Michael Poppa

Michael Poppa joined Mainstream Coalition as Executive Director in January 2020, after serving as Council President for the City of Roeland Park, Kansas, and working for the Northeast Johnson County Chamber of Commerce as the Director of Member Engagement. In 2014, he became an “accidental activist” as Chair of the Metro KC chapter of Equality Kansas where he spearheaded the grassroots organizing efforts and coalition building that led to the passage of the first LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination city ordinance in Johnson County. In 2015, he was elected to the Roeland Park City Council where he became the first openly gay elected official to serve on a city governing body in Johnson County, Kansas. 
 
Poppa’s local activism and public service helped to pave the way for the subsequent passage of over 12 additional LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinances in the county metro. He has also served the regional community on various boards and commissions, including The Mid-America LGBT Chamber Public Policy Committee, Climate Action KC Policy Committee, Suicide Awareness Survivor Support, Mid-America First Suburbs Coalition, and The Barn Players Community Theatre. Prior to his work in advocacy and politics, he was a hospitality professional in corporate and small business operations, with an emphasis on personnel and resource management.