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 …
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The Balancing Act: Mayor Michael Sutphin’s Vision for a Changing Blacksburg
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 …
Member City Spotlight: Sterling, IL
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 …
Beyond Recognition: Celebrating Women’s History Month with Action
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 …
A Legacy of Inclusion: Mayor Katjana Ballantyne Prepares to Leave Somerville
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 …
A Legacy of Place-Making: Outgoing Blacksburg Mayor Reflects on Growth, Sustainability, and Quality of Life
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 …
Mayor Victoria Woodards: A Legacy of Listening and Service in Tacoma
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. …
The Architectural Legacy of Transformation: Brian Kulpa’s Impact on Amherst, NY
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 …
Outgoing Mayor Danene Sorace reflects on City’s successes
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 …
The Shift: Mayors and Experts Say Ending Homelessness Requires Data, Collaboration, and Political Will
By Mary Carr Lee, Mayors Innovation Project At the Mayors Innovation Project summer meeting, mayors and experts from cities across the country dug into the issue of homelessness, highlighting the urgent need for a shift …