Marianne Meed Ward is currently serving her second term as Mayor of Burlington. She is the longest-serving female mayor of the city. A passionate advocate for smart, balanced development, Mayor Meed Ward is focused on ensuring Burlington remains a great place to live, work, and play while maintaining its natural beauty. Her leadership is marked by a dedication to listening to residents, fostering collaboration, and prioritizing transparency in municipal decision-making. Mayor Meed Ward is the Chair of the Ontario Big City Mayors Caucus. Mayor Meed Ward also launched the Elect Respect pledge, a nation-wide campaign to foster respect, inclusivity, and safety in public life. Prior to being Mayor, she served as a Burlington City Councillor from 2010 to 2018. Mayor Meed Ward has a degree in Journalism from Carleton University and worked for more than twenty years in journalism as a writer, editor, and broadcaster.