Sara Kurovski strives to take a servant-leadership approach in her role as mayor of Pleasant Hill, a position to which she was elected in November 2013. 

There are often “growing pains” as the small suburb develops, Kurovski has found. 

“It’s exciting, but a little bit of a challenge,” she said. “I want the council and staff to be working together so we can move together in what is the most appropriate direction.”

Kurovski became involved on several city boards and commissions after she and her husband bought a house in Pleasant Hill more than seven years ago. With encouragement from then-Mayor Mike Richardson, Kurovski decided to run for mayor after having read Sheryl Sandberg’s book “Lean In,” and after being elected, she was featured in Sandberg’s sequel, “Lean In for Graduates.” 

Elected office is just one aspect of Kurovski’s professional life. In August 2014, she was hired by Kum & Go LC as manager of sustainability. She previously had worked for Metro Waste Authority and Keep Iowa Beautiful. 

Kurovski and her husband have two toddlers, ages 2 and 3, and many of their family activities revolve around the Blank Park Zoo and the Science Center of Iowa. 

She credits her husband as a key part of her success. 

“I firmly believe having your partner on your team 100 percent is so important,” she said. “Making those decisions together makes everything better.” 

Being a young leader, Kurovski said one of her most important lessons is to not to be afraid to admit when she doesn’t know something. 

“I’ve always lived by the mantra, ‘If you don’t know the answer, that’s fine,’ ” she said. “I know that being young and not having as many life experiences, it’s very important to get with the right people who have the answers.” 

Reasons she’s a forty:

• She has served on Pleasant Hill’s Planning and Zoning Board, Board of Adjustments and the City Facility Planning Committee. 
• As a member of the Polk County Conservation Board, Kurovski championed a referendum for land and water quality bonds that will pay for restoration efforts at Easter Lake Park. 
• She climbed the ranks of Metro Waste Authority to become operations program manager. 
• She has earned a master’s degree in public administration from Drake University.