2026 40 Under 40: Ren Luebbering

Springfield-Branson National Airport

BY: Gregory Holman, Deputy Editorgholman@sbj.net

Posted online April 3, 2026 | 2:05 pm

Your first job? Giraffe deck attendant and train depot cashier at Dickerson Park Zoo.
What about your job would shock people? People are more willing to say “yes” to being on camera than you would ever expect. If you give clear direction and lots of praise, people will surprise you and want to be a part of the joy you’re creating.
What did you learn the hard way? Totally changing industries at 35 was the scariest choice I’ve ever made. But when you believe in yourself and take the leap, you’d be surprised how high you can fly.
Your most treasured possession? My right-hand ring symbolizes my two kids, Eli and Evelyn. Kids didn’t come easily for my husband, Kevin, and me but constant gratitude for them always has.

For Ren Luebbering, marketing is storytelling – and storytelling is marketing.

“Marketing became a doorway to have a two-way conversation with an audience, to engage and respond to their needs,” she says, reflecting on a career rooted in stories.

Among her wins: In April, Luebbering, 36, completes her first year as the airport’s team leader for marketing. She’s known for leading the airport’s recent “Bye Bye Carpet” campaign, netting hundreds of thousands of social media views and some $10,000 raised for local arts and charitable organizations. Earlier, she had an 11-year stint in communication strategy for Springfield Public Schools.

She chose marketing in the public sector to help improve the community: “The more passengers we have, the better air service we have, the better quality of place we have, the better our city.”