Ward 2 - Councillor Lisa Kearns

This assignment builds on Councillor Kearns’ experience in resident’s groups even before being elected, her professional experience in corporate stakeholder management, and her Institute of Corporate Directors governance designation.

The portfolio will include:

• Reviewing our current community engagement models, including our advisory committee structure, with a view to community capacity building.
• Liaising with our partner agencies/boards/committees on governance, and ensuring strong connections with the city, and council
• Co-sponsor with the Deputy Mayor for Recreation & Community Services on community funding opportunities at the City and Region and private sponsorship opportunities for city projects.

Lisa is an elected Halton Region and City of Burlington Councillor in her second term. Lisa has a passion and dedication for improving the lives of others and strengthening the bonds of community.

Lisa has been appointed the Deputy Mayor for Community Engagement and Partnerships and is eager to shape this new role. Whether it’s through the community updates, pop-up meetings, walking tours, or online newsletter, Lisa engages with residents to keep them connected to City Hall.

She is respected as a credible voice in total value decision making, empowering strategic partners, and intuitively connecting people. Her Council priorities are to deliver complete communities, support the local business economy, and further climate resiliency.

Lisa is proud of improving the quality of life in her ward and city. As an innovator, she welcomed many firsts including: Lobbyist Registry, Urban Farm, urban off-leash dog park, hybrid community updates and walking tours. As a key advocate, downtown Burlington was the first area to shift planning intensification away from the downtown/waterfront and to the Burlington GO Station.

She currently serves on the Halton Police Board, Art Gallery of Burlington, Burlington Public Library, Burlington Downtown Business Association, Burlington Food Bank, Sound of Music, and is City Hall Chair of Audit Committee and Council Budget meetings. 

Lisa holds an Honours BA in Political Science, uplifted by business stream curriculum from the University of Western Ontario. She has obtained the Institute of Corporate Directors designation.

Lisa believes the Ward 2 community is both compassionate and resilient. She is committed to ensure it remains the best place to live, raise a family, age in place or run a business. Lisa lives in downtown Burlington with her family and two dogs. You can often find Lisa enjoying the waterfront and all the vibrancy downtown has to offer.