As the city of Leawood celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, Leawood Mayor Peggy Dunn will retire from elected office after 27 years of dedicated and tireless service. After serving as Leawood's mayor for more than one-third of the city's overall history—winning reelection to the city’s top post seven times—she will not seek reelection and will pass the baton to a future mayor with unenviably big shoes to fill.
Leawood Lifestyle Magazine would like to celebrate the service of Mayor Dunn, an ardent supporter of the city of Leawood and this publication.
A lifelong resident of the Greater Kansas City area, Peggy Dunn is from Raytown, Missouri. Her family moved to Prairie Village in 1964 where Peggy attended Bishop Miege High School. She graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and has served as Mayor of Leawood since 1997. She is also highly involved with a number of civic and nonprofit organizations, including serving on the Governing Boards of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, Union Station Kansas City, Hall Family Foundation, Rockhurst University, and Johnson County Education Research Triangle Authority. She serves as an Advisory Board Member of both the Leawood and the Greater Kansas City Chambers of Commerce. Peggy and her husband, Terry Dunn (of JE Dunn Construction Group), have four grown children and 14 grandchildren.
Throughout her time as mayor, Leawood nearly doubled in size, from approximately 19,000 residents to 35,000 residents today. Mayor Dunn oversaw Leawood’s high-quality growth in several sectors, including the retail completion of Town Center Plaza at 119th and Roe and Park Place Shopping Center at 115th and Ash. According to the Chamber of Commerce, Leawood is 15 square miles of a built environment with “sophisticated character, a well-maintained network of streets, parks, and public art...known for being one of the safest suburbs in the metro, and has a nationally ranked public school system.” Mayor Dunn’s leadership played a key role in that distinction to the point that Leawood’s original tagline has officially changed from “Growing with Distinction” to “Living with Distinction.”
HEARTFELT APPRECIATION FROM CITY COLLEAGUES
“Mayor Dunn was completely devoted to the City of Leawood,” says City Attorney Patricia A. Bennett, who has worked with Mayor Dunn since 1999. “She has always been involved and supportive of the city’s public art program. She was at the helm for the build-out of important projects such as Town Center, Town Center Crossing, Park Place and Church of the Resurrection. She was on the governing body for the construction of the new City Hall building and in the Mayor’s seat for the development of Ironwoods Park, I-Lan Park, Gezer Park, the new Fire Station No. 3, Fire Station No. 1, the Public Works and Parks Maintenance facilities and the Justice Center. She is a smart, warm and compassionate woman with an unwavering focus on community, respect for others and customer service. People are drawn to her for her intellect, interest, devotion, sincerity and her huge heart.”
Councilmember Gary Bussing, Ward 3, served for 15 years on city council with Mayor Dunn as she led the city through rapid diverse growth. He says that throughout that time, her focus was always on what was best for the city and its citizens.
“She is just so darned nice,” Bussing says. “She is that rare individual who raises people, making everyone feel appreciated. She gives you her undivided attention and has an encyclopedic memory for peoples’ names. Growth/change is challenging to many folks, but Mayor Dunn’s great strength was her ability to find compromise and to truly care for the city and its citizens. She was always prepared, pleasant, open, transparent and encouraging. Her tireless work ethic, intelligence and preparation created a positive and productive city council.”
With both vision and attention to detail, Mayor Dunn was a role model to many, including Councilmember Debra Filla, Ward 1 (Old Leawood).
“Although global in her vision, Mayor Dunn is also all about the details, watching or reading the Planning Commission meetings, participating in community events, ribbon cuttings, Dare Graduations, all faith celebrations, and achievements by our citizens, just to name a few,” Filla states. “Mayor Dunn combines fun and fellowship by celebrating teamwork at the conclusion of work efforts such as the approval of the annual budget. She always made time for everyone to speak and ask questions, even if it meant that the meeting went to midnight, allowing citizens, staff, developers and council to be heard. But perhaps the one thing I admire the most is that Mayor Peggy Dunn, above all else, is the definition of gracious.”
Graciousness is a word often used to describe Mayor Dunn.
“Some of her greatest and most endearing strengths are her even temperament and grace under pressure,” says Councilmember Mary Larson, Ward 2. “She is also quick to share credit and recognize Leawood community volunteers and Leawood staff for a job well done. Her dedication and professionalism are unparalleled, and the energy and enthusiasm she has displayed for her community and its residents are truly remarkable. Thoughtful planning and attention to detail can be seen everywhere you look in Leawood. That is her legacy.”
Councilmember Lisa Harrison, Ward 3, says that Mayor Dunn’s impact on Leawood has been ongoing for decades.
“It might be impossible to name another person who has served the city in such an important and impactful role for so many years,” Harrison states. “Mayor Dunn has provided thoughtful and important leadership for Leawood during decades of growth and prosperity. She has led our city with grace and integrity. She is approachable, fair and empathetic. She has an incredible memory for faces, facts and numbers, and she does the research needed to make the important decisions.”
Gregory J. Peppes served on the city council with Mayor Dunn for 12 years, calling her “a leading force” in Leawood’s numerous commercial developments of the past several decades, including initiating the relationship with “like cities abroad” or sister cities that include Elan, Taiwan and the Gezar Region in Israel. Peppes says Mayor Dunn balanced commercial and business developments while expanding and keeping the integrity of a bedroom community together.
