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Podcast Episode

On Being Mayor of Chapel Hill, NC with Jess Anderson

The Public Service Project··20 September 2026·46 min

About this episode

Jess Anderson is Mayor of Chapel Hill.Many know her as a public policy analyst, a Professor, a Mom, a wife, a friend, etc. but she's also the child of two clinical psychologists. After her own little demi-rebellion in high school, she tapped into her innate curiosity about people (again, psychologist parents!) and decided to explore how systems make life better or worse. Listen in for highlights from the journey, insights into the job of being mayor (spoiler: collaboration is mandatory, and failure to pass a budget is not an option), and reflections on career and life and being many things to many people - especially as a Mom.You'll leave this one wanting Jess to be your friend.