Leawood Chamber of Commerce taps Stephanie Meyer as new president

The Leawood Chamber of Commerce has announced former Shawnee city councilmember Stephanie Meyer as its next president and chief executive officer.

Meyer’s background: Meyer previously worked as the community engagement and public finance leader at the DLR Group architecture firm, where she helped K-12 school district map out bond measures before undergoing renovations.

Before accepting her new role, Meyer also served as a member of the Shawnee City Council for more than six years — three of which included serving as council president.
“I love the hybrid of working in the private sector but working for public organizations,” she said. “It’s been a really fun few years for me.”

Shaping the role: Meyer said when she found out the Leawood Chamber was seeking a new president, she thought it would be a good way to combine the different sectors of professional experience she has had in the last 20 years.

Particularly, she said her work on the Shawnee City Council feeds into her new role because of her experience working on economic development in downtown Shawnee and in the city’s western corridor.
“I think I have the understanding from the business perspective from the last seven years,” she said. “But also the governmental perspective on what it’s like to be a councilmember and have those conversations about economic development. Sort of both sides of that coin.”

Leawood Stephanie Meyer — Above, a headshot of Stephanie Meyer. Image courtesy of Taylor Limoges/Leawood Chamber of Commerce

Leawood Chamber history and search

Meyer steps in for previous Chamber President Kevin Jeffries, who was the Chamber’s first president and led the organization for more than 20 years.

The search began for a new CEO and president after Jeffries took on a new role with De Soto’s Unified School District 232.
Following his resignation, Jeffries remained an advisor to the Chamber.
Meyer will officially step into the role at the beginning of October.

Key quote: “I feel really blessed to have the opportunity to take on the role,” Meyer said. “I’m really invested in bettering my community that’s my number one priority in any situation. And this is such a fantastic way to do that.”