Mayors Innovation Project
@mayorsinnovation.bsky.social
National peer-learning network for mayors & their trusted advisors. We help put cities on the high road of equity, sustainability & democracy. Based at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
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Winter 2026 Meeting: January 30-31, Washington, DC
Mayors Innovation Project Winter 2026 Meeting: January 30-31, Washington, DC
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📢US Mayors📢 you're invited to our Winter Meeting, taking place Jan. 30 - 31 2026 in DC!
Join us for two days of networking and policy sessions💡 designed to send you home with fresh ideas and new connections to support you and your city.
🔗Learn more: bit.ly/MIPW26
Join us for two days of networking and policy sessions💡 designed to send you home with fresh ideas and new connections to support you and your city.
🔗Learn more: bit.ly/MIPW26
Our report shows that women mayors, particularly women mayors of color, face more persistent and severe harassment than their male peers. This isn't just a problem for women, it's a problem for democracy.
How America's female mayors lead in face of adversity
Former Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges joined "The Final 5" to discuss a new study from the Women Mayors Network showing women mayors face substantially more harassment than their male counterparts. Fr...
www.fox5dc.com
November 11, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Our report shows that women mayors, particularly women mayors of color, face more persistent and severe harassment than their male peers. This isn't just a problem for women, it's a problem for democracy.
We're thrilled to announce that six US cities have been selected to join the Regulatory Justice Initiative! This new cohort aims to make it cheaper, faster, and simpler to start and grow a small business in cities across the country.
🔗Learn more: mayorsinnovation.org/our-work/reg...
🔗Learn more: mayorsinnovation.org/our-work/reg...
November 7, 2025 at 6:12 PM
We're thrilled to announce that six US cities have been selected to join the Regulatory Justice Initiative! This new cohort aims to make it cheaper, faster, and simpler to start and grow a small business in cities across the country.
🔗Learn more: mayorsinnovation.org/our-work/reg...
🔗Learn more: mayorsinnovation.org/our-work/reg...
Rampant harassment, threats to their family and property, criticism of their appearance, attempts to limit their formal authority—these are just a few of the individual and systemic barriers women mayors face.
Learn more in our new report🔗https://bit.ly/WMN-25
Learn more in our new report🔗https://bit.ly/WMN-25
For too many women mayors, challenges to their authority aren’t about performance—
they’re about power.
New Mayors Innovation Project research shows women mayors are more likely to have their authority questioned, limited, or attacked through lawsuits and procedural maneuvers.
they’re about power.
New Mayors Innovation Project research shows women mayors are more likely to have their authority questioned, limited, or attacked through lawsuits and procedural maneuvers.
November 3, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Rampant harassment, threats to their family and property, criticism of their appearance, attempts to limit their formal authority—these are just a few of the individual and systemic barriers women mayors face.
Learn more in our new report🔗https://bit.ly/WMN-25
Learn more in our new report🔗https://bit.ly/WMN-25
High-speed dependable internet🛜 is critical for resilient, connected, and inclusive communities. Hear from Superior, WI Mayor Jim Paine about how the City's new municipal broadband network delivers low-cost service for residents and revenue for the City ➡️ mayorsinnovation.org/2025/10/29/c...
City Spotlight: Superior, WI
High-speed dependable internet is not a convenience or a luxury, but a critical tool for resilient, connected, and inclusive communities. Broadband ensures that residents have access to education, hea...
mayorsinnovation.org
November 3, 2025 at 7:46 PM
High-speed dependable internet🛜 is critical for resilient, connected, and inclusive communities. Hear from Superior, WI Mayor Jim Paine about how the City's new municipal broadband network delivers low-cost service for residents and revenue for the City ➡️ mayorsinnovation.org/2025/10/29/c...
Reposted by Mayors Innovation Project
When I was mayor of Mpls, I was on the leading edge of something people didn’t want to name — a new wave of harassment toward women in public office.
New research shows women mayors face far more harassment and threats than men.
@politico story 👇
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
New research shows women mayors face far more harassment and threats than men.
@politico story 👇
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
Survey shows sharp gender gap in political harassment
Female mayors face higher rates of politically motivated violence and harassment, a new poll finds.
www.politico.com
October 30, 2025 at 3:50 PM
When I was mayor of Mpls, I was on the leading edge of something people didn’t want to name — a new wave of harassment toward women in public office.
