Edmonton’s City Council boasts a significant number of strong female leaders, each making a vital contribution to the city’s growth and future. We take a closer look at some of Edmonton’s prominent women politicians on edmonton-yes.com.
Erin Rutherford
Erin Rutherford has served as the Edmonton City Councillor for Ward Anirniq since October 2021. Born and raised in Alberta, she has called Edmonton home for over 25 years. With 15 years of experience in the public sector, Erin has been an active driver of change alongside local communities. Before her political career, her work focused on building thriving neighbourhoods and collaborating with diverse community groups. Rutherford has been involved in numerous projects, including positive development for children and youth, supporting seniors, and addressing homelessness.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Human Geography, as well as a Master’s degree in Community Development. Her community involvement includes several volunteer board positions focused on fundraising, programming, and social issues. During her first term, Councillor Rutherford was appointed to the boards of REACH (Edmonton’s Council for Safety), the Edmonton Women’s Advisory Council, the ETS Advisory Board, the Canadian Urban Transit Association, and the Mayor’s Task Force for Housing and Homelessness.
Keren Tang
Keren Tang proudly represents Ward Karhiio in southwest Edmonton. She is a dedicated public health advocate, community organizer, and urban planner. Keren is passionate about civic engagement, advocating for local community interests, and working with diverse organizations to foster more connected neighbourhoods. Prior to entering politics, Tang worked across the public, private, and non-profit sectors, focusing on urban well-being and civic participation while collaborating with communities across North America. She has also served on the boards of the Edmonton Community Foundation and the North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society.
As a City Councillor, Keren has served on the Accessibility Advisory Committee and the Alberta Municipalities Board. She has championed long-term investments in violence prevention and strengthened Edmonton’s local economy through initiatives like the redevelopment of the Edmonton Research Park.
Ashley Salvador
Ashley Salvador is a politician with extensive experience working across sectors on projects related to affordable housing, economic development, social policy, and seniors’ housing. She holds an Honours Bachelor’s degree in Sustainability and Sociology from Dalhousie University. Born and raised in Edmonton, Ashley is a strong proponent of sustainable urban development with over a decade of experience in municipal affairs. Salvador is the founder of a non-profit organization and has served on the board of the Edmonton Social Planning Council. Before her election to City Council, Ashley worked with the Alberta Municipal Affairs Department and the University of Alberta’s Office of Sustainability.
Now in her second term on Council, having first been elected in 2021, she is actively promoting initiatives focused on affordable housing, climate policy, neighbourhood revitalization, and public transit. Salvador spearheaded the creation of a new Renewal Reserve Fund and backed the implementation of a comprehensive toolkit to address vacant and derelict properties. In her free time, Ashley enjoys cycling, hiking, and cross-country skiing in Edmonton’s river valley. She considers it a great honour to serve the city, aiming to build a safe, healthy, and prosperous Edmonton.
Anne Stevenson
Anne Stevenson was born and raised right here in Edmonton. After high school, she spent 10 years abroad, dedicating her time to studying, working, and travelling. Stevenson earned a Bachelor’s degree in International Development and Economics from Trent University. She then pursued a Master’s degree in Urban Design at the London School of Economics, launching her career in urban planning in the United Kingdom. After five years overseas, Anne moved to Vancouver, where she worked in industrial land-use planning for the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority.
In 2012, Anne returned to Edmonton to take on a role with the municipality. She was elected to the City Council in October 2021. Anne is passionate about creating an equitable city that truly serves all residents.
Jo-Anne Wright
Jo-Anne Wright is an Edmonton native who has dedicated her life to community engagement, volunteering with local organizations, including the Meadows Community League board. Wright holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management and Labour Relations. Before her election to City Council, she spent the majority of her career in the financial services sector. Since 2021, Jo-Anne has been re-elected to the Audit Committee and serves on the Utility Committee Advisory Board. She also represents Edmonton as a committee member for the Inter-City Forum on Social Policy.
Wright is committed to connecting with residents to bring their perspectives forward to City Council. As an active participant in community events both in and outside her ward, she enjoys learning about the diverse organizations and cultures that make up our society. Her work priorities include public safety, investing in core services, fiscal stability, and responsible neighbourhood development.
Karen Principe
Karen Principe moved to Edmonton from Toronto in 1998. From her earliest days in the city, she became actively involved in the local community, volunteering at the Kilkenny Playschool and several schools. Karen is an alumna of the University of Manitoba, the University of Winnipeg, and Durham College, and began her career as a Registered Dental Hygienist in 1998. She has worked in both private practice and as an instructor in the Dental Assisting Program at NAIT, offering free dental services to those in need. In the past, she pursued her passion for dentistry abroad, highlighting a week-long dental mission to Peru as a memorable experience.
Karen loves soccer, enjoys cooking for family and friends, and has taken wine courses with an aspiration to become a sommelier. She is deeply invested in and an active leader within the local community. Karen has been honoured to serve as an advisor for the Edmonton Arts Council and as a board member for the Edmonton Public Library. Since 2021, Principe has served on the Edmonton City Council, where all her initiatives are aimed at benefiting the community.
Touria “Twu” Parmer
Touria Parmer is an Edmonton City Councillor who previously held the role of Vice President of the Canadian Red Cross in Alberta. Parmer has been highly engaged in public life, holding numerous positions on local boards. She brings a wealth of experience in business and community development, which she skillfully utilizes to make Edmonton a better place to live, work, and play. Parmer was elected as the Councillor for Ward Decoteau in 2021.