Carolyn Coleman

Carolyn Coleman is executive director and CEO of the League of California Cities. She brings decades of experience as a leader and advocate in the public and private sectors. Under her leadership, Cal Cities advances policies to expand and protect local control for cities through education and advocacy that enhance the quality of life for all Californians. She joined Cal Cities in December 2016 after a decade as senior executive and director of federal advocacy with the National League of Cities (NLC) in Washington, D.C. During her tenure at NLC, she oversaw the organization’s advocacy efforts and worked closely with city leaders from across the country and all 49 state municipal leagues to protect and promote local interests before Congress, within the White House, and the courts. Prior to NLC, she was the deputy mayor for the city of Indianapolis, where she led the mayor’s public works, economic and community development, parks and recreation, and neighborhood services initiatives. She previously practiced law and held marketing leadership positions in the private sector. She is also an American Leadership Forum senior fellow and serves on the board of trustees of the University of Indianapolis, as well as the dean’s cabinet at the McGeorge School of Law. She also serves on the California Foundation on the Environment and the Economy Board of Directors, as well as the Public Policy Institute of California’s Statewide Leadership Council. She holds a law degree from Indiana University and an undergraduate degree in business from the University of Kansas.