Elected in 2013 as mayor of Ohio’s sixth largest city, Dayton’s Nan Whaley has helped lead an economic resurgence in Montgomery County while unexpectedly becoming a national voice on the issue of gun reform following a mass shooting in her city in the summer of 2019.

Her career is distinguished by her commitment to public service, civic involvement and interest in local government. First elected to the Dayton City Commission in 2005, Whaley was the youngest woman ever chosen for a commission seat. Elected as Dayton’s mayor in 2013 by a double-digit majority, she has focused on the areas of community development, manufacturing, and women and children.

Whaley is a national leader among her peers serving as the Second Vice President for the US Conference of Mayors as well as the Chair of the International Committee for the conference. She is also a founding board member for the Ohio’s Mayor Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of Ohio’s 30 largest cities.

Whaley has been committed to the political process in local, state and national elections. While in college, she served as Ohio Chair of the College Democrats. She currently serves as Second Vice President of the National Conference of Democratic Mayors. Additionally, she is a four time delegate to the Democratic National Convention.