Mayor of Lenexa, Kansas and Principal at encompas, emboldens designers to consider a career in politics
When I was campaigning for mayor in my hometown of Lenexa, Kansas, a big part of my platform was explaining why designers are uniquely qualified to hold public office. I had a decades-long design career under my belt, including the buyout of a large contract furnishings dealer. I had held leadership roles at both the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) and the Center for Architecture and Design Kansas City. But I wondered… Could the constituents see the strengths I bring to the civic table? Would they rally behind someone without a political science or law degree?
Turns out they would and they did. I’ve been in office for almost a year now, and determining the future plans for our city has been one of our most important efforts so far. This year, we have published both a comprehensive plan—a policy guide to the built environment, covering topics like land use and development, transportation, and infrastructure—and a master plan for Lenexa’s parks and recreation. These roadmaps will help guide future growth of the city, the amount of green space we provide and maintain, and how we deliver upon the vision our residents have for our community. Carefully considering and planning for the community’s current and future needs, while taking into account budgetary constraints, logistics, and residents’ varied and sometimes incongruous needs, is a skillset I’ve honed through my work as a designer.
As a young designer with Ellerbe Becket (later acquired by AECOM) working on collegiate and professional sports facilities, I was schooled in large-scale project management, multi-disciplinary coordination and construction administration. At encompas, where I was a senior project manager for eleven years before assuming co-ownership of the firm, I got my “master’s degree” in business and finance. And thanks to my time as president of IIDA’s Mid-America Chapter—during which I advocated for legislation that reflects the value and expertise of certified interior designers—I have a higher education in community politics for the greater good.
What I hope the stepping stones of my career show is that the skills designers possess and acquire on the job—people skills, project management skills, the ability to balance competing needs, and the desire to improve public health, safety, and welfare through design—are applicable to any type of elected position, whether it directly impacts the built environment or not.
First and foremost, designers are excellent at problem-solving, particularly at understanding a problem’s full scope and finding solutions within a defined set of parameters and budget. For example, Lenexa is putting its weight behind expanding the city’s electric vehicle (EV) charging network. As a designer (and the proud owner of an EV who often finds herself parked at the sketchiest part of a truck stop to charge), I can attest to the fact that the experience of EV charging is far beneath that of pumping gas. More often than not, EV stations are few and far between, poorly lit, not covered to protect vehicle owners from the elements, and typically located far away from the convenience store (less than ideal when you need to grab a water or coffee). The point being that inasmuch as expanding the nation’s EV network at the municipal level is about funding, it’s also an intriguing design challenge. If we are going to get more people to buy and drive EVs, and do our part as a community to combat the larger problem of climate change, then the experience has to evolve for the better in a meaningful way.
Good design, at its best, makes for a good life, on the individual scale and broader scale. It’s apolitical in a way, because good design serves everybody. Be it adding EV charging stations, building a community pool, advocating for a new airport, or solving challenges that help better deliver public safety or equitable housing choices, each decision we make impacts people now and into the future. Like designers, politicians are creating a sense of place. Furthermore, whether your “client” is a single office or a city of 2 million people, you are creating social capital, building coalitions and trust.
If I could go back and give 20-something Julie a bit of advice it would be, “Don’t let imposter syndrome hold you back.” When people see potential in you, sometimes it makes sense to say “yes” before you have all of the details worked out. Goodness knows I didn’t have the foresight back then to clearly see my career trajectory—that stuffing goodie bags at an IIDA fashion show would lead to someone saying, “Hey, you’d be a really good president for our chapter,” which would then evolve into roles as city councilmember and mayor. I would also tell young Julie not to discount herself because she doesn’t have the “career in politics credentials” that look best on paper. The potential that others see in you is just as important, and a background in design can lead you to designing a better life for yourself and your corner of the world.
Editor’s Note: Julie Sayers was elected to serve as Mayor of Lenexa in 2023, having served one term as Ward 4 councilmember prior. After earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design from the University of Kansas, she practiced for seven years with Ellerbe Becket / AECOM working on collegiate and professional sports facilities. In 2011, Julie made a transition in the industry by joining encompas, the Haworth dealer in Kansas City, where she served as a senior project manager for eleven years. In January 2023, Julie and three other partners purchased ownership of the firm, and she now serves as principal. Julie has served as President of the Mid America Chapter of the International Interior Design Association and as President of the Center for Architecture and Design Kansas City, and she is the first elected official with the City of Lenexa to join the Leadership of Climate Action KC.