Debbie Deere joined the Kansas Main Street Program as Assistant Director in January 2024. Previously, she worked as the Executive Director of the Leavenworth Main Street Program, owned/operated a licensed childcare facility for 100 children in the Lansing, KS community for 27 years, served as the Early Childhood Systems Coordinator with the Kansas Children's Cabinet and Trust Fund, and as Executive Director of a non-profit organization providing services to families of incarcerated individuals.
Debbie has been involved in many leadership and volunteer roles throughout her community, to include working with economic and community development, Chamber of Commerce, public/private education, non-profit organizations, under-served populations, and children/families. Debbie served as an elected official on the USD 469 Board of Education from 2011-2020 and in the Kansas House of Representatives from 2017-2019.
She earned a bachelor’s degree from Friends University in Organizational Management and Leadership. Debbie lives in Leavenworth with her husband, Kyle. They have three grown children and five grandchildren. She enjoys traveling, cooking, athletic events, spending time with family, friends, and their Yorkie, Gus!