By Andrea Klick
The Kansas City Star
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Fire Chief Donna Lake will step into a new role as assistant city manager in Lee’s Summit next month, the city announced Thursday.
Lake will take over the role on Feb. 6 after stepping down from the fire department at the end of the month. As one of three assistant city managers, Lake will help lead city operations and implement strategic initiatives.
In a news release, Lee’s Summit city manager Mark Dunning said he’s excited for Lake to take on the new job.
“Her depth of experience implementing successful programs and initiatives will be a tremendous addition to our team as we look to the future of our City,” Dunning said.
Lake worked in the fire department for 30 years and served as chief since November 2019, when she became the first woman to lead the department.
As chief, she oversaw a $214 million budget, made advancements to workplace diversity and equity and created a community paramedicine program.
Lake also worked as an assistant city manager for Kansas City, overseeing public safety, IT consolidation and planning and coordination of city events. In 2014, she became assistant fire chief and oversaw internal financial divisions and created a fleet replacement program adopted by fire departments across the country.
Since joining the department in 1992, she has worked in the training academy and served as hazardous materials unit battalion chief, special operations deputy fire chief and assistant chief.
“I am excited to join the City of Lee’s Summit team and bring my experience and energy to the projects I’ll be working on in this thriving community,” said Lake in a news release. “I’ve been honored to serve the residents of Kansas City for more than 30 years and will bring that level of commitment to the residents of Lee’s Summit.”
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