12 13 Advancing Women Conference Fall/Winter 2025 | East involved. Cathy says she began to understand that she is most effective when she aligns her efforts with causes that match her principles. When she speaks from her values, she gains trust, and people believe in her message. Cathy emphasized that leadership is defined by action. People remember what leaders do far more than what they say. Her leadership has been shaped by her own experiences and by learning from the experiences of others. Each challenge, conversation, and decision helps her grow. These moments inform us of the choices she makes for her community. Over time, her question changed. Instead of asking “Why me?” she began asking “Why not me?” This shift in thinking gave her a deeper understanding of her abilities and her purpose. Cathy encouraged other people in the room to do the same. “Because of your circumstances, your experiences, and your strengths, why not you? You are already contributing to your community. You may already be leading in ways you do not realize—through your work, your family, your volunteer roles, or your dedication to helping others.” She reminded the audience that stepping into leadership takes courage. She acknowledged Anne Miners presentation about GRIT the day before (see page 6). She said GRIT is not only needed in agriculture, but also in politics. “Women in agriculture use grit, gumption, and grace every day.” Those same qualities make strong leaders in public life and community roles. She encouraged AWC East attendees to consider how their talents, experiences, and perseverance can shape their community in meaningful ways. She also stressed the importance of being approachable. She is active on social media and welcomes conversations about leadership and political journeys. Despite the challenges people often talk about in politics, she insists it has been one of the best decisions of her life. Every time she drives down the main street of her community, she feels proud knowing she will leave it better than she found it. She shared that the sense of her contribution to her community is her greatest reward. Cathy reminded everyone that leadership is not reserved for a select few. It belongs to anyone willing to care, work hard, and stand up for their community. For every person wondering whether they are capable, she offers the same encouragement she once received: If not you, then who? If not now, then when? “Believe in yourself. Trust your abilities. Lead with purpose. And always ask—not ‘Why me?’ but ‘Why not me? Raised in a family where service to your community was an expectation, Burghardt-Jesson has spent a lifetime living up to those values and giving back to the people around her. She shared her journey and her leadership message with attendees at the AWC East 2025. First elected to municipal council in 2010 as the Deputy Mayor of Lucan Biddulph, Cathy Burghardt-Jesson has passionately served the residents of her community for over a decade. Since 2014, Burghardt-Jesson has served as Mayor of Lucan Biddulph. Of particular note, between the years of 2014 and 2023, she fought to further the well-being of families in rural Ontario as a Councillor and the Warden of Middlesex County. She now continues her service to Middlesex County as Deputy Warden. Cathy began by sharing details about her life beyond politics. She is a mother, a wife, a swimmer, a yoga enthusiast, and a dedicated Bruce Springsteen fan. These personal elements remind us that leaders are regular people with hobbies, families, and everyday responsibilities. She reminded everyone that her identity is shaped not only by her role in municipal governance, but also by the many other roles she plays in her community and home. Raised in a family where service to your community was an expectation, Burghardt-Jesson has spent a lifetime living up to those values and giving back to the people around her. She shared her journey and her leadership message with attendees at the AWC East 2025. Cathy says that leadership often begins in the most ordinary moments of our lives. Many people step into leadership not because they planned for it, but because their experiences, values, and communities gently guided them forward. Every person has something meaningful to offer. Cathy’s message was simple and straightforward: leadership is not about perfection or grand achievements; it is about showing up, giving your best, and being open to possibilities. Growing up, she was taught the importance of community service. Her parents instilled in her a strong commitment to help others and be involved. She says it shaped her values early in life. She became a hockey volunteer, later becoming the first female president of her minor hockey association. She also coached baseball and frequently helped with community events. These experiences taught her teamwork, responsibility, and the joy of contributing to something bigger than herself. Her shift toward municipal politics began in 2009 when people started asking her if she had considered running for council. She shared a shocking statistic: women often need to be asked five or six times to run for office, before they actually consider running for office. This is in contrast to men who usually only need to be asked only once. She shared this so that attendees could reflect on the doubts many women feel even when they are fully capable. She experienced the same hesitation. Each time someone asked her, she responded with “Why me?” She wondered what she could offer and whether she was truly the right person. But over time, the repeated encouragement made her rethink. She realized that leadership does not require being extraordinary. It requires caring, commitment, and the willingness to learn. She discovered that her experiences, values, and dedication to her community made her more prepared than she thought. Through her years in municipal governance, she learned that leadership is not about speaking the loudest. It is about creating an environment where people feel included and supported. When leaders encourage participation and treat others with respect, people naturally want to be “Women often need to be asked five or six times to run for office, before they actually consider running for office. This is in contrast to men who usually only need to be asked only once.” THE JOY OF CONTRIBUTING TO SOMETHING BIGGER THAN YOURSELF WHY NOT ME? CAREER GUIDE FOOD & AGRICULTURE PROFESSIONAL Empowering Experienced Professionals to Thrive! 2026 Edition of the AgCareers’ Food & Agriculture Career Guide for Experienced Professionals Now Available. CLICK HERE to view the Food & Agriculture Professional Career Guide Explore www.AgCareers.com now! Luca/stock.adobe.com Cathy Burghardt-Jesson
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