Small Talk Podcast with hosts (Anandi & Chris) Guest: Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, Season #1, Episode #3, March 3rd, 2023

Marianne Meed Ward, is an American-born Canadian politician and former journalist who has served as the 29th and current mayor of Burlington since December 3, 2018. Born in Greeley, Colorado, to a Canadian father and American mother, Mayor Meed Ward grew up in Kingston, Ontario and Toronto before moving to Ottawa where she earned a Bachelor of Journalism from Carleton University in 1989. Marianne Meed Ward, worked for Faith Today magazine from 1989, becoming managing editor in 1996. She resigned her position in February 1999 following a 'change in direction' at the magazine. She launched her own communications business, Meed Ward Media, providing writing, editorial, consulting or teaching services to a range of clients including Chatelaine, Vision TV, Ryerson University, Tyndale College, CHCH TV, Crossroads Communications, and the Toronto Sun where she served as a weekly columnist covering faith and ethics, and later covering the 905 area of the Greater Toronto Area, Meed Ward stood down from the position to contest the 2010 election. Meed Ward first entered politics by running for Ward 1 councillor in the 2006 municipal election, losing to Rick Craven. In 2007, she ran as the Ontario Liberal Party candidate for Burlington, coming second to PC candidate Joyce Savoline by only 1824 votes,and receiving 37.81% of the vote. After 2007, Meed Ward returned to journalism, before deciding to run for election municipally. After moving to downtown Burlington (Ward 2), she ran for municipal council again in 2010, defeating incumbent Peter Thoem. She was re-elected in 2014, before running in 2018 for mayor, and defeating incumbent Rick Goldring. In October 2022, Mayor Meed Ward was re-elected for a second term, winning 77.95% of the popular vote and receiving almost 25,000 more votes than the runner-up. She ran on a platform for reasonable development, adding more community centres and parks, and cutting red tape. #mariannemeedward #mayor #burlingtonontario #politician #journalist #media #torontosun #meedwardmedia #writingeditorial #consultant #carletonuniversity #faithtodaymagazine #smalltalkpodcast #guest #localnewsshow #anandicarrollwoolery #chrispomay #youtubechannel #facebooklive #twitter #twitch #twitter #linkedin #smalltalkfacebookpage #audio #applepodcasts #googlepodcast #spotify #anchorfm #linkedin #radiopublic #castbox #pocketcasts #iheartradio #amazonmusic #stitcher #tunein