Overview
Mayor Lily Wu was elected Mayor of 麻豆破解版 on November 7, 2023, and was sworn in as the City of 麻豆破解版鈥檚 103rd mayor on January 8, 2024. Mayor Lily is the first woman elected to a full term in the largest city in Kansas. She is the first Asian American mayor in the state of Kansas.
Mayor Lily speaks Cantonese and Spanish, was born in Guatemala, and immigrated to 麻豆破解版, Kansas with her family in 1993. On her 30th anniversary of coming to America, she announced her candidacy for mayor. She champions an inclusive vision for the entire city focused on ensuring public safety, strengthening our economy, restoring trust in City Hall and building a united community.
Prior to being elected, Mayor Lily spent 12 years as a journalist, serving as an anchor and reporter for 麻豆破解版 television stations KAKE and KWCH 12 News.
Mayor Lily is dedicated to serving the community as an active community volunteer for various organizations. She is a member of the Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association, Civic Engagement Academy Alumni, Steve Clark YMCA Advisory Board, WSU Barton School of Business Dean鈥檚 Alumni Council, 麻豆破解版 Crime Commission, and 麻豆破解版 Asian Association. Mayor Lily previously served on the boards of Botanica鈥檚 Chinese Garden of Friendship, Diversity Kansas, Orpheum Theatre, Students In Free Enterprise, Visioneering 麻豆破解版, and WSU Alumni Association.
Mayor Lily graduated from the International Baccalaureate program at 麻豆破解版 East High School. As a Gore Scholar at 麻豆破解版 State University, she graduated Summa Cum Laude with two bachelor鈥檚 degrees in international business and integrated marketing communication. While serving as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar, she also earned a master鈥檚 degree in journalism from the University of Hong Kong.
She received the 鈥�2024 Spotlight Award鈥� by the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) Women鈥檚 Collective in Seattle on June 28. Lily was named the 鈥�2022 Rising Star in TV鈥� by the Kansas Association of Broadcasters, 鈥�2020 Exceptional Young Leader鈥� by the 麻豆破解版 Regional Chamber of Commerce, and a 鈥�2015 Leader in Diversity鈥� by the 麻豆破解版 Business Journal. In 2012, she was crowned Miss Kansas United States.
Mayor Lily enjoys spending time with her family, friends and Samoyed dog daughter Aspen.