The Thriving Mayor Show

Join me and Mike Robbins, the Chairman of the Center for Responsible Travel on Episode 28 of the Thriving Mayor show . We chat about:
- Mike’s early years travelling between Toronto and Collingwood where he still alpine ski races,
- His work with CREST to lead more responsible tourism across the globe
- The beauty and experience of tourism with indigenous people on their territory
- Urban tourism during and post-pandemic

Mike is an Adventure traveller, tourism management consultant, ski area designer, philanthropist, volunteer Board member, masters alpine ski racer, with a passion for empowering remote Indigenous communities through responsible tourism. Mike is also a Founding Partner with the Tourism Company, King Penguin with Linking Tourism & Conservation, and Fellow International Member of The Explorers Club.

The Center for Responsible Travel (CREST) is a global nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC dedicated to increasing the positive global impact of responsible tourism.

Through innovative field projects, research, consultancies, and advocacy, CREST is taking action to address four of our world’s key threats to securing a sustainable future: climate change, overtourism, biodiversity and cultural heritage loss, and inequitable access to wealth.

Join me and Chief Dave Mowat of the Alderville First Nation on June 23 as we continue his pre-recored interview and learn from his "living art" approach to history. Dave shares his thoughts about:
- His musical band Dave Mowat and the Curbside Shuffle
- How the harmonica found him in Winnipeg
- Creating the art between history and music
- Governance of Alderville First Nation
- The Truth and Reconciliation Commission's work is not over
- Canada's learning is just beginning
Chief Mowat has spent over 30 years working in various capacities at the First Nation level, in Winnipeg, Waabaseemoong, Scugog Island and Alderville. As a researcher, writer, youth worker, economic development officer, consultation specialist, Band councilor (2007-15) and as the elected Chief of Alderville First Nation since 2019, Dave has remained committed to the positive advancement of his community.

His passion and focus remain researching and understanding the treaty, military, and settlement history of southern Ontario (Upper Canada). This experience over decades allows him to defend the Mississauga Anishinabeg presence in southern Ontario with confidence and commitment.

Dave is also a long-time blues musician/singer, having taken up the harmonica back in the early 1980s shortly after relocating to north end Winnipeg from southern Ontario. He still plays professionally in Toronto and south-central Ontario.

As a traditional wild rice harvester, he is a staunch defender of this aboriginal right across Alderville’s treaty areas. In the wake of the 2018 Williams Treaties Settlement Agreement Chief Dave Mowat’s main intent was and continues to be securing the settlement for the immediate and long-term viability of Alderville First Nation.

He currently sits on the Queens University Indigenous Elders Advisory Committee, the City of Kingston Sir John A MacDonald History and Legacy Working Group and works with the City of Kingston on the Alderville First Nation commemorative public art project (“Manidoo Ogitigan”) which was approved by City Council in 2017 for installation at Lake Ontario Park. Along with his wife Janet and their granddaughter Brooklyn, Dave lives in the home he built in Alderville (25 years ago), adjacent to his beloved Black Oak Savanna and Tallgrass Prairie, where he and Janet also raised their 3 children.

#community #canada #gettingthingsdone #firstnations #mindset #historymatters #summersolstice #SettlersTakeAction

Join me and Chief Dave Mowat of the Alderville First Nation on June 16 and learn from his "living art" approach to history. Dave shares his thoughts about:
- His great grandfather, a 1908 London Olympian, who inspired Dave's love of history and his "window" into Alderville's broader issues
- The living history of Canada's First Nation people
- Alderville's community response to the Kamloops residential school news
- Being Chief of the Alderville First Nation and connecting people with their past

Chief Mowat has spent over 30 years working in various capacities at the First Nation level, in Winnipeg, Waabaseemoong, Scugog Island and Alderville. As a researcher, writer, youth worker, economic development officer, consultation specialist, Band councilor (2007-15) and as the elected Chief of Alderville First Nation since 2019, Dave has remained committed to the positive advancement of his community.

His passion and focus remain researching and understanding the treaty, military, and settlement history of southern Ontario (Upper Canada). This experience over decades allows him to defend the Mississauga Anishinabeg presence in southern Ontario with confidence and commitment.

Dave is also a long-time blues musician/singer, having taken up the harmonica back in the early 1980s shortly after relocating to north end Winnipeg from southern Ontario. He still plays professionally in Toronto and south-central Ontario.

As a traditional wild rice harvester, he is a staunch defender of this aboriginal right across Alderville’s treaty areas. In the wake of the 2018 Williams Treaties Settlement Agreement Chief Dave Mowat’s main intent was and continues to be securing the settlement for the immediate and long-term viability of Alderville First Nation.

