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My family and I found our forever home in Aurora in 2011 and fell in love with this community. For over 15 years I've lived, learned, worked, and played in Aurora's Ward 5: raising a family, running a business, volunteering for local school and sports organizations, serving on non-profit boards and Town committees, and now as Ward 5 Councillor.


My passions are education, equity work, and community: a community thrives when every community member thrives. Aurora's community is woven together by citizens with a diversity of abilities, backgrounds, languages, and lived experiences. I believe the fabric of our community is strongest when everyone has access and is included & informed, so I prioritize communication and collaboration. My goal is to bring my passions & priorities to Town Council to meet YOUR priorities through accountable, transparent leadership, community engagement, and advocacy for equity & inclusion.

Leadership:
Accountability & Transparency

  • Goal: fiscal responsibility, balanced priorities
  • Action: balance long-term strategic plan with clear short-term strategies that reflect current economic trends
  • Goal: transparent communication
  • Action: thorough understanding & communication of issues: not just WHAT & WHEN but HOW & WHY
  • Action: community chats, infographics, YouTube presentations

Community
Engagement

  • Goal: two-way communication; reach outside feedback loop
  • Action: weekly social media posts, monthly e-newsletter, in-person & online office hours, monthly community chats
  • Goal: youth engagement & involvement
  • Action: collaborate with schools & community groups to provide opportunities for students to practice leadership skills & participate in municipal governance

Advocacy:
Equity & Inclusion

  • Goal: access & inclusion for all regardless of ability, age, cultural background, language, or socioeconomic status
  • Action: community surveys & communication with interest-holders to determine needs
  • Action: infrastructure and community partnerships to support
  • Action: ongoing collaboration & co-creation with interest holders; mutual teaching & learning 

Hey Neighbour!

I’m Jessie. I’ve lived, learned, worked, and played in Aurora since 2011 with my husband Jeff, our three sons, and our dog Hershey. We’re a sports family, so most of that time has been spent on the soccer pitch. Off the field, our family’s favourite ways to spend time together are backyard games in the summer, board games in the winter, and cheering on the Blue Jays,.

Education & Experience

I am a lifelong learner with Masters and Doctorate degrees in education and academic publications on critical perspectives, equity in education, and organizational change. I've worked in community education for over 20 years in contexts ranging from private recreation facilities to district school boards to municipal governments to provincial non-profits. 

Education & Experience

Currently, I am the director of a leadership training organization consulting on organizational learning and change and a professor of educational leadership at several Ontario universities. This combination of academic expertise, professional leadership, and passion for teaching makes me an ideal candidate for Council.

Community Engagement

My dedication to our community has been proven over decades of volunteering; 15 years for the local elementary school, 10 years for the local soccer club, two terms on the Town Parks & Rec Advisory Committee, and programs supporting at-risk youth for over 20 years. A community thrives when every community member thrives; that is my goal for our community.