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Press Release: Announcing “Your City, Your Voice!"
Curious about running for City Council or learning more about municipal politics? Your City, Your Voice is a free community workshop bringing together local organizations to help residents better understand the role of local government, the municipal election process, and what it takes to run for office in Greater Sudbury’s 2026 municipal election.
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Your City, Your Voice Launches to Support Future Municipal Election Candidates in Greater Sudbury
Free community initiative aims to make local politics more accessible, approachable, and representative ahead of the 2026 municipal election
(Sudbury, ON) - As Greater Sudbury prepares for the 2026 municipal election, several local organizations are coming together to host a free workshop designed to help residents learn more about municipal politics and what it takes to run for City Council.
Your City Your Voice will take place on Thursday, June 4 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Downtown Library in Greater Sudbury. The workshop is open to anyone interested in learning more about becoming a candidate for councillor or mayor, exploring public leadership, or better understanding how municipal government works.
Participants will learn about the role of municipal council, the election process, what prospective candidates need to know before running, and how to take the first steps toward a campaign.
The workshop is open to everyone, with organizers particularly encouraging Black, Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQ+, women, gender-diverse, and young community members to attend.
“Municipal government is the level of government that most directly shapes our daily lives,” says Amanda Kingsley Malo, founder of PoliticsNOW. “From roads and housing to recreation, libraries, and community spaces, the decisions made at City Hall affect all of us. If we want those decisions to truly reflect our community, the people around the council table should reflect the people who live here.”
“This workshop is about helping people see themselves in local leadership and giving them the information and support to explore what’s possible,” continues Kingsley Malo.
Nominations for the October 2026 municipal election are now open and will remain open until August 21, 2026.
Your City Your Voice is being collaboratively organized by Black Lives Matter Sudbury, Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury, Myths and Mirrors Community Arts, Fierté Sudbury Pride, and PoliticsNOW.
Event Details
Date: Thursday, June 4, 2026
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: 74 Mackenzie Street, Greater Sudbury
Cost: Free
Registration: Registration Page
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.
Press Release: Announcing “Run Where You Are: Say Yes!"
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.
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.
Press Release: Announcing “Run Where You Are"
Run Where You Are is a free virtual event on September 23, 2025, designed to inspire and support women and gender-diverse leaders across Ontario to step into municipal politics. Featuring keynote Kathleen Wynne and a panel of local leaders, the event offers practical tools, real stories, and connections to help you prepare for the 2026 elections.
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) -A coalition of women-in-politics organizations from across Ontario is coming together to launch Run Where You Are, a free, non-partisan virtual event designed to inspire and support women and gender-diverse people who are considering a run for municipal office or school board trustee positions in the October 2026 elections.
The online event will take place on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at 7:00 PM EST and is open to participants across Ontario.
“Municipal politics is where change starts — in our neighbourhoods, our schools, and our councils,” says Amanda Kingsley Malo, Founder of PoliticsNOW. “We created Run Where You Are to show women and gender-diverse people that you don’t need to have all the answers to take your first step. You just need the right support and community behind you.”
Only 37 per cent of Ontario’s municipalities are led by women or gender-diverse individuals. Run Where You Are aims to change that by breaking down barriers, demystifying the process of running for office and connecting participants with the networks and tools they need to step into leadership.
“The strength of our democracy depends on who is at the table making decisions,” says Kathleen Wynne, Former Premier of Ontario. “We need more women and gender-diverse leaders to bring their perspectives, experiences, and voices into public life. Run Where You Are is an important step in making Ontario’s leadership reflect the people it serves.”
The one-hour virtual kick-off on September 23, 2025, at 7:00 PM EST will provide participants with a mix of practical guidance and actionable tools to explore municipal leadership. Participants will hear a keynote address by an inspiring leader who has successfully run for office and navigated the challenges of a political life. They will also gain insights from a real talk panel featuring three diverse voices in politics sharing their experiences and lessons learned. Followed by interactive breakout sessions tailored to their stage in the journey, including Curious About Running, Deciding to Run, Running Again, and Supporting a Campaign.
“Our roots are in Northern Ontario, but the need for women in leadership is everywhere,” continues Kingsley Malo. “Run Where You Are is about giving women the tools, support, and community to step into politics with confidence — no matter where they live.”
Run Where You Are is co-hosted by a collective of regional organizations committed to advancing women and gender-diverse leadership in local government, including,
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: September 23, 2025
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://www.eventbrite.ca/e/run-where-you-are-tickets-1527433106539
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.
Press Release: Announcing “She’s On Board”
She’s On Board is a program to equip women to become more comfortable with governance and public policy, as well as connecting them to established boards in Greater Sudbury. This is a program done in collaboration with She&Her.
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
She&Her and PoliticsNOW team up to launch leadership program
(Sudbury, ON) - She&Her and PoliticsNOW are two of Sudbury’s most exciting, new and impactful organizations, and they are partnering together to help train the next generation of female leaders in our city and equip them with the tools that they need to be successful. Together they are excited to announce the launch of the She’s On Board Program.
She’s On Board is a program to equip women to become more comfortable with governance and public policy, as well as connecting them to established boards in Greater Sudbury. On November 16th, we will be offering a free, one-day workshop led by some of the city’s most experienced female leaders. This workshop will accommodate a small class of both new leaders and experienced leaders, and we will offer tangible, inclusive and hands-on training in an accessible manner. Upon completion of the training, the graduates would then have the opportunity to be matched with a local board to either join as a director or receive mentorship from a current board member, should no positions be open for fulfillment.
“According to a 2017 survey done by Deloitte Global Center for Corporate Governance, only 20.5% of board seats in Canada are held by women. While almost half of the directors surveyed stated that their board had a target for increasing the representation of women on their board, only 57% of boards in the country have three or more female directors, which is the minimum needed for boards to reap the rewards of having more diversity in the decision making process,” states Amanda Kingsley Malo, PoliticsNOW founder. “We recognize that it is not always easy for boards to be connected with women leaders that would be a good fit with the established community of the board, though. That’s where we come in.”
“We are incredibly excited about the She’s On Board program, and know that it will be a great opportunity to help connect women to roles that will help them develop their leadership skills and become established community leaders,” says Hailey Short, co-founder She&Her. “Both She&Her and PoliticsNOW have a mandate to increase the number of women in leadership roles, and we truly believe this is a step in the right direction.”
For those who are interested in participating in the program, we encourage you to complete a short application that can be found here. For Board of Directors who are interested in participating, please reach out to hello@sheandher.info. For more information regarding She’s On Board, please visit www.sheandher.info or www.polinow.org