From lifeguard chair to deputy city manager – meet Kira Peters

For Kira Peters, leadership began in a lifeguard chair.

Long before she became Scottsdale's Deputy City Manager, Peters was a teenage lifeguard at Chaparral Aquatic Center, where she discovered a passion for public service that would shape the next three decades of her career.

Today, she helps lead one of Arizona's premier cities, drawing on the same commitment to service that first inspired her as a young city employee.

"I absolutely loved it," Peters recalls of her first city job. "I was getting paid to work at a pool. I could see the influence of my work happening with the kids in my swimming lessons, the people in my water exercise classes and the overall positive impact our programs had on the community."

One evening during an aquatic staff meeting at Cactus Pool, Peters experienced a moment that would define her career.

As she watched supervisors train young employees and emphasize professionalism, safety, integrity and public service, she realized leadership wasn't simply about overseeing a team. It was about developing people while making a meaningful difference in the community.

"At that moment, I wanted to be a leader, and I wanted to be a leader in the city of Scottsdale," she said.

More than 30 years later, that aspiration has come full circle.

In December 2025, Peters was appointed deputy city manager. For someone who has spent her entire professional career serving the city, the promotion represents both a milestone and an opportunity.

"Having the opportunity to serve in the role of deputy city manager is exhilarating," Peters said. "There is amazing work happening in the city with a strong focus on effective service delivery."

City Manager Greg Caton said Peters' career reflects the very best of Scottsdale's culture.

"Kira's journey from lifeguard to deputy city manager is a remarkable example of what's possible through dedication, continuous growth and commitment to public service," Caton said. "She combines deep institutional knowledge with a collaborative leadership style and an unwavering focus on serving our community. Scottsdale is stronger because of leaders like Kira."

Peters describes her leadership style as purpose-driven and people-focused.

That philosophy has served Scottsdale well during a period of significant organizational evolution. Peters believes one of the city's greatest strengths is the combination of experienced employees who bring decades of institutional knowledge working alongside newer team members who contribute fresh perspectives and ideas.

For Peters, the work is deeply personal because Scottsdale isn't simply where she works. It's where her family's story has unfolded.

She met her husband and sister-in-law while they were lifeguards for the city. All three of her children attended Scottsdale Unified School District schools. Her husband and teenage son work out at the city’s Club SAR Fitness Center. Her father-in-law volunteers at the Little Red Schoolhouse. Her sister works for HonorHealth, and her brother owns two restaurants in Old Town Scottsdale.

"Scottsdale is my community," Peters said. "That personal connection has driven me to work hard to ensure that this city continues to thrive for generations to come."

Peters is also passionate about encouraging the next generation of public servants, particularly young women considering careers in local government.

Her advice is simple:

"Be brave. Don't be afraid to feel uncomfortable. Get into a field of service that is important to you and enjoy the adventure."

It's advice she has clearly lived throughout her own career.

From a lifeguard chair at Chaparral Aquatic Center to deputy city manager, Peters has embraced every opportunity to learn, grow and serve.

After more than three decades with the city, she continues to lead with the same sense of purpose that first inspired her as a teenager: helping people, strengthening community and ensuring Scottsdale remains a place where future generations can thrive.

And if there's one lesson she hopes others will carry with them, it's the same one that has guided her own journey:

Learn to be comfortable being uncomfortable.