Ramirez selected as finalist for 2024 Leadership Trailblazer Award

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Brownsville City Manager Helen Ramirez has been selected as a Top Ten finalist for the 2024 Leadership Trailblazer Award.

The award is given out by the National League of Women in Government in association with Polco.

The Leadership Trailblazer Award recognizes an accomplished woman, working in local government, who is an exceptional leader and who empowers others in local government.

The 2024 Leadership Trailblazer Award winner will be announced at the Women’s #SheLeadsGov luncheon on Monday, September 23rd, in conjunction with the ICMA Annual National Conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Announcing the finalists, League President Susan Thorpe said: “Of the amazing nominees from across the country, the judges felt these ten finalists best captured the spirit of the award. Being recognized as a Top 10 Finalist is a wonderful tribute to these remarkable leaders.”

Nominations for the Leadership Trailblazer Award were submitted primarily by local government professionals who wanted to see a dedicated colleague recognized nationally. A panel of judges from LWG and Polco reviewed each nomination and selected the top ten finalists.

The ten finalists for the 2024 Leadership Trailblazer Award.

This year’s winner will be inducted into the League of Women in Government Hall of Fame alongside 2023 winner Valemarie Turner, deputy city manager, Fairfax, VA, 2022 winner Anne Marie Gaura, town manager, Lincolnwood, Illinois, 2020 winner Vanessa Donovan Hale, assistant town administrator, Southborough, Massachusetts; 2019 winner Lori Sassoon, city manager of Norco, California; and 2018 winner. Opal Mauldin-Jones, city manager of Lancaster, Texas.

Brownsville reaction

Ramirez said she was honored to be recognized by the National League of Women in Government.

Ramirez said: “I am deeply honored and grateful to be named a finalist for the 2024 Leadership Trailblazer Award. This recognition is a testament to our ONE CITY approach to local government where collaboration, innovation and organized culture work seamlessly to accelerate success. I am truly thankful for this recognition and encourage more women to move into government and change our field in bold ways.”

Brownsville Mayor John Cowen, Jr., said the recognition is well deserved.

“Ms. Ramirez’ recognition as a Top 10 finalist for this award underscores her exceptional dedication and visionary leadership in our community,” Cowen said, “This prestigious nomination is a further testament to her impactful contributions and the progressive strides we are achieving together in Brownsville. I am proud of her work.”

About Helen Ramirez

Ramirez, ICMA-CM, AICP, has over 20 years of municipal planning experience which includes ten years of private sector experience managing complex and high profile economic development projects both in the United States and internationally, including the award-winning Los Angeles Air Force Base $115 million New Space and Missile Command Center Redevelopment Project.  

Helen Ramirez

Ramirez holds a Bachelors Degree in City and Regional Planning from the California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California and is an American Institute of Certified Planner (AICP) professional. 
 
She is also a member of the Texas City Management Association, International City/County Management Association, International Council of Shopping Centers, American Institute of Certified Planners and American Planning Association. 

Ramirez has been instrumental in enhancing digital literacy and minimizing the digital divide in Brownsville in a public-private project with Lit Fiber. It is called BTX. She has also been praised for accelerating economic growth, downtown redevelopment, overhauling development codes, preparing the City’s first Mobility Transportation Plan and Capital Recovery Fee, and strengthening the City of Brownsville’s organizational culture.

“She continues to lead the municipality of Brownsville and its workforce of more than 1,200 employees toward a ONE CITY approach, where the City is creating partnerships and collaborations with external agencies to realize Brownsville to its fullest potential,” a press release from the City of Brownsville states.

“She continues to strengthen the City’s economy, creating employment opportunities for its intergenerational workforce, building upon the City Commission’s Strategic Vision that values Quality of Life and vibrancy, while creating a legacy for generations to come.”

About the National League of Women in Government

The League of Women in Government was founded in 2015 and is the only national group representing women in local government. The League serves as the umbrella organization for state and regional groups that support local and statewide initiatives that advance women to local government leadership. The League’s objective is to move the needle forward on the number of women serving at the most senior and executive levels in local government.

An image from the National League of Women in Government website.

The League of Women in Government’s mission is to support local and statewide organizations that advance women in local government senior executive leadership.

The group seeks to support, educate, mentor, and encourage women in government by:

• Providing information and data to show public officials the value of gender balance & gender diversity in local government leadership;
• Strengthening relationships between local government groups supporting women; and
• Providing local government women leadership and professional development opportunities via grants and scholarships.

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