A Conversation with Local Government Icon: Corri Spiegel, ICMA Midwest Regional Vice President

By Pamela Antil, City Manager, Encinitas, CA

This interview is the first in the League’s “Icons in Local Government” series. In this edition, the League caught up with Corri Spiegel, the Regional Vice President representing the Midwest on the ICMA board. In this article, Corri reflects on her board service, the value of mentors, and a cow named Bridget. 

Q: You’re entering the last few months of your ICMA Board service. What are you most proud of achieving during your time on the Board?

As I reflect, there isn’t a single initiative or action that stands out more than the collective work of the board. As a 21-person body, with 33% of the group turning over annually, being able to successfully work together to achieve goals is an incredibly remarkable thing. What I am most grateful for is the profound respect the board members have for each other. We have been able to have thoughtful, intense, and productive conversations leading to decisions that will have a lasting positive impact on how ICMA serves the local government management profession.

Corri Spiegel, ICMA Midwest Regional Vice President

There have been lots of articles about the value of mentors, as well as advocates and sponsors in women’s careers. Who has been an advocate, mentor, or sponsor for you, and how did they help you in your career?

Throughout a more than twenty-year public-sector career, there have been so many! I started my career in the private sector, and my boss was so gracious when I accepted my first public sector job. I remember him being so proud of me and encouraging me about where he thought my career could go. Since that time, I’ve worked for several amazing department heads and city managers. The characteristic that the most impactful leaders share is a belief in the growth mindset. They understood that not everything works out perfectly and that those mistakes were important opportunities for learning and growth. That foundation also served as the basis for countless courageous conversations. Sometimes the hardest ones to hear were the most impactful to my growth as a professional.

What are you most proud of achieving in your career?

The easy answer is all of the economic development projects because that was my initial career path. But the real answer is being able to play a role in the growth and development of so many talented people. Watching people grow through positions and functional areas into tremendous leaders is such an amazing thing to be part of. Our profession needs to embrace creative disruptors now more than ever!

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Be unapologetic when it comes to protecting your health and well-being.
Realistically, my younger self probably wouldn’t listen, but I’ve learned over the past year that regaining your health is much harder than maintaining it. Part of that is also accepting that not everyone deserves to be part of your life outside of work, which is completely ok.

What are 3 Fast Facts about Corri?

1. I grew up on a dairy farm and had a pet cow named Bridget.
2. I have zero shame about my “Top 1%” Taylor Swift listener status.
3. I’m on the home stretch of a Doctor of Business Administration program and I look forward to sharing my dissertation research.

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