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After years living in & around Aurora my family and I found our forever home here 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, and serving on non-profit boards and Town committees. My passions are education, equity work, and community volunteering.


A community thrives when every community member thrives. The Aurora community is woven together by citizens with a diversity of abilities, cultural backgrounds, languages, and lived experiences. I believe the fabric of our community is strongest when everyone has access and is both included and informed, so I prioritize communication and collaboration. I will bring my passions for leadership, engagement, and advocacy to Town Council. 


My top priority as your Ward 5 councillor: to meet YOUR priorities through accountability, communication, and inclusion.

Goals & Priorities

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; combat rising misinformation
  • 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 weekly office hours, monthly community chats about Aurora/Ward 5 issues
  • Goal: increased youth engagement and involvement
  • Action: collaborate with schools to provide opportunities for students to learn about & participate in municipal governance

Advocacy:
Equity & Inclusion

  • Goal: access 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 

About Jessie

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, cheering on the Blue Jays, and enjoying Town events.

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 professor of educational leadership at several Ontario universities. This academic and leadership experience and passion for teaching & learning and equity & inclusion make me an ideal candidate for Council.

Community Engagement

My dedication to this community has been proven through decades of volunteering; I spent 15 years volunteering at a local elementary school, 10 years for the local soccer club, and am currently serving my 2nd term on the Town Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee. Outside Aurora I have volunteered for programs supporting at-risk youth in sport for over 20 years. A community thrives when every community member thrives; that is my goal for our community.