Meet Mandy Samwell

Born in Brantford, Mandy has been shaped by this community, its people, and working together to make a difference.

She and her husband raised their family in Eagle Place, where years of volunteering, leadership, and a career in healthcare inspired her to make an even greater impact by serving her city at City Hall.

Mandy built her career in healthcare, most recently in public health, developing programs, connecting people with supports, and building partnerships. That experience gave her firsthand insight into the challenges facing individuals, families, and neighbourhoods, and continues to influence the way she leads today.

Mandy believes the people closest to a challenge are often the people closest to the solution.

That belief continues to guide her work every day.

Community Roots

For more than fifteen years, Mandy volunteered alongside neighbours, schools, businesses, non-profit organizations, healthcare professionals, and first responders to strengthen neighbourhoods and improve quality of life.

Her leadership includes serving as:

President of the Eagle Place Community Association.
Chair of the Neighbourhood Alliance of Brantford.
Co-Chair of the Brant Food System Coalition, a role she continues to hold today.

She also:

Co-Led the community campaign that secured the support and funding needed to bring the Tutela Park Splash Pad to life.
Built partnerships, leveraged funding, and made the most of limited resources to deliver lasting neighbourhood improvements.
Established the Neighbourhood Alliance of Brantford's Safe Communities.
Founded Get Fit Eagle Place, encouraging healthy living and stronger community connections.
Organized neighbourhood initiatives promoting healthy living, food security, and community connection.

When Mandy was elected to City Council in 2022, she brought years of leadership and collaboration with her to City Hall. While she offered a fresh perspective, she was already experienced in bringing people together, working collaboratively, making the most of limited resources, and turning ideas into action.

Leading Through Action

Strengthening Local Government

Established Brantford's Community Involvement Framework as official City policy after working with residents on the Public Consultation Task Force to strengthen it.
Improved Council committee procedures to encourage more open discussion and collaboration.
Led Brantford's support for stronger provincial accountability standards for municipally elected officials, adding the City's voice to a province-wide call for safer, more respectful workplaces.

Safe, Healthy & Affordable Communities

Led Council's declaration of a Food Insecurity Emergency and the development of Brantford's Community Food Action Plan.
Initiated a review of emergency shelter services, leading to system enhancements and the development of a Good Neighbour Policy.
Strengthened the City's approach to vacant and derelict buildings and their impacts on neighbourhoods.
Helped advance Community Watch, with Ward 5 becoming the City's pilot and laying the foundation for expansion across Brantford. City's pilot and laying the foundation for expansion across Brantford.
Advanced Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) improvements for downtown public spaces, strengthening safety and accessibility.
Led Brantford's call to remove the provincial gas tax on home heating to improve affordability.
Introduced Brantford's Gender-Based Violence in Public Spaces initiative to raise awareness and improve access to support.
Partnered with schools, parents, Public Health, and City staff through Safe Routes to School to improve student safety and encourage active transportation.
Responding to community advocacy, secured a new adult crossing guard at Princess Elizabeth School and an additional crossing guard at Bellview School, improving safety for students and families.
Advanced traffic calming improvements across Brantford, including in the Eagle Place and Murray Street areas.

Supporting Local Business & Downtown Revitalization

Led the establishment of Brantford's Vandalism Prevention and Restoration Grant Program, helping businesses, non-profit organizations, and faith communities recover from vandalism and invest in crime prevention measures.
Led the initiative to establish support for businesses and the Brantford Farmers' Market vendors during major downtown construction, helping them continue to succeed while Brantford invests in its downtown.
Worked alongside the Downtown Brantford BIA, businesses, and community partners to advance beautification, activation, and community events, including new initiatives like the Garage Urban Night Market.
Partnered with the Brantford-Brant Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Brantford BIA, businesses, entrepreneurs, industry, and community partners to support economic development, encourage investment, and celebrate local business across Brantford.

Staying Connected

Mandy believes the best decisions are made by staying connected to the community, listening to residents, and being present where people live, work, and gather. She puts that belief into practice by:

Making time to connect with residents through ward meetings, Coffee with a Councillor, neighbourhood association and community group meetings, neighbourhood visits, and ongoing conversations.
Remaining visible in the community by attending local events, supporting neighbourhood organizations, and building relationships across Brantford.
Keeping residents informed through newsletters, videos, social media, and regular community updates.
Introducing Elect Respect, encouraging respectful leadership and healthier public dialogue in municipal government.

Leadership & Service

Mandy serves in leadership roles that help guide Brantford's most important community priorities.

Chair, Brantford Police Services Board, Chair, Brantford Police Services Board, providing civilian governance and strategic oversight of the Brantford Police Service.
Chair, Social Services Committee, leading the joint City and County committee overseeing housing, homelessness, and social services.
Downtown Revitalization Champion, providing leadership, communication, and advocacy throughout one of Brantford's largest infrastructure projects while supporting downtown businesses and building confidence in downtown's future.
Co-Chair, Brant Food System Coalition, bringing together community partners to strengthen local food security.
Created new opportunities for students from Wilfrid Laurier University and Seneca College to gain hands-on experience in municipal government while mentoring the next generation of community leaders.

She also serves on:

Nova Vita Safe at Home Committee
John Noble Home Committee of Management
Brantford Public Library Board
Downtown Brantford BIA Board of Management
Environmental Sustainability Policy Advisory Committee
Brant Waterways Foundation
Heritage Committee
Brant Historical Society
Town & Gown Committee

For Mandy, public service has always been about people. She believes the best ideas begin by listening, meaningful change comes from working together, and communities grow stronger when people are part of the solution. That's the same people-first approach Mandy will bring as Mayor of Brantford.