Mayor Caroline Simmons Stamford Plus Article

*Co-written by Rachel LaBella

At the time of this letter, it’s been just over a week since I was sworn-in as the 32nd Mayor of Stamford. In my first correspondence with Stamford Plus, I want to take the time to introduce myself and share more about my background and vision for this incredible city. I am humbled and honored to serve as your Mayor and to work collaboratively with our community to create lasting change and will make Stamford a city where everyone can live, work, raise a family, and retire.

My Background

After graduating in 2008 with a degree in Government from Harvard University, I served in several roles in the United States Department of Homeland Security including Special Assistant in the Office of the Secretary, a Policy Analyst in the Office of the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia, and as a Director of Special Projects in the Counterterrorism Coordinator’s Office. In these roles, I supported DHS’s domestic and international counterterrorism programs, as well as assisted in providing active shooter awareness and response training for state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement officers. I also provided budgetary assistance for the DHS team in Kabul, Afghanistan and traveled to the area several times in that capacity.

In 2014, I returned to Connecticut and had the privilege of being elected to represent Stamford’s 144th house district in the Connecticut House of Representatives. During my second term, I was appointed co-chair of the Commerce Committee and successfully introduced, led debate, and helped pass over 16 bipartisan business bills. I helped pass legislation to provide grants and capital access to young entrepreneurs, women and minority-owned businesses, and small business owners. I was also a member of the Higher Education and Employment and Human Services Committee.

Recently, I also worked for an extension of Yale University’s School of Medicine at Elevate: A Policy Lab to Elevate Mental Health and Disrupt Poverty. In this role, I focused on maternal mental health policies. Now more than ever, greater mental health awareness is critical and I look forward to bringing more attention to this issue as mayor. As a proud wife and mother to two amazing boys Teddy and Jack, I believe every woman should have access to critical post-natal resources.

My First Days & Policy Initiatives

Shortly after Election Day and prior to being sworn in, I announced ten transition team policy committees, comprised of leaders across various sectors in our community, who were tasked with crafting preliminary policy recommendations for my administration. These include:

Economic Development, Infrastructure and Environmental Resiliency, Citizen Services, Education, Affordability and Housing, Public Safety, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Public Health, Veterans’ Affairs, and Workforce Development. I am grateful to have their input and partnership as we look forward and think of innovative policies and critical issues to address in my first year in office and beyond.

Since taking office, my team has hit the ground running by meeting with department heads and city workers, solidifying my cabinet, and outlining a strategic vision for my first 100 days in office. As Mayor, my priorities are focused on improving our aging infrastructure, securing more state and federal funding to put toward education, economic growth and prosperity, tackling the affordability crisis, and creating a more responsive, transparent, and representative government. I am honored to serve you in this role and will work every day to ensure we have a city government that serves, listens, and collaborates with all Stamford residents to make positive change for our city.