Roosevelt Lyons is an accomplished professional in public and nonprofit administration with over fifteen years of experience in various executive leadership roles. Roosevelt is a Part-Time Instructor at the University of Kansas Public Management Center, where he teaches courses in leadership development for public administrators. His teaching philosophy centers on creating an interactive and inclusive learning environment that fosters critical thinking and practical application of theoretical concepts.

Prior to opening Lyons Share, Roosevelt served as Vice President of Advocacy at the Quality Schools Coalition, where he oversaw community engagement, stakeholder engagement, and communication strategies. In this role, Roosevelt led coalition-building efforts, implements legislative and regulatory strategies, and advocates for educational initiatives through public speaking engagements and community events.

Previously, Roosevelt held several key positions with the City of Kansas City, Missouri, culminating in his role as Interim Director of Parks and Recreation. He is the first person of color and the youngest to hold that position. In this capacity, he managed all city parks, parkways, recreational facilities, and playgrounds, overseeing a $60+ million annual budget and 380 full-time employees. He also consulted with the City Council and City Manager, making significant policy decisions and implementing strategic plans.

As Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation, Roosevelt directed various divisions, managed the department's budget, coordinated the department’s request for ARP funding, and led the development and implementation of the department’s COVID-19 response plan. They also collaborated with community partners to establish virtual learning centers and designed new public engagement strategies.

Earlier in his career, as Superintendent of Parks and Recreation, Roosevelt implemented customer service improvements for over 500,000 annual visitors, managed a budget of over $7 million, and coordinated staff for numerous recreation programs. He represented the City at professional conferences, presenting on leadership, staff development, and change management.

Roosevelt also served as a Senior Advisor in the Office of Civic and Community Engagement for Mayor “Sly” James of Kansas City, Missouri. In this role, he managed the Mayor’s Office's 311 cases and constituent correspondence database, developed and implemented a $500,000 budget for youth development programs, and oversaw multiple programs providing career and leadership opportunities for youth. Roosevelt was instrumental in creating and managing the Mayor’s Nights summer youth recreational programs and performed extensive community outreach on behalf of the Mayor’s Office.

Roosevelt holds a Master of Public Administration with an emphasis in Urban Administration from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He also completed various professional development programs, including the Public Leadership Credential from Harvard Kennedy School and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification from the University of Kansas. He is a Core Strengths Master Facilitator. His extensive education and professional experience make him a valuable asset in the field of public administration and urban planning.

Roosevelt currently resides in Kansas City, MO with his partner, Megan. Between them they have four children.