In A World With Julie Sayers - Episode 44

In this interview on the In a World with Real Media podcast, host Brad Burrow interviews Julie Sayers, one of the principals and owner of encompas and the mayor of Lenexa, Kansas. Julie Sayers was elected mayor in November 2023. Prior to that, she served as a Ward 4 council member from 2019–2023. Julie is an owner and principal of a commercial furniture dealership called encompas. She grew up in Topeka, Kansas, and earned a bachelor’s degree in interior design from the University of Kansas. She initially practiced interior design at AECOM (formerly Ellerbe Becket), one of Kansas City's firms that specializes in NBA, NFL and collegiate sports facilities. This provided her with a foundation for large-scale project management, multidisciplinary coordination and construction administration. In her role in the design community, Julie has served as president of the Mid-America Chapter of the International Interior Design Association and president of the Center for Architecture & Design Kansas City. Julie serves on the Executive Board of Climate Action KC. This group of policy makers from northeast Kansas and northwest Missouri — along with their partners in the private and nonprofit sectors — are working to enact and foster proactive strategies, systems and structures within the region to reduce greenhouse gases, improve climate resilience and generate corresponding economic, social, health and quality of life benefits. Sayers discusses her background in interior design, including her work on sports stadiums and arenas such as the Superdome and the Barclays Center. She then details her transition to encompas, a contract furniture dealership, and her eventual rise to ownership alongside three other women. The conversation shifts to the impact of COVID-19 on the contract furniture industry, with Sayers highlighting the increased demand for creating inviting and functional office spaces that entice employees back to the workplace. She also touches on the growing importance of ergonomics in both office and home settings. Sayers then shares her journey into politics, starting with her involvement in the campaign for a new airport project and culminating in her election as mayor of Lenexa. She emphasizes the importance of community engagement and her commitment to maintaining stability and delivering excellent services to residents. The interview concludes with a discussion of Lenexa's future development plans, including the completion of major projects like the AdventHealth campus, the Justice Center, and the renovation of the Community Center in Old Town. Sayers also mentions the city's comprehensive plan, which outlines the vision for Lenexa's growth and development over the next 20 years.