About SheLeadsGov
SheLeadsGov promotes gender equality in local government management by connecting women in the profession and providing unique and invaluable resources to ICMA members. SheLeadsGov presents opportunities for connection and engagement through its virtual forums, in-person conference sessions and events, written articles, and more. The SheLeadsGov Committee was established by the ICMA Executive Board in 2023 to advise ICMA on how to best promote programs that support, encourage and prepare future and current women leaders of all backgrounds for professional positions in local governments. Find out more about the current SheLeadsGov Committee and learn more about the work of the Committee here. Questions about SheLeadsGov may be directed to Jeanette Gass, senior program manager, ICMA.
Local Resources
Across the United States, many State City/County Management Associations, Municipal Leagues, or other organizations support women-focused initiatives on a local level. ICMA aims to collaborate with these organizations as it meets the goals and objectives of the SheLeadsGov initiative. Some resources are linked below. If there is an additional initiative or organization you would like featured in this section, please contact Jeanette Gass, senior program manager at jgass@icma.org with a brief description.
Driving Gender Balance
A day of connection, empowerment, and inspiration while highlighting experiences of women...
The SheLeadsGov initiative continues to advance the importance of representation.
The SheLeadsGov Virtual Forum provided attendees the permission to ‘ditch the doubt’,...
Four ways to incorporate intersectionality and positively impact women in local government
THE LATEST FROM PM MAGAZINE
VOICES IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT PODCAST
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ICMA's new CEO and executive director, Julia D. Novak, ICMA-CM, joins the show to discuss bold change management strategies for local government leaders.
How local governments can create jobs that benefit residents, public works projects, and the local economy.
How Bucksport, Maine, engaged all of their citizens to identify what they love most about their community, the future they want for it, and how to achieve it.
SheLeadsGov Spotlights
Blog Posts
Leave it better than you found it, on your own terms, and with your integrity intact.
ICMA releases two new case studies on impactful solar developments for local governments.
If your organization is facing a political threat, you do not fight it with silence—you fight it with strategy.
The effects are real and they’re dangerous—to employee well-being, to public trust, and to the long-term health of our communities.
Hear from Gettysburg Leadership Institute alumni and sign up for the September 2025 cohort!
The comprehensive second edition resource with brand new local government case studies for effective governance.
News
To accelerate your career development and advancement, you need a coach. But are you coachable?
Congratulations to local government professionals who are newly joined, transfers in status (membership upgrades), and reinstatements as full ICMA members.
Congratulations to these recently retired ICMA members who have been granted Life membership.
What can the chief executive do to bring the outlier into the fold and help the governing body function well?
When technology touches nearly every aspect of your city or county, careful policy considerations are in order.
The ground may shift, but we stay focused.