New research shows women mayors face far more harassment and threats than men.
@politico story 👇
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
New research shows women mayors face far more harassment and threats than men.
@politico story 👇
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
Our latest report confirms what we’ve heard from mayors for 20+ years: women mayors and mayors of color experience more severe, more frequent threats, harassment, and challenges to authority than their white, male peers.
🔗Read the report & take action bit.ly/WMN-25
🔗Read the report & take action bit.ly/WMN-25
Under Pressure: How the Unique Challenges Faced by Women Mayors Undermine Democratic Governance
Over the course of our 20 year history as an organization, we’ve heard countless stories from women mayors that inspired us to study and document the challenges and systemic barriers that mayors face ...
bit.ly
October 30, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Our latest report confirms what we’ve heard from mayors for 20+ years: women mayors and mayors of color experience more severe, more frequent threats, harassment, and challenges to authority than their white, male peers.
🔗Read the report & take action bit.ly/WMN-25
🔗Read the report & take action bit.ly/WMN-25
We're thrilled to announce the core topics for our Winter 2026 Meeting, taking place Jan. 30-31st in DC! We can't wait to see you there!
🔗Learn more and register: bit.ly/MIPW26
🔗Learn more and register: bit.ly/MIPW26
October 24, 2025 at 3:57 PM
We're thrilled to announce the core topics for our Winter 2026 Meeting, taking place Jan. 30-31st in DC! We can't wait to see you there!
🔗Learn more and register: bit.ly/MIPW26
🔗Learn more and register: bit.ly/MIPW26
This month, we wrapped up our 2025 Mayors Institute on Pedestrian Safety🚲🚶 in partnership with
@smartgrowthusa.bsky.social & @aarp.org.
Congratulations🥳 to the 12 mayors who participated. We're proud of their work and grateful for their commitment to expanding street safety!
@smartgrowthusa.bsky.social & @aarp.org.
Congratulations🥳 to the 12 mayors who participated. We're proud of their work and grateful for their commitment to expanding street safety!
October 14, 2025 at 5:12 PM
This month, we wrapped up our 2025 Mayors Institute on Pedestrian Safety🚲🚶 in partnership with
@smartgrowthusa.bsky.social & @aarp.org.
Congratulations🥳 to the 12 mayors who participated. We're proud of their work and grateful for their commitment to expanding street safety!
@smartgrowthusa.bsky.social & @aarp.org.
Congratulations🥳 to the 12 mayors who participated. We're proud of their work and grateful for their commitment to expanding street safety!
Our latest Member City Spotlight features @cityofmadison.bsky.social's Complete Green Streets Program🚲🚶. Check it out to hear from Mayor @satyaformadison.bsky.social on how the program is streamlining street improvement efforts and how the City has overcome challenges to implementation 👇
Member City Spotlight: Madison, WI
Complete Streets is an approach to planning, designing, building, operating, and maintaining streets that enable safe access for all, regardless of mode of travel. Complete streets policies and practi...
mayorsinnovation.org
October 10, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Our latest Member City Spotlight features @cityofmadison.bsky.social's Complete Green Streets Program🚲🚶. Check it out to hear from Mayor @satyaformadison.bsky.social on how the program is streamlining street improvement efforts and how the City has overcome challenges to implementation 👇
📢US Mayors📢 you're invited to our Winter Meeting, taking place Jan. 30 - 31 2026 in DC!
Join us for two days of networking and policy sessions💡 designed to send you home with fresh ideas and new connections to support you and your city.
🔗Learn more: bit.ly/MIPW26
Join us for two days of networking and policy sessions💡 designed to send you home with fresh ideas and new connections to support you and your city.
🔗Learn more: bit.ly/MIPW26
Winter 2026 Meeting: January 30-31, Washington, DC
Mayors Innovation Project Winter 2026 Meeting: January 30-31, Washington, DC
bit.ly
September 25, 2025 at 4:21 PM
📢US Mayors📢 you're invited to our Winter Meeting, taking place Jan. 30 - 31 2026 in DC!
Join us for two days of networking and policy sessions💡 designed to send you home with fresh ideas and new connections to support you and your city.
🔗Learn more: bit.ly/MIPW26
Join us for two days of networking and policy sessions💡 designed to send you home with fresh ideas and new connections to support you and your city.
