377: Jennifer Wills: From Parks to Purpose

Jennifer Wills: From Parks to PurposeWhy Community Builders Make Great City Managers Episode 377 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Sponsored by Tyler Technologies What if one of the best paths to becoming a great city manager starts in Parks & Recreation? *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "7f0aa905-d803-4481-9e44-c1a088a011df" data-testid= "conversation-turn-12" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> In this episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Jennifer Wills, City Manager of Longview, Washington, whose unconventional journey proves that leadership isn't about climbing a predetermined ladder; it's about saying yes to opportunities, building relationships, and creating places where people belong. Jennifer shares how a childhood spent in municipal recreation programs, an adventurous career as a wilderness ranger, and years leading Parks & Recreation prepared her to lead an entire city. Along the way, she explains why local government is fundamentally about community building, why storytelling is essential to earning public trust, and how leaders can turn skeptics into advocates through vision, resilience, and results. The conversation also explores Jennifer's transition into the city manager's office, the importance of organizational culture, and the emotional responsibility leaders carry when tragedy strikes their community. Whether you're an aspiring leader, a seasoned city manager, or someone passionate about strengthening your community, this episode is filled with practical wisdom and inspiring perspective. About Jennifer WillsJennifer Wills is the City Manager for the City of Longview, Washington. After beginning her career in Parks & Recreation, she spent nearly two decades helping build stronger communities before becoming city manager in 2025. Known for her energy, relationship-centered leadership, and commitment to community engagement, Jennifer is passionate about creating places where people feel they belong while fostering a culture of service, innovation, and trust throughout local government. This Episode is Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software and technology solutions built specifically for local government. From artificial intelligence and resident engagement to budgeting, planning, and public service delivery, Tyler helps communities operate more efficiently and serve residents more effectively. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) - The MLDC is a private leadership community designed exclusively for local government professionals. Through practical tools, meaningful conversations, and a nationwide network of peers, members gain the support and perspective needed to lead with greater confidence, clarity, and impact. https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC Connect With Seth Winterhalter Seth Winterhalter is a keynote speaker, storyteller, and President of HaltingWinter, a national media company dedicated to telling the stories of local government. Through The HaltingWinter Podcast and the nationwide HaltingWinter Tour, he highlights the people and communities shaping America from the ground up, celebrating public servants, strengthening the profession, and inspiring the next generation to pursue lives of purpose and impact through local government. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com