Don Iveson served as Edmonton’s 35th Mayor from 2013 to 2021, during which time he oversaw the launch of the city’s Smart Growth Plan; City Council’s Energy Transition Strategy; and the Citywide Flood Mitigation Strategy.
Since retiring from City Hall he has worked part-time with Co-Operators as Executive Advisor for Climate Investment and Community Resiliency and on ramping up Civic Good, a public policy advisory practice working on climate, housing, governance and civic innovation projects with like-minded clients ranging from startups to governments. He also volunteers as Board Co-Chair of the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness.
During his time as Mayor, Mr. Iveson also served as Chair of Canada’s Big City Mayors and on the board of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities; helped to shape the National Housing Strategy; was an Honorary Witness to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada; and implemented the first trauma-informed all-staff Indigenous awareness and reconciliation training program at a major Canadian city.
Don returns to the School of Cities for a second year as a Canadian Urban Leader. He is using his time in the role to build cases for governance and financial empowerment of Canada’s Metropolitan City Regions and extra-constitutional changes that a visionary Canadian province could adopt to drive inclusive growth, resilience & sustainability, and prosperity for their citizens.