Mary W. Rowe is a leading urban advocate whose work spans cities across Canada and the United States. She brings decades of experience in community development, philanthropy, and city‑building. Mary previously led Ideas That Matter, the Canadian platform inspired by Jane Jacobs, and later spent seven years in New Orleans supporting neighbourhood‑scale rebuilding following Hurricane Katrina. Prior to joining the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI) as President and Chief Executive Officer, she served as Executive Vice President of the Municipal Art Society of New York. A frequent contributor to city‑building forums and media, Mary leads CUI’s work to advance research, collaboration, and practical solutions to complex urban challenges. She is also a Senior Fellow with Shorefast and the creator and host of CityTalk.