Since 2015, the Minnesota City/County Management Association (MCMA) has taken purposeful strides to support the advancement of women in local government. Originally created as a task force, MCMA’s Women in the Profession committee adopted the mission to foster connection, build leadership pathways, and address the ever-present challenge of work-life balance. The committee has developed innovative programs that create space for support, conversations, and celebrations. Among them, the Coffee and Careers roundtable series.

Coffee and Careers events are informal, topic-based gatherings designed to connect women working in local government at all career levels. Whether held virtually or in-person, these conversations offer a space for women to share challenges and successes, seek advice, and strengthen their networks. The format is simple, but the impact is profound. Participants leave with new ideas, meaningful peer support, and the affirmation that they are not alone in navigating the complexities of public service.

This program directly reflects the goals of ICMA’s SheLeadsGov initiative, which calls for the profession to innovate, inspire, and impact. SheLeadsGov, a global ICMA program launched to champion gender equity in local government, provides a critical framework for supporting women’s career advancement, fostering inclusive leadership, and addressing persistent gender-based challenges. According to ICMA’s 2024 Career Advancement Survey, 87% of respondents agreed that women face more barriers to leadership than men, citing factors such as exclusion from decision-making, lack of mentorship, and difficulty balancing personal and professional roles​.

MCMA’s Women in the Profession committee embraces these challenges head-on. In addition to Coffee and Careers, the committee also hosts sessions at MCMA’s conferences. Past topics have included gender stereotypes across generations and self-advocacy. This year’s session was a roundtable discussion on incorporating fun at work and included a lively conversation that underscored the importance of joy and well-being in high-pressure careers. It featured wellness initiatives like the Stop the Clock program in Chaska, Minnesota, and friendly intercity competitions such as the “Battle of the Burbs” among Eden Prairie, Edina, and Plymouth—programs that foster camaraderie and employee engagement.

A crucial component to this committee’s success is the understanding that advancing women in the profession isn’t the work of women alone. Men play an essential role as allies, mentors, and advocates. Their participation in committee efforts and presence at events like Coffee and Careers sends a strong message that gender equity is a shared goal—one that benefits organizations, teams, and communities alike.

At its core, the committee’s work echoes the SheLeadsGov vision: creating inclusive environments that make space for women to lead, grow, and thrive. This includes pushing past the traditional constraints of mentorship and work-life balance to redefine what professional success looks like in today’s municipal world. By investing in connection—through a casual coffee chat or a meaningful forum—the committee reinforces a culture where women can show up authentically, advocate boldly, and support each other fully.

In Minnesota and beyond, the message is clear: when women in government support each other, everyone benefits. Programs like Coffee and Careers prove that leadership development doesn’t always require a formal workshop or a conference badge; it can begin with an invitation to talk, share, and grow. Together we are building a more inclusive, more supportive, and a more effective local government profession.

RENEE EISENBEISZ is assistant city manager of Shoreview, Minnesota, USA.