“It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve with Mayor Dunn. Her leadership as mayor and her friendship with me has given me a first-hand look at what a leader is and what an inspiring person she truly is,” Peppes says. “Mayor Dunn is genuinely a nice person and truly believes that Leawood is a great place to live and do business.”
Councilmember James Azeltine, Ward 4, adds that Mayor Dunn’s greatest accomplishment was providing the vision in shepherding the development of Leawood’s limited commercially zoned land, becoming the first city in Johnson County with true mixed-use development like Park Place and Mission Farms, prompting other cities to follow suit.
“I have worked with CEOs, senators and governors, and Peggy is one of the best leaders I have ever encountered,” Azeltine states. “She governed with a velvet glove. She also had the ideal temperament for a mayor. Things could get contentious at times, and she always kept her cool and made sure that we were able to put contentious issues behind us and move on to the next one.”
Mayor Dunn is often credited for growing Leawood from a basic bedroom community to a vibrant retail, commercial and residential city.
“Her accomplishments and touches are everywhere,” says Councilman Jim Rawlings, Ward 2, who has served with the mayor for 24 years. “Her utmost dedication to her job as mayor guided the council and staff with her excellent listening and compromising skills to help make Leawood evolve into a first-class city of livability, second to none. It has been an honor working beside her. She is a true ambassador for the city and has helped make our city what it is today.”
As an ambassador, Mayor Dunn is often lauded for her professionalism and tact.
“She represents Leawood exceptionally well in the greater Kansas City community area and is recognized wherever she goes,” says Councilmember Chuck Sipple, Ward 3. “She manages her relationships with citizens, the staff and fellow elected officials with balance, grace and courtesy. She does not allow partisan politics to come into play with the city council. We remain apolitical and not agenda driven. She will be fondly remembered for 25 years of balanced, professional and outstanding service to the citizens of Leawood.”
Councilmember Andrew Osman, Ward 1, credits Mayor Dunn for having the “uncanny ability to be everything to everybody all at once.”
“She personally engages with everyone,” Osman states. “She has left a legacy of caring for our community at every level, from public safety, building bonds with international communities, supporting local business, and creating a city that treasures arts and open spaces. She worked with the Park Place Development team and the state of Kansas to bring in the AMC Theater corporate office and oversaw city projects like the Justice Center, art in public places, and park improvements. Without her, Leawood would not be as enriched as it is today.”
In addition to the city council, many key city employees were effusive in their praise of Mayor Dunn’s leadership style.
“She is just such a genuinely nice person who seems to truly care about everyone,” says Travis Torrez, M.C.P., director of Building and Code Enforcement. “She has always handled city business with kindness, passion and grace. With attention to detail and a commitment to providing the Leawood citizens the very best, she has helped make Leawood what it is today—one of the greatest cities in the country.”
Colin Fitzgerald, Fire Chief of Leawood Fire Department, has worked with Mayor Dunn for more than 12 years, saying “Mayor Dunn has been an integral part of the city of Leawood for so long, marshaling it through growth from a small city on the outskirts of the KC Metro to a vibrant city that sets the standard for excellence in design and amenities. It is now common for the city of Leawood to be named among the best in the nation for quality of life, safety, property value and high standards. City employees are constantly recognized by the mayor for their contributions, and she truly cares about the happiness and well-being of all who work here.”
Chief Fitzgerald adds that Mayor Dunn set the standard for a city known for “high value, prosperous and elegant design, and most importantly, safe and happy citizens and employees.”
Dale Finger, Chief of Police, Leawood Police Department, says that he has the “utmost respect and gratitude” for Mayor Dunn’s service.
“Her unwavering commitment to our community has left an indelible mark,” he states. “Throughout her tenure as mayor, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership, vision and a deep passion for the well-being of our city and its residents. Her tireless efforts to improve our infrastructure, promote economic growth, and enhance the quality of life for all Leawood citizens have been truly remarkable. On behalf of the Leawood Police Department, I want to extend my sincere appreciation for her steadfast support of us and her unrelenting advocacy for the safety of the city of Leawood. Under her leadership, Leawood has prospered and evolved into a vibrant, thriving community. Her service has been a shining example of selflessness, and her leadership has made Leawood a better place to live, work and raise a family.”
“We thank my mother for her 26 years as the mayor of Leawood. She has really watched this city grow and flourish.” — Pat Dunn, eldest son
“I applaud my mom for always conducting herself in such a dignified and gracious manner. If more politicians and people had her attributes, this world would be a much better place. Her legacy is one of greatness. She wanted Leawood to win more than herself and that’s rare especially in politics anymore.” — Mike Dunn, youngest son
“Mayor Dunn holds a special place in our hearts as a true cornerstone in the realization and championing of the Leawood magazine. Her leadership and dedication have been a beacon for the community, impacting countless families and businesses in every aspect of its growth and success. As Mayor Dunn begins a new chapter in her life, we're filled with both gratitude and sadness. We'll truly miss her, yet we're excited for her next journey. Mayor Dunn, your legacy is ensured, and positive change will continue to thrive. With heartfelt appreciation, we thank Mayor Dunn for her efforts and support in making our dream of a community magazine a reality. Your contributions to the community will forever be cherished in the heart of Leawood.” — Steven Schowengerdt, CEO of City Lifestyle and the Leawood Lifestyle Magazine Team