🔗Learn more: bit.ly/MIPW26
Faith-based organizations play an essential role in supporting communities—providing meals, emergency shelter, afterschool care, and more.
Join us Oct 15 @ 12pm CT for a webinar on strategies to activate the faith ecosystem in your community 👇
airtable.com/app3VBtoTLFitcirq/pagHiy4UFQyTdCUK6/form
Join us Oct 15 @ 12pm CT for a webinar on strategies to activate the faith ecosystem in your community 👇
airtable.com/app3VBtoTLFitcirq/pagHiy4UFQyTdCUK6/form
September 19, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Faith-based organizations play an essential role in supporting communities—providing meals, emergency shelter, afterschool care, and more.
Join us Oct 15 @ 12pm CT for a webinar on strategies to activate the faith ecosystem in your community 👇
airtable.com/app3VBtoTLFitcirq/pagHiy4UFQyTdCUK6/form
Join us Oct 15 @ 12pm CT for a webinar on strategies to activate the faith ecosystem in your community 👇
airtable.com/app3VBtoTLFitcirq/pagHiy4UFQyTdCUK6/form
📣Deadline extended! Cities now have until this Friday, September 19th📅 to apply for our Regulatory Justice Initiative!
Don't miss out on this opportunity to make it cheaper, faster, and simpler to start and grow a small business in your community.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to make it cheaper, faster, and simpler to start and grow a small business in your community.
📣Calling all Cities!📣
MIP is proud to partner with Cities Work to offer a new cohort opportunity for city leaders: The Regulatory Justice Initiative!
MIP is proud to partner with Cities Work to offer a new cohort opportunity for city leaders: The Regulatory Justice Initiative!
September 16, 2025 at 2:31 PM
📣Deadline extended! Cities now have until this Friday, September 19th📅 to apply for our Regulatory Justice Initiative!
Don't miss out on this opportunity to make it cheaper, faster, and simpler to start and grow a small business in your community.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to make it cheaper, faster, and simpler to start and grow a small business in your community.
It's #WelcomingWeek 🎉, a celebration of the work in communities to become welcoming places for all, including immigrants! Check out our latest feature on the origins of the week and how the City of Bend, under the leadership of Mayor @melaniekebler.bsky.social,
is celebrating! 👇
is celebrating! 👇
A Movement, Not Just a Moment: Welcoming Week Builds Bridges Across America
By Mary Carr Lee, Mayors Innovation Project Welcoming Week is more than a celebration—it’s a movement. It’s a call to action to build a nation of neighbors where all residents can embrace diversity, f...
mayorsinnovation.org
September 15, 2025 at 3:53 PM
It's #WelcomingWeek 🎉, a celebration of the work in communities to become welcoming places for all, including immigrants! Check out our latest feature on the origins of the week and how the City of Bend, under the leadership of Mayor @melaniekebler.bsky.social,
is celebrating! 👇
is celebrating! 👇
📣Calling all Cities!📣
MIP is proud to partner with Cities Work to offer a new cohort opportunity for city leaders: The Regulatory Justice Initiative!
MIP is proud to partner with Cities Work to offer a new cohort opportunity for city leaders: The Regulatory Justice Initiative!
August 14, 2025 at 5:20 PM
📣Calling all Cities!📣
MIP is proud to partner with Cities Work to offer a new cohort opportunity for city leaders: The Regulatory Justice Initiative!
MIP is proud to partner with Cities Work to offer a new cohort opportunity for city leaders: The Regulatory Justice Initiative!
Summer months often mean the absence of reliable childcare and can lead to "summer slide"—a decline in academic skills, limited access to nutritious meals, and reduced opportunities for social-emotional growth.
July 21, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Summer months often mean the absence of reliable childcare and can lead to "summer slide"—a decline in academic skills, limited access to nutritious meals, and reduced opportunities for social-emotional growth.
June is #GunViolenceAwarenessMonth, a time to acknowledge the impacts of gun violence on communities and to highlight local solutions.
This month, we're sharing our latest paper on investing in police-community relations to advance public safety ➡️ bit.ly/3Tff268
This month, we're sharing our latest paper on investing in police-community relations to advance public safety ➡️ bit.ly/3Tff268
Investing in Police-Community Relations to Advance Public Safety
Vasquez Guzman, L. Investing in Police-Community Relations to Advance Public Safety. Mayors Innovation Project. Ensuring public safety is the first task of government. But since our country’s founding...
bit.ly
June 27, 2025 at 7:51 PM
June is #GunViolenceAwarenessMonth, a time to acknowledge the impacts of gun violence on communities and to highlight local solutions.
