Erica has been a resident of Mission Woods since October 2021, where she lives with her husband, Paul, and their two children. Prior to moving to Mission Woods, their family lived in the neighboring city of Westwood, but feel they've found the perfect place to raise their family within this wonderful community. Mission Woods offers a unique, small-town feel right on the edge of Kansas City.
In April 2025, Erica founded her real estate development firm, Defy Development. After nearly three years working as a Development Manager, she determined the timing was right to pursue a vision of building attainably-priced homes in thoughtfully-designed neighborhoods. Earlier in her career, Erica spent five years as the operations manager of her family-owned franchise and seven years in education, primarily as a high school history and broadcast journalism teacher in North Kansas City.
Erica holds a BA in Communication from the University of Missouri–Columbia and an MA in Education from the University of Missouri–Kansas City. She has served in a variety of leadership and service roles, including as a steering committee member for both the Reimagine Rainbow initiative and the Westwood Park Planning Committee. Erica has also served on the Mission Woods City Council since April 2023 and was appointed Council President in June 2023. Following the mayor’s resignation in April 2025, she assumed the role and completed the remainder of the term. In November 2025, she was elected to her first full term as mayor.
Mayor Hartley is honored to serve and support the community’s shared future.
Erica has been a resident of Mission Woods since October 2021, where she lives with her husband, Paul, and their two children. Prior to moving to Mission Woods, their family lived in the neighboring city of Westwood, but feel they've found the perfect place to raise their family within this wonderful community. Mission Woods offers a unique, small-town feel right on the edge of Kansas City.
In April 2025, Erica founded her real estate development firm, Defy Development. After nearly three years working as a Development Manager, she determined the timing was right to pursue a vision of building attainably-priced homes in thoughtfully-designed neighborhoods. Earlier in her career, Erica spent five years as the operations manager of her family-owned franchise and seven years in education, primarily as a high school history and broadcast journalism teacher in North Kansas City.
Erica holds a BA in Communication from the University of Missouri–Columbia and an MA in Education from the University of Missouri–Kansas City. She has served in a variety of leadership and service roles, including as a steering committee member for both the Reimagine Rainbow initiative and the Westwood Park Planning Committee. Erica has also served on the Mission Woods City Council since April 2023 and was appointed Council President in June 2023. Following the mayor’s resignation in April 2025, she assumed the role and completed the remainder of the term. In November 2025, she was elected to her first full term as mayor.
Mayor Hartley is honored to serve and support the community’s shared future.
Current Term: January 2026 - December 2027