Beyond the Office: How the KARL Program Took One Kennedy Berkley Attorney to Brazil

At Kennedy Berkley, we believe the growth of our attorneys doesn’t just happen inside the office. It happens in conversations, new environments, and moments where you’re pushed just outside of what’s familiar.

That’s why opportunities like the Kansas Agricultural and Rural Leadership Program- KARL matter. Not just for the individuals selected, but for the communities and clients they ultimately serve.

Recently, our Dodge City attorney, Paige Harding, had the opportunity to travel to Brazil as part of her second year in the KARL program. While the miles were significant, what she brought back goes far beyond geography.

Why This Matters (And Why It’s Rare)

There’s something worth pausing on here. This wasn’t five years into her career. This wasn’t a “someday” opportunity. This 2 year program happened in her first year as an attorney.

At Kennedy Berkley, we trust our people early. We invest early. And we believe that when you place high-capacity individuals in meaningful rooms, they come back sharper, more connected, and more aware of the world their clients are operating in.

Programs like KARL are designed to do exactly that, bring together individuals from different industries, backgrounds, and generations, and challenge them to think bigger.

For Paige, that meant stepping into a completely new environment, surrounded by people she may have never crossed paths with otherwise.

In Paige’s Words: The Experience

“If I’m being honest, I didn’t fully know what to expect going into it. But what I quickly realized is that this wasn’t just a trip—it was an experience built around our KARL people.”

“From the moment we arrived, every day looked different. We were touring agricultural operations, meeting with local leaders, and learning how things are done in a completely different ag industry than what I was used to seeing in Kansas.”

Paige and her KARL cohort traveled through multiple regions of Brazil, gaining firsthand exposure to the country’s agricultural systems—something that directly connects to the industries many of our Kansas clients are part of.

“There were moments where we’d be standing on these massive operations, looking out over land that seemed to go on forever, and it really puts things into perspective. Not just the size—but the approach, the innovation, the challenges they face, the way they think about production and sustainability.”

But what stood out just as much as the landscapes were the relationships being built along the way.

“One of the biggest things that has impacted me throughout my entire KARL experience is the group itself, my class. You’re surrounded by people from different parts of Kansas, different industries, different ages, different backgrounds—and you’re all experiencing these new awesome things together in real time.”

“Some of the best conversations didn’t happen in a meeting room. They happened on bus rides, over dinners, waiting in line, or just in the in-between moments of the trip.”

Those in-between moments are where something deeper started to take shape.

“Being able to step outside of what’s familiar really forces you to think differently. You start asking better questions, you listen more, and you begin to understand just how connected everything really is—across industries, across countries, across people. One of my favorite parts about traveling to Brazil has been my time at home since then because I often find myself reflecting on my experiences and connecting those to things I’m seeing here at home.”

From navigating cultural differences to simply observing how business and agriculture operate in another part of the world, the experience offered something that’s hard to replicate in a traditional setting.

“There’s just no substitute for seeing it firsthand. You can read about it, you can hear about it but being there, experiencing it, and processing it alongside other people… that’s what makes it stick.”

More Than Travel—It’s Access

There’s a phrase Paige used that stuck:

“It opened doors—and honestly, plane seats—that I never would have found on my own.”

That’s the reality of programs like KARL. They create access - access to people, access to ideas, access to conversations that shape how you think, lead, and serve.

For a young attorney, that kind of exposure is powerful. Experiences like this don’t stay abroad. They often make the trip back home, showing up in how conversations are handled, how problems are approached, and how clients are understood. 

For Paige, it reinforced something simple but important:

“There’s value in getting outside of your day-to-day life. It makes you better when you come back to it.”

At a firm like Kennedy Berkley where so much of the work is rooted in people, relationships, and long-term thinking, that kind of growth matters.

Investing in People, On Purpose

Paige’s experience is a reflection of something bigger. We’re not just building a team, we’re building individuals who are equipped to think critically, lead confidently, and serve clients with a broader understanding of the world around them.

Sometimes, that means saying yes to opportunities that take you far beyond Kansas. Only to bring something even more valuable back.

If you’re interested in learning more about our team or the work we do across Kansas, we invite you to connect with us.