This month, we're sharing our latest paper on investing in police-community relations to advance public safety ➡️ bit.ly/3Tff268
This month, we're sharing our latest paper on investing in police-community relations to advance public safety ➡️ bit.ly/3Tff268
The Mayors Innovation Project wishes you and your community a safe and happy #Juneteenth!
To celebrate, we're honoring MIP member, Mayor Ben Holbert and sharing how under his leadership, Juneteenth festivities have grown in Woodmere, OH! 👇
To celebrate, we're honoring MIP member, Mayor Ben Holbert and sharing how under his leadership, Juneteenth festivities have grown in Woodmere, OH! 👇
Woodmere’s Juneteenth Celebration Expands with Art, Reflection, and Tribute to Outgoing Mayor Ben Holbert
By Mary Carr Lee, Mayors Innovation Project This year’s Juneteenth celebration in Woodmere, Ohio, will be special for several reasons. The event is expanding to four days, beginning on Thursday, June…
bit.ly
June 19, 2025 at 2:07 PM
The Mayors Innovation Project wishes you and your community a safe and happy #Juneteenth!
To celebrate, we're honoring MIP member, Mayor Ben Holbert and sharing how under his leadership, Juneteenth festivities have grown in Woodmere, OH! 👇
To celebrate, we're honoring MIP member, Mayor Ben Holbert and sharing how under his leadership, Juneteenth festivities have grown in Woodmere, OH! 👇
We're excited to announce that Libby Schaaf, the former mayor of Oakland, CA, will deliver the keynote address at our Summer Meeting in Albuquerque, NM!
Learn more and register ➡️ bit.ly/MIP-S25
Learn more and register ➡️ bit.ly/MIP-S25
June 5, 2025 at 8:54 PM
We're excited to announce that Libby Schaaf, the former mayor of Oakland, CA, will deliver the keynote address at our Summer Meeting in Albuquerque, NM!
Learn more and register ➡️ bit.ly/MIP-S25
Learn more and register ➡️ bit.ly/MIP-S25
In May 2022, we launched our "May is for Mayoral Safety" campaign to raise awareness of the rise in threats and harassment of US mayors. Today, we're releasing an updated version of our Security and Privacy Checklist for mayors.
Check it out ➡️ mayorsinnovation.org/our-work/may...
Check it out ➡️ mayorsinnovation.org/our-work/may...
Mayoral Safety
Mayors, elected officials, and city staff face unique risks when it comes to privacy. As public figures, they must maintain a public profile online. This attracts heightened interest from opponents, t...
mayorsinnovation.org
May 30, 2025 at 4:31 PM
In May 2022, we launched our "May is for Mayoral Safety" campaign to raise awareness of the rise in threats and harassment of US mayors. Today, we're releasing an updated version of our Security and Privacy Checklist for mayors.
Check it out ➡️ mayorsinnovation.org/our-work/may...
Check it out ➡️ mayorsinnovation.org/our-work/may...
📢Calling all mayors!📢
We're just 2 months away from our Summer Meeting. Please join us, 7/30 - 8/1 in Albuquerque for a conference experience you won’t want to miss! Stay tuned for meeting updates and register here:
We're just 2 months away from our Summer Meeting. Please join us, 7/30 - 8/1 in Albuquerque for a conference experience you won’t want to miss! Stay tuned for meeting updates and register here:
Summer 2025 Meeting: September 4-6, Albuquerque, NM
Join us in Albuquerque for the Summer Meeting, hosted by Mayor Tim Keller!
bit.ly
May 30, 2025 at 3:31 PM
📢Calling all mayors!📢
We're just 2 months away from our Summer Meeting. Please join us, 7/30 - 8/1 in Albuquerque for a conference experience you won’t want to miss! Stay tuned for meeting updates and register here:
We're just 2 months away from our Summer Meeting. Please join us, 7/30 - 8/1 in Albuquerque for a conference experience you won’t want to miss! Stay tuned for meeting updates and register here:
May is #SmallBusinessMonth!
