Melodee Colbert-Kean Elected – new President of National League of Cities

Former Mayor Melodee Colbert-Kean was elected president of the National League of Cities (NLC) at the organization’s annual Congress of Cities and Exposition in Nashville, Tenn. Colbert-Kean, who served as NLC’s first vice president in 2015, was elected by the membership to lead the organization for a one-year term and will play a key role in shaping NLC’s priorities and directing the organization’s advocacy, education, research and membership activities. NLC is the nation’s largest and most representative membership and advocacy organization for city officials.
“City leaders and the communities they serve are on the front lines of the issues that fuel American success. We are the first adopters of innovation and have been the leaders in economic recovery,” said National League of Cities (NLC) President Melodee Colbert-Kean, councilmember and former mayor, Joplin, Mo. “I am honored and thrilled to serve as National League of Cities president. Over the next year, the National League of Cities will work to ensure every local government knows that they have a place within our organization. I look forward to continuing to grow our membership and ensure that the priorities that matter the most to cities are at the forefront of federal policy.”
In her inaugural address to the NLC membership, Colbert-Kean announced that this year her priorities will include youth advocacy, increasing the leadership capacity of local elected officials and growing NLC’s membership.