A peer learning network for mayors and city leaders.
By Mary Carr Lee, Mayors Innovation Project During her two terms in office, Mayor Katjana Ballantyne helped steer Somerville through rapid change while keeping equity and inclusion at the center of city decision making. Drawing on her immigrant background and city council experience, she focused on ensuring Sommerville’s growth benefits long-time residents, low-income families, and …
By Mary Carr Lee, Mayors Innovation Project As Leslie Hager-Smith’s tenure as Mayor of Blacksburg winds down, she leaves behind a town that feels both fundamentally transformed and fiercely protected. After eight years of public service, Hager-Smith is preparing to step down on December 31st, marking the end of an era defined by a delicate …
By Mary Carr Lee, Mayors Innovation Project The tenure of Mayor Victoria Woodards in Tacoma, Washington, will stand out less for conventional projects and more for the philosophy of service she brought to the office. Her leadership, a clear departure from traditional politics, is rooted deeply in empathy, equity, and a profound commitment to listening …
By: Mary Carr Lee, Mayors Innovation Project When Brian Kulpa leaves office at the end of this year, he’ll be remembered as a pragmatic leader who steered the Town of Amherst through a period of progressive urban development while managing fiscal responsibility with innovative cost management. Recently he sat down with the Mayors Innovation Project …
By: Mary Carr Lee, Mayors Innovation Project As Mayor Danene Sorace gets ready to step down at the end of the year, she’s reflecting on her time leading Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Sorace has been focused on some big things: connecting with neighbors, tackling the housing crisis, and making the city more sustainable. Right from the start …
By Mary Carr Lee, Mayors Innovation Project This year’s Juneteenth celebration in Woodmere, Ohio, will be special for several reasons. The event is expanding to four days, beginning on Thursday, June 19, and will include an art exhibit by Black artists at Woodmere’s upscale Eaton Mall. The celebration also marks a significant moment for Mayor …
