Email icon Back to Search
Purple and rose graphic with six photos of women on the Mississippi Mills leadership team for International Women's Day

Mississippi Mills Leadership Team

The Municipality of Mississippi Mills is fortunate to have a strong group of women making up a large portion of our Leadership Team. Six of our 10 department leaders are women, including:

  • Kathy Davis – Director of Corporate Services / Treasurer / Deputy CAO

  • Jeanne Harfield – Clerk / Deputy CAO

  • Melanie Knight – Director of Development Services and Engineering

  • Anita Legault – Director of Childcare Services

  • Tiffany MacLaren – Manager of Community and Economic Development

  • Christine Row – Mississippi Mills Public Library CEO / Chief Librarian

“We are proud to have so many talented, intelligent and inspiring women on our team, not just at the senior leadership level, but throughout our municipal departments,” said Jeanne Harfield, Clerk and Deputy CAO.

“The Municipality of Mississippi Mills continues to strive to create a supportive environment, one that fosters employee well-being and a sense of inclusion,” adds Kathy Davis, Director of Corporate Services, Treasurer and Deputy CAO.

The 2024 International Women’s Day theme is Inspire Inclusion and adding diverse voices to municipal teams can encourage and inspire other women and those from marginalized communities, to pursue those roles as well.

Graphic featuring five photos of women on Mississippi Mills Council with the text 'International Women's Day Women in Leadership'

Mississippi Mills Council

Five out of our seven current Council Members are women. Leadership opportunities for women in the municipal sector are crucial for a more equitable Canada, according to a 2023 Federation of Canadian Municipalities report on representation of on municipal councils.

Did you know?

  • 31% of all municipal elected officials in Canada are women

  • Women hold 22% of mayoral positions (2% increase since 2018)

  • Women hold 33% of councillor positions (4% increase since 2018)

  • 16% of Municipalities have women representing at least half of the Council

Find out more about your female Council Members:

  • Ramsay Ward Councillor Bev Holmes

A longtime Ramsay Ward resident, Councillor Holmes is an active farmer and retired Registered Nurse. She also has her Masters in Business. This is her second term on Council, deciding to enter the realm of municipal politics after her 40-year career.

Her philosophy: We do not dwell on what is not working well but how it can be improved on. 

  • Ramsay Ward Councillor Vicki Lowe

Raised in Mississippi Mills, Councillor Lowe lives with her family in Ramsay Ward. Previously a part of the accounting world, she is currently executive director of a sports governing body, dealing with governance, compliance and codes of conduct issues on a regular basis.

She’s pleased to be part of a strong Council team who debates issues intelligently and respectfully.

  • Almonte Ward Councillor Mary Lou Souter

Councillor Souter came to Mississippi Mills for a job, but has stayed for a lifetime. A former teacher at Almonte District High School, she has also been a key community leader on many boards and executive committees, along with being a dedicated volunteer.

Her motto for public office: Quality of life involves more than infrastructure and people should give back to the community that nurtures them.

  • Almonte Ward Councillor Jane Torrance

Since moving to Almonte in the early 1990s with her family, Councillor Torrance has immersed herself in the community through volunteering and public service. She was first elected as Councillor in 2003. She runs her own consulting business, is a trained Professional Facilitator and currently works as a health planner.

Her goals as a Councillor: To be a responsive and respectful councillor and to make a positive impact on the community.

  • Mayor Christa Lowry

Mayor Lowry has served the residents of Mississippi Mills since 2014, first as a Ramsay Ward Councillor and now in her second term as Mayor, where she strives to be a rural advocate and community builder. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) Board of Directors and is the Zone 8 Representative on the Board. Mayor Lowry is also a professional musician.

The Mayor’s brand of municipal leadership: Open, sincere, respectful and forward-thinking.

We’re continuing the conversation on Women in Leadership after International Women’s Day has passed. Watch for details on an upcoming opportunity to meet with your female Council Members!