Curious about City Council, but not really sure what to expect? We’ll walk you through the roles and responsibilities for a member of City Council to find out what the job is really like and how to impact your community by serving at the city level. You’ll hear from three amazing women who share their experiences running for City Council, as well as their roles and responsibilities. Find out exactly what they do and how they are organized.

Learn about:

  • How they got started
  • Types of City Councils
  • Positions on a City Council
  • City Council Legislation
  • Salary and Expectations

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Meet Your Speakers

Catherine Emmanuelle, Eau Claire City Council Member

Catherine-Emmanuelle-photo1Catherine Emmanuelle graduated cum laude from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Women’s Studies and Economics. During her undergraduate years, she participated in VoteRunLead’s Go Run training, where she learned how to run her first campaign for city council. She lost that race by 300 votes but didn’t let the setback deter her from building her leadership. She kept her hat in the ring and was appointed to the city council in 2012, then elected in 2013. Catherine represents over 66,000 people as an at-large member on the Eau Claire City Council. Notably, she is the first Latina elected in her community. Through the Volume One magazine, Catherine was voted as one of the top “favorite local elected officials” from 2013 thru 2015, and in 2014 was voted as the #1 “best community advocate.” Catherine serves on the board of directors for VisitEau Claire, and on the City of Eau Claire appointments committee, economic policy advisory committee and affirmative action committee. Catherine was a recipient of the 2013 University of WisconsinSystemOutstanding Women of Color in Education award. Catherine went on to earn a Master of Advocacy and Leadership from the University of Minnesota-Duluth. In addition to her elected position, she works as an educator for the University of Wisconsin-Extension in Trempealeau County, where she partners with organizations to build family resiliency through complex social issues, such as incarceration, immigration, and leadership development. Building community resilience is a praxis of her life experiences, scholarship and research combined. Catherine’s scholarly work and civic contributions have been published in the Leader-Telegram, Feminist Teacher, Volume One, The Shriver Report, and MSNBC. Catherine is a VoteRunLead Alumn fromWisconsin Go Run.

Linda Rallo, Alderman, City of Town and Country

LindaRalloLinda Rallo serves as an alderman in the City of Town and Country where she also chairs the finance and the insurance & benefits commission. She also is the executive director of Raise Your Hand for Kids, an organization that focuses on funding opportunities for early childhood health and education in Missouri. Linda has a background in communications and public policy and has previously worked in the Missouri House of Representatives as a staffer. She also currently serves on the board of the Sue Shear Institute for Women in Public Life at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a Master’s degree in Public Policy Administration from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

Emma Pinter, Westminster City Council Member

Emma-PinterEmma Pinter was elected to Westminster City Council in November 2013 with more votes than anyone in the history of Westminster. She is a small-business owner of a small technology company. Emma is passionate about community service and currently serves as the board chair of the Adams County Youth Initiative; Mile High Connects, Advisory Council; Colorado Bar Association, HSMT Committee; and Westminster Chamber of Commerce. She is currently the Westminster City Council liaison to the Inclusivity Task Force; Colorado Municipal League, Policy Committee; and the Special Permits and License Board. Emma also consults on a campaign for the Colorado legislature as well as many municipal races. She has also been on the faculty of Emerge Colorado, Adams County Municipal Race Support, Ingnite Colorado and several small conferences. Recently she has started work as the Head Mom for Colorado Moms Know Best working on Clean Air policy.