He currently sits on the Queens University Indigenous Elders Advisory Committee, the City of Kingston Sir John A MacDonald History and Legacy Working Group and works with the City of Kingston on the Alderville First Nation commemorative public art project (“Manidoo Ogitigan”) which was approved by City Council in 2017 for installation at Lake Ontario Park. Along with his wife Janet and their granddaughter Brooklyn, Dave lives in the home he built in Alderville (25 years ago), adjacent to his beloved Black Oak Savanna and Tallgrass Prairie, where he and Janet also raised their 3 children.

Kassim Doumbia was newly elected mayor of Shippagan, making him the first Black mayor in N.B.'s history.

Join me and mayor Doumbia on Episode 26 of the Thriving Mayor show as we chat about:
- growing up in Ivory Coast and Senegal,
- Leaving home (in January) to study at University of Moncton,
- Investing in network building to share his gifts,
- Empowering Canadian Francophone communities to create opportunities and thrive,
- His mom's hesitancy about running for mayor,
- The winning contribution of his 15-year old campaign manager and
- The wonderful vision for his mayorship and the community of Shippagan, NB.

One of Kassim’s most published quotes is : “The United States got Obama as the first Black President, Shippagan got me.”

Mayor Doumbia is originally from Ivory Coast, and travelled to New-Brunswick in 2000 to attend Université de Moncton. In 2004 he received a bachelor degree in Computer Science in followed by an MBA in 2006. Doumbia has worked inside Shippagan City Hall since 2012 when he first won a seat on council. In 2016, he took on the added role of Deputy Mayor and now, Kassim is mayor of Shippagan.

Kassim married Karine, a native of Shippagan, NB and they have 2 beautiful daughters 11 and 9. The family has called Shippagan home since 2007.

In 2015 he was recognized by 21inc as one of Atlantic Canada’s top 50 of leaders under the age of 40.

#thriving #mayors #newbrunswick #stewardship #legacybuilding #municipalities

Join me and former Humboldt, Saskatchewan mayor Malcolm Eaton as we chat about:
- Thriving as "the old grey mayor" of Humboldt.
- Being mayor for 10 years after retirement
- Giving back to Saskatchewan municipalities after politics
- What kept you up at night
- The culture of leadership and acknowledging them
- Humboldt Strong and living with tragedy
Malcolm and his wife Carol live in Humboldt, Saskatchewan and have raised a family of five children in the community over the past 25 years. In 2006, Malcolm retired after a 34 year career as a teacher and school principal.
In November 2016, Malcolm retired from his position as the Mayor of Humboldt. He was first elected to Humboldt City Council in 2003 and became the Mayor in 2006. During his time as mayor, Malcolm guided the city through a period of significant growth and development.
Living in the community for over 25 years and raising a family has allowed Malcolm the opportunity to be involved in a wide range of community groups, events and activities. These include school activities, minor sports groups, church activities, cultural and recreational programs, and community development projects.
Malcolm continues to serve the community in volunteer roles and was honoured to receive the 2017 Humboldt Citizen of the Year award at the Humboldt and District Chamber of Commerce Awards of Excellence event.
#community #leadership #thriving #thrivingmayor #humboldtstrong #municipalworld

Join me and Regina, Saskatchewan Mayor Sandra Masters On Episode 24 of the Thriving Mayor Show. We chat about:
- The aha moment launching the campaign for mayor,
- Beating a two term incumbent, 7 other men all during a pandemic
- Who would have thought "cold-calling" would be so important (sales & marketing)
- Thriving as a mother of 4, leader of the a major Canadian city and successful business woman
- Amplifying the city of Regina's commitment to safety, inclusivity, accessibility and sustainability as Mayor, and
- Her first 6 months in office.

Mayor Masters is the City of Regina’s 35th Mayor and first elected woman Mayor.
Proudly Saskatchewan, Mayor Masters grew up in the prairies and has called Regina home for more than 20 years.
Her professional career has included agricultural financing, commercial real estate and banking.
Energetic and passionate about Regina’s future, Mayor Masters is guided by a desire for an economically vibrant community that is inclusive, accessible, sustainable and safe!

Join me and Guelph, Ontario mayor Cam Guthrie on Episode 23. We'll chat about Cam's musical roots, his mayoral journey and his leadership of the City of Guelph's Circular City and Circular Opportunity Innovation Launchpad. COIL is accelerating Canada's transition to a sustainable, circular economy — starting with the food and environment sectors.