Check out our recent guest blog to hear from Next Street's @michaelrothnj.bsky.social on a critical, but often undervalued, key for the success of small businesses: government urgency 👇 mayorsinnovation.org/2025/05/19/g...
Check out our recent guest blog to hear from Next Street's @michaelrothnj.bsky.social on a critical, but often undervalued, key for the success of small businesses: government urgency 👇 mayorsinnovation.org/2025/05/19/g...
Government urgency: key for supporting small businesses
By Michael Roth, Next Street I was asked to give a presentation to the leadership of one of our Fortune 500 clients recently on a simple topic: What is the current state of small business …
mayorsinnovation.org
May 23, 2025 at 6:01 PM
May is #SmallBusinessMonth!
Check out our recent guest blog to hear from Next Street's @michaelrothnj.bsky.social on a critical, but often undervalued, key for the success of small businesses: government urgency 👇 mayorsinnovation.org/2025/05/19/g...
Check out our recent guest blog to hear from Next Street's @michaelrothnj.bsky.social on a critical, but often undervalued, key for the success of small businesses: government urgency 👇 mayorsinnovation.org/2025/05/19/g...
Resilient infrastructure is the backbone of strong communities. As we reflect on #infrastructureweek, check out our blog w/ @innovativedot.bsky.social on how smart investments and responsible planning policies can support safer, more sustainable futures: bit.ly/45k36ah
Resilient infrastructure, responsible development can reduce insurance risk
By Quincy Midthun and Eric Murphy This blog post is a collaboration between the State Smart Transportation Initiative and the Mayors Innovation Project, both programs of the High Road Strategy Center ...
bit.ly
May 20, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Resilient infrastructure is the backbone of strong communities. As we reflect on #infrastructureweek, check out our blog w/ @innovativedot.bsky.social on how smart investments and responsible planning policies can support safer, more sustainable futures: bit.ly/45k36ah
To celebrate #InfrastructureWeek, we're bringing you a blog from one of our sponsors, @trustforpublicland.bsky.social! Check it out to learn how public parks🌳 drive economic growth and support public health and climate resilience ➡️ bit.ly/3RZUpdB
How Parks Strengthen Cities: A Guide to Healthy, Resilient, and Connected Communities
By Bianca Clarke, Trust for Public Land Parks are Smart City Strategy Parks play an essential role in addressing some of the most pressing issues facing our communities today. When thoughtfully desig...
bit.ly
May 13, 2025 at 9:20 PM
To celebrate #InfrastructureWeek, we're bringing you a blog from one of our sponsors, @trustforpublicland.bsky.social! Check it out to learn how public parks🌳 drive economic growth and support public health and climate resilience ➡️ bit.ly/3RZUpdB
Check out our 2024 Year in Review💡 to learn about the projects, innovative policies and programs, and meaningful partnerships that contributed to our impact last year ➡️ bit.ly/42CZr4H.
Thank you for building this network with us, your support enables us to help put more cities on the #highroad!
Thank you for building this network with us, your support enables us to help put more cities on the #highroad!
bit.ly
April 17, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Check out our 2024 Year in Review💡 to learn about the projects, innovative policies and programs, and meaningful partnerships that contributed to our impact last year ➡️ bit.ly/42CZr4H.
Thank you for building this network with us, your support enables us to help put more cities on the #highroad!
Thank you for building this network with us, your support enables us to help put more cities on the #highroad!
We are thrilled to announce the third cohort of the Mayors Institute on Pedestrian Safety! This year, supported by AARP Livable Communities and @smartgrowthusa.bsky.social, 12 mayors were selected through a national competitive application process to join the cohort.
Learn more: bit.ly/4jD47hV
Learn more: bit.ly/4jD47hV
Twelve US Mayors Selected to Join the 2025 Mayors Institute on Pedestrian Safety
Katya Spear Managing Director knspear@mayorsinnovation.org 608.262.5831 Erica Cova Director of Communications ecova@smartgrowthamerica.org 202.516.5353 Today, the Mayors Innovation Project is pleased ...
bit.ly
April 9, 2025 at 5:27 PM
We are thrilled to announce the third cohort of the Mayors Institute on Pedestrian Safety! This year, supported by AARP Livable Communities and @smartgrowthusa.bsky.social, 12 mayors were selected through a national competitive application process to join the cohort.
Learn more: bit.ly/4jD47hV
Learn more: bit.ly/4jD47hV