Roby Little - Community Director

Roby Little began her career as a middle school teacher at Pleasant Lea Junior High in 1974, the same year she graduated from Kansas State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Speech Education. In 1978 she received an MA in Theatre from Central Missouri State University. While at Pleasant Lea Junior High, she taught communication skills, speech, drama, debate, video production and English. She wrote outcome based curriculum, directed plays, assemblies, oration contests and produced news shows. Roby acquired excellent collaboration skills working with the entire staff in all school productions. She retired in 2001 and accepted the job with Lee’s Summit CARES. It seemed a natural fit. She is a life-long resident of Lee’s Summit, a community she has always called home. 

During Roby’s tenure as Director she has been able to increase Lee’s Summit CARES membership, funding, programs, staffing and community recognition. She is fortunate to work with many gifted and caring people. It is her passion to promote the positive image of Lee’s Summit while identifying areas of improvement that fall under the mission of Lee’s Summit CARES. She believes in keeping Lee’s Summit a safe, inclusive and caring community. 

In 2002, Roby attended the CADCA Convention in Seattle, Washington, and acquired excellent ideas to bring before the organization. In 2002 she received the COMBAT Community Partnership Award, in 2003 she was selected to attend the Ewing Kaufman Entrepreneurial Leadership Conference and in 2005 she was awarded Citizen of the Year by the Lee’s Summit Elks.

She is especially proud of her work with the Lee’s Summit Community of Character. Good character is the nucleus for a healthy, safe and respectful community. This year Lee’s Summit celebrated its 6^th Mayor’s Character Breakfast produced by the Lee’s Summit CARES Character Council. 

Roby has suffered from rheumatoid arthritis since 1986. In 2006 she received a service dog from KSDS located in Washington, Kansas. BC (Black Cat) is a beautiful black lab who assists her daily. 

Roby is active in her church, a major shopper in downtown Lee’s Summit and a collector of antiques. Roby and her husband Dan have two grown sons and a beautiful granddaughter, Scarlett.