The SheLeadsGov (SLG) Committee was established in 2023. It fulfills a recommendation of the 2013 Task Force on Women in the Profession and the 2014 Task Force on Strengthening Inclusiveness in the Profession. The committee advises 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 government. The committee works to mitigate the effects of gender bias in the profession and ensure that ICMA membership is inclusive and mirrors the diversity of the communities served.

Scope

The SheLeadsGov Committee has the following purpose and goals:

• Provide mentorship and networking opportunities for women in local government.
• Attract women to local government leadership and support women in leadership roles.
• Provide leadership opportunities for women that will help create a pipeline to ICMA leadership roles.
• Support ICMA members in identifying and addressing gender disparities in local government.
• Guide best-in-class gender-balance initiatives that produce information, resources, and programs to support women in the profession.

The committee is led by two chairs and two vice chairs and is comprised of about 25 members. Click here to view the current list of committee members. 

Committee Member Requirements

ICMA's SheLeadsGov Committee appointees should have expertise in current content areas and in helping women succeed in their career transitions to professional local government management. Additionally, ICMA seeks representation among the membership from different regions, local government type and size, career positions or job functions, and diversity of gender, race, age, and intersectionalities. Identifying as a woman is not required for service on the committee, but ICMA seeks to have women occupy half or more of the roster.