racy Whelpley serves as the Director of Regional Impact for KC2026, the organization leading Kansas City’s preparations for hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026. In this role, she works closely with a diverse network of public and private stakeholders to develop and implement strategies that ensure the tournament generates both immediate excitement and long-term economic and community benefits across the bi-state region.

With more than 25 years of experience in brand marketing, regional business attraction, and industry development, Tracy brings a cross-sector perspective that spans technology, agriculture, mobility, and consumer products. Her strength lies in translating ambitious, multi-layered initiatives into focused, results-driven strategies that deliver measurable impact.

Prior to rejoining Kansas City, Tracy was Senior Vice President at Greater St. Louis, Inc., where she led major initiatives such as STLMade—a region-wide campaign to attract businesses and talent—and played an instrumental role in developing the GeoFutures Strategic Roadmap, a blueprint for establishing St. Louis as a global hub for geospatial innovation.

She holds a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Missouri – Columbia and a Master’s in Marketing from the University of Missouri – Kansas City.

Tracy is passionate about ensuring that Kansas City’s moment on the global stage translates into meaningful opportunities for the region—elevating its global profile, fostering inclusive growth, and creating a legacy of collaboration and innovation for years to come.