Lori Bush didn’t exactly plan on a life in public service—unless you count that stint at Girls State in high school where she caught the civic engagement bug. Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, she’s made her way through Lexington, KY, Endicott, NY, and Raleigh before landing in Cary in 1994. And like most things in her life, when Lori got here, she didn’t waste time, jumping straight into volunteering as a HOA member, building their website in her neighborhood, to running Hackathons. Whether it was at work leading tech projects or civic engagement, it was a full-contact sport. Until recently retiring, Lori was a Technical Lead at Cisco Systems, helping build tech tools for learning, education, and school safety (and yes, she still knows how to code). Now, she’s gone back to school to get her Master’s, life-long learning is one of her passions. She’s a champion for greenways, good governance, STEM education, and finding ways that Technology can improve public services, and all while helping Cary stay both charming and forward-thinking. Lori Bush has served on the Cary Town Council since 2011 and is currently in her fourth term. Over the years, she has focused on a wide range of issues, including affordable housing, environmental sustainability, transportation, and responsible growth. Her work has included service on regional boards and committees related to planning, infrastructure, and resource management. She is known for her thoughtful approach, commitment to public engagement, and dedication to data-informed decision-making. Outside of Council Chambers, she’s served on non-profit boards including the NC Museum of Natural Sciences, Multiple Sclerosis Society, East Coast Greenway Alliance, and National Institute of Urban Search and Rescue (she once won an actual eagle statue for education leadership, and no, she’s not giving it back). Lori’s also a certified drone pilot, a CBS “Remarkable Woman” finalist, and a regular on a bike or greenway somewhere in Cary. She's a proud graduate of the Missouri University of Science & Technology, a Leadership NC alum, a Friday Fellow, and a graduate of the Harvard Senior Executive Program for State and Local Government Leaders. These days, she lives in Downtown Cary with her husband Greg and their very good Irish Doodle, Luna. Her grown kids are off starting their own adventures, but Lori’s still all-in on making Cary the best place it can be, one thoughtful, tech-savvy, slightly nerdy policy decision at a time.
Lori Bush didn’t exactly plan on a life in public service—unless you count that stint at Girls State in high school where she caught the civic engagement bug. Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, she’s made her way through Lexington, KY, Endicott, NY, and Raleigh before landing in Cary in 1994. And like most things in her life, when Lori got here, she didn’t waste time, jumping straight into volunteering as a HOA member, building their website in her neighborhood, to running Hackathons. Whether it was at work leading tech projects or civic engagement, it was a full-contact sport. Until recently retiring, Lori was a Technical Lead at Cisco Systems, helping build tech tools for learning, education, and school safety (and yes, she still knows how to code). Now, she’s gone back to school to get her Master’s, life-long learning is one of her passions. She’s a champion for greenways, good governance, STEM education, and finding ways that Technology can improve public services, and all while helping Cary stay both charming and forward-thinking. Lori Bush has served on the Cary Town Council since 2011 and is currently in her fourth term. Over the years, she has focused on a wide range of issues, including affordable housing, environmental sustainability, transportation, and responsible growth. Her work has included service on regional boards and committees related to planning, infrastructure, and resource management. She is known for her thoughtful approach, commitment to public engagement, and dedication to data-informed decision-making. Outside of Council Chambers, she’s served on non-profit boards including the NC Museum of Natural Sciences, Multiple Sclerosis Society, East Coast Greenway Alliance, and National Institute of Urban Search and Rescue (she once won an actual eagle statue for education leadership, and no, she’s not giving it back). Lori’s also a certified drone pilot, a CBS “Remarkable Woman” finalist, and a regular on a bike or greenway somewhere in Cary. She's a proud graduate of the Missouri University of Science & Technology, a Leadership NC alum, a Friday Fellow, and a graduate of the Harvard Senior Executive Program for State and Local Government Leaders. These days, she lives in Downtown Cary with her husband Greg and their very good Irish Doodle, Luna. Her grown kids are off starting their own adventures, but Lori’s still all-in on making Cary the best place it can be, one thoughtful, tech-savvy, slightly nerdy policy decision at a time.
