining what workplace inclusivity can look like with Sensory Sync, an AI-powered platform designed to support neurodivergent employees. Her work on the innovative venture on Thursday earned her the title of UMKC Student Entrepreneur of the Year.

“Sensory sync is an enterprise grade DEI and wellness platform sold to companies. It utilizes AI to identify employee sensory sensitivities in the work environment,” explained Kertz on stage during the UMKC Henry W. Bloch School of Management annual Entrepreneur of the Year awards at Copaken Stage at the H&R Block World Headquarters in downtown Kansas City.

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Inspired by her brother’s struggles with sensory overload in the workplace, Kertz, a junior at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, set out to create a solution that addresses a common yet often overlooked challenge.

“Imagine this: You’re in your dream job, but each day, bright lights, noise, and constant pressure wear you down,” she explained during her recent pitch at UMKC’s Side Hustle Challenge, “This is the reality for so many autistic adults.”

Her Sensory Sync platform provides daily check-ins through an AI chatbot that helps employees identify sensory triggers and suggests self-regulation strategies. The platform also gathers anonymous data, offering employers insights into workplace stressors without compromising privacy. 

“Sensory Sync finds patterns so companies can learn what’s causing stress without knowing anyone’s personal details,” Kertz said, noting this information helps organizations create more supportive environments, boosting productivity and retention.

Grace Kertz, Sensory Sync, right, poses with Jeff Hornsby, executive director of the Regnier Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and chair of UMKC’s department of Global Entrepreneurship and Innovation, after being named UMKC’s Student Entrepreneur of the Year; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

Winning the Student Entrepreneur of the Year award was a milestone in Kertz’s entrepreneurial journey, which she initially approached with hesitation, she said.

“I admired the creativity and problem-solving of other student ventures, but I worried that entrepreneurship would distract from my marketing studies,” Kertz said. “I quickly realized they enhanced each other.”

Her journey began with UMKC’s Enactus program, where she led a project to donate surplus food to shelters. She later founded Attuned Wellness, a campus organization supporting students’ physical, mental, and social health. These experiences laid the foundation for Sensory Sync, she said.

Kertz plans to continue developing Sensory Sync while studying abroad at Germany’s University of Mannheim.

“The unification of analytical and creative thinking I exercise in entrepreneurship will be central to my career,” she said, expressing gratitude to her mentors and support system.

Natasha Herdman, founder and CEO of Pawsperity, speaks after being named winner of UMKC’s Marion and John Kreamer Award for Social Entrepreneurship; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

Marion and John Kreamer Award for Social Entrepreneurship

Natasha Herdman, founder and CEO of Pawsperity, was awarded the Marion and John Kreamer Award for Social Entrepreneurship, recognizing her innovative efforts to break the cycle of poverty through dog grooming education.

Relocating to Kansas City as a stay-at-home mom, Herdman began volunteering with the local homeless community, where she witnessed systemic barriers keeping people trapped in poverty. A conversation with her mom, a dog groomer struggling to find help, sparked the idea for Pawsperity.

“I knew they needed a career— high demand, high wage, felon-friendly, and learnable in under a year,” Herdman said. “I chose dog grooming because groomers earn $40,000 to $100,000 a year and meet all the qualifications for a struggling single mom.”

Since opening as The Grooming Project in 2016 — later rebranded as Pawsperity — the nonprofit has trained more than 156 graduates with a 96 percent job placement rate. In 2022, Pawsperity expanded with a 16,000-square-foot facility offering grooming training and housing for students and their families.

Herdman plans to scale Pawsperity nationally, creating a licensing model for other nonprofits and furthering its impact.

McCownGordon founders Brett Gordon and Pat McCown speak after being honored as UMKC’s Kansas City Entrepreneurs of the Year and
Bloch Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame Inductees; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

KC Entrepreneur of the Year and Entrepreneur Hall of Fame Inductees

Pat McCown and Brett Gordon, co-founders of McCownGordon Construction, were named Kansas City Entrepreneurs of the Year and inducted into the UMKC Entrepreneur Hall of Fame for their profound impact on the Kansas City region. 

Since founding their company in 1999, McCown and Gordon have focused on three core values: integrity, relationships, and performance. These principles have guided their firm to complete more than 250 regional projects, including iconic projects like the Children’s Mercy Research Institute and Garmin headquarters. The company is currently constructing UMKC’s new Healthcare Delivery and Innovation Building.

Reflecting on receiving the prestigious award, McCown expressed deep thanks.

“Let me just start by saying how grateful we are and how honored we are to be standing here today,” he said. “What an incredible honor.”

He drew inspiration from Henry Bloch, the renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist for whom the business school at UMKC is named, as well as the H&R Block World Headquarters in which Thursday’s event was organized.

“When I think about Henry Bloch, he was the quintessential entrepreneur. He not only built an amazing company but influenced the entire community. His leadership, philanthropy, and passion for education still resound throughout the Greater Kansas City area today.”

A defining moment for McCownGordon came in 2018, when the company transitioned to 100 percent employee ownership, the co-founder said.

“Brett and I are profoundly grateful that you chose McCownGordon to put your time, energy, and efforts into,” McCown told their team. “This recognition is for all of you as well.”

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