Cam Guthrie was re-elected Mayor of Guelph in 2018, after serving as Mayor from 2014 to 2018 and as a Councillor for Ward 4 from 2010 to 2014.
From 2019-2020 he served a two-year term as the Chair of Ontario’s Big City Mayors, a group of 29 mayors of cities with populations of 100,000 or more who collectively represent nearly 70 per cent of Ontario’s population.
Cam was a licensed insurance broker and local entrepreneur for 16 years before becoming Mayor. An avid community volunteer, Cam has served on the Boards of several local not-for-profit organizations, and he has mentored startups and small business owners through the Business Centre of Guelph-Wellington. He holds a business diploma from Sir Sandford Fleming College. In 2008, the Guelph Mercury named him one of the city’s top “40 Under 40.”
An accomplished drummer, Cam has been a member of local bands, played on several studio recordings, and produced or co-produced several albums. He is also a loyal fan of the Guelph Gryphons, the Guelph Storm, and the Guelph Royals.
Cam’s roots in Guelph stretch back to 1919, when his great-grandfather founded Guthrie’s Bakery on Quebec Street in downtown Guelph. Cam and his wife Rachel are proud parents of two children, Anakin and Adelaide.

Join me and Don Lovisa, the President of Durham College in Oshawa Ontario, to chat about the new $5,000,000 donation to launch the Barrett Family Centre for Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture and other Durham College initiatives.

Known as the Barrett Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture (Barrett Centre), the heart of this new hub will see the creation of an urban farm in the community, leveraging the college’s track record and expertise in food, urban farming and horticulture science to explore urban agricultural practices, education and training. It will also serve to educate the next generation of urban farmers, helping address some of society’s biggest challenges including food insecurity, access to safe and stable supplies of fresh food, and economic stability and regeneration of land for local food production.

Also joining the show to describe the program and procedures is Ryan Cullen, Field Supervisor of the W. Galen Weston Food Centre.

Being President is a position Don has held for the past thirteen years of his more than 30 years in post-secondary education.

In this position, Don leads a talented group of more than 2,300 full and part-time employees dedicated to leading the way. Durham College has thrived under Lovisa’s leadership, growing to more than 13,800 full-time, post-secondary and apprenticeship students and over 30,000 students in total.

Lovisa is considered a leader in the college system and the broader provincial and national community. He is currently on the board of Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICAN) and was formerly the Chair of Colleges Ontario and co-chair of the Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer (ONCAT). He takes great pride in Durham College being recognized as a GTA Top Employer and one of Canada’s Greenest Employers.
Lovisa has a Master’s degree in International Management, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology, a diploma in Adult Education, and has completed the course work for a Ph.D. in Community College Leadership.

Visit: https://durhamcollege.ca/academic-schools/school-of-hospitality-horticultural-science

email Ryan at: [email protected]

Join me and Ian McCormack, CMC , author of "Who's Driving the Grader? and other governance questions" on Episode 21 of the Thriving Mayor Show. Ian is president of Strategic Steps, loves what he does and sharing his wisdom and Ianisms, such as:

- No strategy survives first contact with reality
- It's never about what it's about
- Stop doing stupid stuff
- You don't know what you don't know and
- Closing on a positive tone.

Ian lives in the space between appointed or elected officials and organizations’ managers.

Since 2000, Ian has worked on governance and structural reviews, strategy development and implementation, and orientations or refreshers for boards of directors and elected officials. He has done this both as an employee of government and as a business adviser in the private sector, working for himself and others.

As a nationally recognized Certified Management Consultant (CMC) his areas of interest include local government, libraries, post-secondary education, health, non-profit organizations and community safety.

Listen to my milestone Episode 20 of the Thriving Mayor show, entitled “Helping Mayors Thrive”. It’s a bit of a recap and we’ll hear from previous guests and a few ideas I’ve crafted to use my unique perspectives to create value and help mayors thrive. Naturally this episode is sponsored by ThrivingMayor.com and I cover:
1. Why I want to help Mayors thrive

2. Meet a few Thriving Mayors who demonstrate 6 leadership traits:
a. Trusting your growth mindset: Mayor Gerald Aalbers
b. Leaning into self awareness: Mayor Merlyn Recinos
c. Taking courageous action: Mayor Amanda McDougall
d. Inspiring others: Mayor Fraser Tolmie
e. Pin pointing meaningful change: Mayor Mitch Panciuk
f. Crafting a magnetic vision: Mayor Lisa Helps

3. Key challenges Mayors are facing

4. Partnering to overcome challenges and thriving.

Mayors are the super heroes we have elected to lead the creation of thriving communities! They are our best hope to lead the evolution of our townscapes, cityscapes and the services they provide in sustaining the highest quality of living for the 80% of us who choose urban dwelling.
A mayor’s leadership role is multi-faceted, blending CEO, Steward, Visionary, Mentor, Spokesperson, Authority and Head Coach.