Today's episode is with Alberta Leader and mayoral candidate for the city of Calgary, Jyoti Gondek. In this conversation, Jyoti gives us a behind-the-scenes look into municipal elections, and why municipal elections matter to our day-to-day lives as women. Jyoti provides examples as to how the current campaign system and the current fundraising process are barriers to women running and winning. She also shares how we—as working moms—can change it.
We are going to look at Jyoti's innovatie perspective on balance and lack of balance. Specifically, what happens to cities when they are developed without female leaders and female input. Why our current political climate tends to be polarized, and why political balance is key to us moving forward. And finally, Jyoti shares with us her honest and vulnerable perspective of personal work/life balance and the unexpected benefits that come from a lack of balance.
About Jyoti Gondek:
Jyoti Gondek is currently serving Calgary city council as ward 3 councillor. She is running for Mayor in the upcoming municipal election on October 18, 2021. If elected, she would be the first woman to serve as mayor for the city of Calgary, since its incorporated in 1884.
Jyoti Gondek holds an undergraduate degree in sociology and criminology, an MA in organizational sociology that examined corporate social responsibility, and a PhD in urban sociology that provided insights into the struggles of urban-rural hybrid areas. She was the Director of the Westman Centre for Real Estate Studies at the University of Calgary’s Haskayne School of Business before taking office in 2017. For 12 years prior, she provided research-based consulting services ranging from creating complete communities to fostering healthy corporate cultures. Jyoti also has private sector experience in financial services and public sector experience as a policy analyst.
Jyoti has been recognized for her contributions to community through the 2012 Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the 2016 Angus Reid Applied Sociology Award. She is Mother. Leader. Businessperson. Wife. Citizen. Friend. Daughter. Problem solver. Entrepreneur.
Connect with Jyoti Gondek:
Web: https://www.jyotigondek.ca
Facebook: @JyotiGondek
Twitter: @JyotiGondek
IG: @jyotigondek