A peer learning network for mayors and city leaders.
Posted on July 31, 2026 By Leslie Vasquez, Mayors Innovation Project Recently, federal leaders have repeatedly questioned the integrity of U.S. elections while pursuing a more aggressive role in election administration through efforts such as compiling a national voter eligibility database, seeking state voter rolls through lawsuits, and tightening restrictions on mail-in ballots. Legal experts …
Posted on August 18, 2026 By Mary Carr Lee, Mayors Innovation Project Between the demands of daily life and the friction of navigating bureaucracy, engaging with local government can feel less like empowerment and more like a burden. This friction fuels a cycle of burnout, civic withdrawal, and growing distrust. True civic health—where community members …
Posted on August 18, 2026 By Quincy Midthun, Mayors Innovation Project In 2024, nearly 40,000 people died on US roadways, including more than 7,000 people simply walking —a stark reminder that how a city’s streets are designed have life-or-death consequences. At the Mayors Innovation Project’s Summer 2026 Meeting in Madison Wisconsin, mayors and national policy …
By: Mary Carr Lee, Mayors Innovation Project When Jake Wilson became mayor of Somerville, Massachusetts, he stepped into office at a moment when many mid-sized American cities were confronting the same pressures: rising housing costs, rapid development, and growing expectations for local government. For Wilson, the challenge is not simply managing growth—it is ensuring that …
By: Mary Carr Lee, Mayors Innovation Project Connie Boesen’s election as the first woman to lead Iowa’s Capitol city is both a historic milestone and a call to action. She views her role not just as a personal achievement, but as an opportunity to inspire future leaders and strengthen every corner of the city. “Neighborhood …
By: Mary Carr Lee, Mayors Innovation Project Blacksburg, Virginia, sits at a unique crossroads where a historic Appalachian town meets the fast growing influence of Virginia Tech. Guiding the community through this moment of change is Michel Sutphin, the town’s newly elected mayor. Mayor Sutphin’s connection to Blacksburg is deep-seated. He served as a student …
By Quincy Midthun, Mayors Innovation Project April marks Fair Housing Month, a time to celebrate the landmark passing of the Fair Housing Act which aimed to eliminate discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing. Today, this month serves as a critical call to action to ensure that everyone has access to safe, affordable …
By Chasity Wells-Armstrong Chasity Wells-Armstrong is the Founder of Catalyst Coaching & Transformation and Creator of the SCALE™ Framework for Public Sector Leadership, which she uses to support mayors and municipal teams with strategies and resources. Wells-Armstrong is the former Mayor of Kankakee, IL and has served on the Mayors Innovation Project Steering Committee since …
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 …
