Shaker Heights City Council has appointed Tenille N. Kaus to fill the vacancy created when Councilmember Tres Roeder resigned to move out of state. Roeder’s final Council meeting was May 13; Kaus will be sworn in on May 28, 2024 at 6p in Council Chambers at Shaker Heights City Hall, 3400 Lee Rd.
“City Council members were impressed with Ms. Kaus’ enthusiasm for and commitment to serving the residents of Shaker Heights,” said Councilmember Carmella Williams in a statement released by Council. “With her professional background in law, labor relations, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), and her strong connections to the City, she is poised to succeed. We look forward to her perspectives and contributions.”
An attorney specializing in employment law and labor relations, Kaus is currently director of diversity, equity, inclusion, and advancement at the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, where she leads implementation of Legal Aid’s DEI plan. Prior to that, she served as director of labor relations for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. She served in similar roles for Summit County and the Summa Health System.
Kaus was a trustee of the Shaker Heights Public Library but resigned from that position to focus on City Council.
In her application, Kaus noted her interests include economic development; continuing to provide quality services and facilities while balancing City revenue and expenses; and maintaining Shaker’s diversity.
She graduated summa cum laude from University of Pittsburgh and received her JD cum laude from University of Akron School of Law. She grew up on the East Side of Cleveland and now lives in the Lomond area with her husband and daughter.
Pursuant to city ordinance, the remaining members of the Council appointed Roeder’s successor to fill out his current term, which expires on December 31, 2025. As vice mayor, Williams led the process to fill the vacancy. Fourteen residents applied for the vacancy but two candidates withdrew from consideration before Kaus was chosen.
Shaker’s seven council members are elected on a non-partisan, at-large basis.
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