City Councilors selected for National League of Cities roles

National League of Cities has been advocating for local governance for 100 years

Broken Arrow City Council is making an impact nationally with Mayor Debra Wimpee and Ward 2 Councilor Lisa Ford each being appointed to serve significant roles within the National League of Cities organization.

The National League of Cities (NLC) is the voice of America’s cities, towns, and villages, representing more than 200 million people across the United States. Their mission for the last 100 years has been strengthening local leadership, influencing federal policy, and driving innovative solutions.

Mayor Debra Wimpee

Mayor Wimpee, who has served as Broken Arrow’s mayor since 2021, was selected to serve as one of 14 leaders from across the country on the National League of Cities Board of Directors for a two-year term.

“I’m honored to be appointed to serve on the National League of Cities Board of Directors, and I look forward to collaborating with my counterparts from across the nation to improve the lives of our constituents through effective advocacy for local governments,” Wimpee said. “This is an opportunity for Broken Arrow to have a voice in setting a national policy agenda in keeping with our community’s principled leadership.”

Councilor Lisa Ford

Councilor Lisa Ford, who was first elected to the Broken Arrow City Council in 2021, was appointed to serve in two constituency groups. This year, at the NLC’s 2024 City Summit in Tampa, Florida, Ford was appointed to serve as the First Vice President of the Women in Municipal Government and will bring their conference to Broken Arrow in 2026. And in 2023, she was selected to be a part of the Leadership Circle for the Local Indigenous Leaders.

“It is a privilege for me to serve in this capacity advocating for women in municipal government and as a part of the Local Indigenous Leaders Leadership Circle within the National League of Cities,” Ford said. “As someone who worked for the City of Broken Arrow for more than 20 years as the Crime Prevention Specialist before my election to City Council and as a citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, I believe I can bring a unique perspective in serving both groups. Most of all, I look forward to learning from my colleagues from across the nation on how local government can better serve women and Indigenous people.”

Broken Arrow is fortunate to have dynamic leadership with people that are making an impact not only locally, but nationally as well. Congratulations Mayor Debra Wimpee and Councilor Lisa Ford on your appointments in the National League of Cities.