Shireen Mears

Shireen Mears has worked in community development and public service for over 20 years. She is passionate about engaging and connecting people and believes that through meaningful relationships and involvement in the places we live and love, our city and region will become healthier and more vibrant for everyone. Shireen obtained BA and MA degrees in leisure studies (University of Calgary, 1998 and Loughborough (UK), Deusto (ES), Tilburg (NL), and Free University Brussels (B), 1999). She has also completed a certificate of first line management (2009), a project management foundation course (2007), a community-based research and evaluation certificate (2012), and agile projext management (2022). Prior to returning to Edmonton with her family in September 2009, Shireen lived and worked in the UK for 11 years as a community regeneration professional. For over 6 years she was Principal Regeneration Officer (Corby Borough Council) managing a large staff team including new community facilities, children and youth, voluntary sector, external funding and grants, sports development, health, older people, and heritage. From 2010 to 2018 Shireen worked with many local not for profits on a number of community development contracts, specializing in early childhood development. Now at the City of Edmonton, Shireen is a Project Manager, in the Service Review and Improvement team supporting business areas with continuous improvement and change management. Prior to this she worked as a Management Supervisor in Neighbourhood Services, combining her strong leadership skills with her community development roots. In 2021 Shireen was a finalist in the City's Cultural Commitments Awards for Intergration. Shireen is also an avid volunteer, gardener, and lover of local food.