Winter 2025 Meeting

Mayors play a crucial role in shaping the character of their cities. As the faces of local government, they have the unique ability to foster a welcoming environment for all residents – and to defend those conditions – regardless of background, economic status, primary language, or neighborhood. Inclusive cities can meet their highest civic and economic potential by unleashing the power of their biggest asset – its people. This panel will highlight mayors leveraging their positions to create inclusive communities to counter the growing tide of divisiveness and create formal pathways for all residents to inform local policy.

Mayors across the country are working to reshape local economies to ensure wealth and assets are broadly held, locally rooted, and recirculated within the community. This panel will highlight city-led efforts to champion policies and programs that uplift underrepresented groups and foster inclusive growth to create resilient, sustainable economies where prosperity is shared broadly, and where long-term stability benefits the entire community.

Many areas of the country are still reeling from the effects of the 2024 hurricane season, and the new administration is expected to cut federal funding for disaster recovery, making resilience ever more critical for US cities. This panel will explore data, leadership, and financing tools to ensure communities are prepared to withstand and recover quickly from floods.

Effective leadership hinges on strong and collaborative relationships between mayors, city councilmembers, and city staff. Respectful and productive relationships promote civil discourse, support recruitment and retention of quality staff and elected officials, and allow mayors to accomplish more for their communities. This workshop, led by former mayors, is designed to equip mayors leading under both strong mayor and council-manager forms of government with skills and strategies needed to build and maintain productive partnerships.