IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Run Where You Are Launches to Inspire Women and Gender-Diverse Leaders to Step Into Politics
Run Where You Are is a virtual event helping future leaders take their first step into municipal politics
(Sudbury, ON) - As communities across Ontario prepare for the 2026 municipal elections, Run Where You Are – Say Yes is calling on women and gender-diverse people to take the next step toward public leadership. The free, non-partisan virtual event will take place on Tuesday, February 24, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. EST, and is open to participants across the province.
Building on the momentum of the Run Where You Are initiative, Say Yes is designed for those who are curious about running for office, actively considering a campaign, or seeking clarity on what leadership could look like in their own community. The event focuses on breaking down barriers, addressing self-doubt, and offering practical insight from those who have already said “yes” to leadership.
“So many women are already leaders. They just haven’t called it that yet,” says Amanda Kingsley Malo, Founder of PoliticsNOW. “This event is about naming what’s already there, and showing women that they do not have to leap alone. There is a whole ecosystem ready to support them.”
The virtual panel will feature municipal leaders from across Ontario who will share candid reflections on their paths to public office, including lessons learned, challenges faced, and what they wish they had known before entering public office.
Confirmed panellists include:
Michelle Boileau, mayor of Timmins
Marilyn Crawford, councillor, Town of Ajax
Tammy Hwang, councillor, City of Hamilton
Joan John, councillor, Township of Southgate
Melanie Pilon, mayor of Wawa
“If you have ever thought ‘maybe me,’ that is not random,” continues Kingsley Malo. “That thought is information. Say Yes exists to help people take that whisper seriously and connect them with the training and support that makes it real.”
Despite progress in recent years, women and gender-diverse individuals continue to be underrepresented in municipal leadership across Ontario. Run Where You Are – Say YES aims to help close that gap by offering accessible, community-driven entry points into politics.
Run Where You Are is open to women and gender-diverse people across Ontario, whether they are simply curious about public leadership, preparing to launch a campaign, or looking to support others in politics. Please find the event details below,
Event Details
Date: February 24, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM EST
Location: Online via Zoom
Cost: Free (donations welcome — proceeds shared among host organizations to support women in politics)
Registration: https://run-where-you-are-say-yes.eventbrite.ca
To learn more about the coalition of women-in-politics organizations involved, please see below.
ABOUT RUN WHERE YOU ARE:
Run Where You Are is a non-partisan, virtual campaign school designed to inspire and support women and gender-diverse people across Ontario who are considering municipal office or school board positions. By providing practical guidance, mentorship, and access to regional networks, the program helps participants navigate the process of running for office with confidence. Co-hosted by a collective of organizations dedicated to advancing inclusive leadership, electHER Now, Leadership Féminin Prescott-Russell, Municipal Campaign School, PoliticsNOW, The Jean Collective, and Waterloo Region Women’s Municipal Campaign School, Run Where You Are empowers the next generation of local leaders and strengthens Ontario’s democracy.
ABOUT POLITICSNOW:
PoliticsNOW is a grassroots catalyst group dedicated to electing women and advancing inclusive leadership in politics, with a special focus on Northern Ontario. Since their founding in 2017, PoliticsNOW has supported more than 80 campaigns across Ontario and helped elect over 60 women to public office. Through campaign training, governance workshops, and advocacy initiatives, the organization equips women and gender-diverse leaders with the tools, networks, and confidence they need to succeed in politics.
