Chris Wally
Chris Wally was born and raised in Kansas City. He graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science. For more than 30 years Chris has been a commercial real estate broker. He is also the founder and CEO of Wally & Co. – a commercial real estate firm exclusively representing office tenants. Chris is involved in several organizations: KC Rising Steering Committee Member (2015-present), Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC) Real Estate Advisory Council Co-Chair, Overland Park Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee Member (2007-present), and Program Chair Leadership Overland Park. Chris didn’t have any animals until his late 20s when he got a Brittany Spaniel puppy named Hunter. He says he was inseparable from the dog, who changed his life for the better. Since then he has had nine more family dogs and two cats.
Chris and Susan have been proud supporters of Wayside for nearly 25 years! They currently live in Leawood, KS on ten acres to accommodate their dogs, enjoy nearby wildlife, and allow Chris room for his cars. Joining them at home are their four Waif Alums: English Setters Gracie and Boone, Shepherd mix Stella (who Susan calls the United Nations of a dog while Chris gave her the name L.P. for ‘Last Puppy’), and 16 year old black cat, Maggie. While both Chris and Susan say Harold Melcher was one of their inspirations in their commitment to the KC community, Susan also gives credit to Ewing Kauffman and Bert Berkley while Chris gives an additional nod to his beloved wife. Susan explained her love for animals, which beautifully sums up why she and her husband support Wayside: “As we (humans, scientists) learn more about animals, I continue to grow in appreciation of the true gift they are to us…and also in the responsibility we have to do our best to care for them.”
Susan Wally
Susan Wally was born in McPherson, Kansas and moved to Kansas City for college. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Education/English Studies (Psychology and German minors) from Ottawa University, her Masters of Arts in Secondary School Administration from Kansas State University, her Education Specialist degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and her Superintendent’s credential from the University of Kansas. In 2006, Susan founded PREP-KC (The Partnerships for Educational Preparation) to focus on creating at-scale college and career preparation for urban school districts. She is the President and CEO of PREP-KC. Susan has served on a number of committees and task forces for the KC region (MARC, Greater KC Chamber, and The Kauffman Foundation), and on the past board of directors for KC Friends of Alvin Ailey. She’s currently serving on the Board for Wayside Waifs (is now on the advisory council and was previously a board member), the Board for The Center for the Collaborative Classroom (Oakland, CA), on Governor Laura Kelly’s Kansas Council on Education (co-chairing the Committee for Work-Based Learning), and is a board member for the Jack and Helyn Miller Foundation. Additionally, she mentors young professionals planning a career in nonprofit leadership. Susan supports Wayside Waifs because of the care and love they provide animals as well as their Humane Education program.
Chris and Susan have been proud supporters of Wayside for nearly 25 years! They currently live in Leawood, KS on ten acres to accommodate their dogs, enjoy nearby wildlife, and allow Chris room for his cars. Joining them at home are their four Waif Alums: English Setters Gracie and Boone, Shepherd mix Stella (who Susan calls the United Nations of a dog while Chris gave her the name L.P. for ‘Last Puppy’), and 16 year old black cat, Maggie. While both Chris and Susan say Harold Melcher was one of their inspirations in their commitment to the KC community, Susan also gives credit to Ewing Kauffman and Bert Berkley while Chris gives an additional nod to his beloved wife. Susan explained her love for animals, which beautifully sums up why she and her husband support Wayside: “As we (humans, scientists) learn more about animals, I continue to grow in appreciation of the true gift they are to us…and also in the responsibility we have to do our best to care for them.”
Preparing pets and people for the bond of their lives.
We accomplish our mission by...
Caring for the animals under
our watch;
Reaching out to the community
for love and support;
Teaching others about the
profound joy that pets
bring to our lives.
Wayside Waifs is committed to finding homes for all adoptable pets. Wayside is the largest pet adoption campus in Kansas City, placing nearly 6,000 animals each year in loving forever homes.
Wayside does not euthanize adoptable animals, and there are no time limits for animals in our care. Only animals suffering from significant medical issues or those that pose danger are humanely euthanized. Wayside Waifs is proud to be a part of Kansas City’s no kill community.
To learn more about Wayside Waifs and our services visit www.waysidewaifs.org
