Networking is one of the most effective strategies to help local government professionals accelerate and advance their careers. 

"Building those meaningful connections and knowing how to nurture them can truly shape not just our careers, but the communities that we serve," said Kimberly Funderburk, president of government, education, and health systems at Cigna Healthcare (an ICMA strategic partner). She recently led an ICMA SheLeadsGov webinar interview designed to equip public-sector professionals with concrete tools and practical strategies. 

Conversation panelists agreed. Chelsea Jackson, deputy city manager of Douglasville, Georgia, and Leslie Beauregard, ICMA-CM, city manager of Staunton, Virginia, emphasized that networking has broadened their perspectives and created opportunities for their careers in local government leadership. 

Professional connections are particularly impactful for women in local government management, where only three in 10 city managers are women, according to research by Zippia. 

Why It Matters: Professional Networking for Women in City Management 

Women have been historically underrepresented in local government leadership positions. However, Jackson and Beauregard say women play a significant role in supporting one another through networking.  

Jackson credits much of her career development to other women in the profession who advocated on her behalf and helped create opportunities for advancement. Her career was accelerated nearly 15 years ago when, as an ICMA Local Government Management Fellow for the city of Smyrna, Georgia, she attended a state association conference through the Georgia City-County Management Association and met the current city manager of Douglasville. In this breakthrough moment, a connection was born that would impact her future trajectory.  

Beauregard is the first female city manager of Staunton. She says networking was pivotal in entering the profession after graduate school. At the time, she boldly traveled across localities in Virginia, using the technique of cold calling to inquire about available job opportunities. She landed a role with the city of Pocosin and fostered valuable professional relationships, subsequently contributing to her advancement through future career opportunities.   

Beauregard and Jackson echo similar sentiments: the value of finding female mentorship and, equally important, passing along that guidance to rising leaders.  

Beauregard reflects on the limited representation of women in local government and the importance she places on uplifting qualified and deserving women around her as a seasoned professional. "I've promoted more women to my leadership team. I've done my best to uplift the women who are working here and to hire more women," Beauregard said. 

"[Opportunities are] very important, especially in our field, because we feel like we took so much to get here," Jackson said. "So I need to keep going. I need to do everything and be in every room."  

Jackson added, "One of the things I always like to talk about is having a 'girl gang' for the emotional support and that sense of community." She says a "girl gang" is a group of professional women who support, look out for, and help one another achieve professional success. It just so happens that a "girl gang" colleague and longtime friend of Jackson's is also a mentee of Beauregard's. This shows how networking can connect professionals through meaningful relationships that transcend state lines.  

Strategies for Building and Maintaining Meaningful, Professional Connections  

With almost 30 years of experience in local government, Beauregard points out that networking strategies have changed over time. She highlights the opportunity to leverage social media for connection while emphasizing the value of in-person relationship building. 

Beauregard also suggests building relationships with colleagues in professions outside of local government as an important step to grow your network. She mentions that networking in casual, welcoming environments enables women to connect and share experiences. Joining professional groups such as ICMA and state associations is an effective way to find these types of networking opportunities. 

"You need to get out there and show your face, get on your feet, pick up the phone, and just make those connections," Beauregard said. "I think the best tool is you." She also advises others to network and reach out with a clear intention. "If you have a goal, then write it down ... be specific about what it is that you're asking for from somebody and then have a deep conversation about it." 

Networking requires taking actionable steps to create moments of connection, such as attending conferences and seeking opportunities to make your presence known to those who could impact your future.  

Building strong professional connections requires both forming new relationships and maintaining them over time. Jackson recommends pouring energy into existing relationships while seeking new ones. She mentions how these connections cross paths over time: she has even interviewed former supervisors for current job positions.    

Women can face challenges when trying to grow their network. Both Jackson and Beauregard speak to impostor syndrome as a common experience in networking. They encourage other women to mitigate self-doubt by focusing on personal achievements and confident self-promotion. 

Oftentimes, it can be difficult for women to navigate gender-exclusive networking environments. However, Jackson reminds us that knowledge is power, and actively seeking opportunities to cultivate supportive relationships with colleagues across all genders can assist in propelling the way forward.   

Quick Networking Wins for Women in Local Government Careers 

• To help you move laterally across an organization, Jackson suggests focusing on exceptional job performance in your current role while building connections for a transition.
• For leaders creating a culture conducive to networking, Beauregard recommends integrating funds for professional development training as a priority in the city budget process.
• When growing your overall network, Jackson encourages professionals to attend free social events organized by the city that are designed to build connections.
• Networking is a marathon, not a sprint. Both Beauregard and Jackson point to healthy work-life boundaries. While workplace and personal life demands can put extra pressure on women, exercising boundaries can lead to a balanced, successful, and fulfilling lifestyle.   

Accelerate Your Career and Grow Your Network at the ICMA Annual Conference  

The upcoming ICMA Annual Conference is perfect for refining your networking skills, creating connections, and developing professional relationships.  

Beauregard credits the ICMA conference for helping define her path forward at the start of her local government career. Jackson recommends events such as the ICMA opening reception and the first-time attendee lounge, designed to introduce conference newcomers.  

Additionally, SheLeadsGov hosts a conference luncheon for women in local government to connect and recognize each other's professional achievements.  

With countless educational sessions and meetings to join, Jackson suggests viewing the conference schedule ahead of time and planning accordingly. 

Registration for ICMA's 2025 Annual Conference in Tampa, Florida, is open, with significant cost savings for ICMA members.