Noble for mayor: Even Harvard recognizes her
On March 6, Santa Fe voters will decide who will lead the city for the next four years. The smorgasbord field of five candidates offers something for everyone to consider when making a final choice. Which of these five candidates has the qualifications and vision to lead the city forward?
One candidate has done much to help entrepreneurs and, in fact, led a team that won an award from Harvard University for its efforts. You probably think you know the person I am talking about along with their accomplishments. But did you know that in 2009 during the recession, this person obtained the backing to start a local networking event program that connects talented people with businesses? It was an overwhelming success, and the events continue to this day.
Next, in 2013, this person raised funds, gathered the people and began a business startup competition that included mentoring to help local entrepreneurs realize their dream. More than 50 business startups have participated in this event with several building established businesses. Recognizing that new business startups could use more in-depth mentoring and a guidance program, in 2015 this same person launched a business accelerator program to help young businesses connect, learn and grow.
So who is this person? This person who can respond to community needs, manage to work with entrepreneurs, businesses, governments and individuals to accomplish so much with so little. Who is this person who has demonstrated a managerial talent for enabling people to do their best? Well, you guessed it; it’s Kate Noble. Wait, you didn’t think of Kate, you thought of that other guy. Well, shame on you for not looking a little deeper.
In 2015, Kate and her team won a Bright Ideas award from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. She is the only candidate for mayor who has been recognized for such an accomplishment. Kate’s approach to foster new business ideas and grow them into real businesses was a significant step forward for Santa Fe. MIX Santa Fe, bizMIX, The Velocity Project and Make Santa Fe were all due to Kate’s efforts. Maybe you recognize a few of the businesses that resulted from one of these programs: Paper Dosa, New Mexico Hard Cider, Designs of Erika, Cheesemongers of Santa Fe and Reunity Resources, to name a few.
In November 2015, Kate facilitated the city’s initial investment into Meow Wolf of $60,000. That investment enabled Meow Wolf to do workforce training for advanced manufacturing equipment used to open the House of Eternal Return.
Born and raised in Santa Fe, Kate is a Columbia University graduate; she worked at the BBC for 10 years doing everything from producing to anchoring the World Business Report. Kate then came back to Santa Fe and worked in city government for nine years in economic and community development. Also during this time, Kate led a city budget restructuring team in 2008 to help Santa Fe through the tough times. Next, she turned to help all local businesses by facilitating a citywide broadband upgrade, enabling high-speed internet for all.
I have known Kate for nine years. She is a good listener, a strong-willed leader, pragmatic and optimistic. She is not snobbish, nor does she pretend to know more than you do. To me, she is not a typical politician, but someone who cares deeply about our community. What is most impressive is her track record of getting things done and moving forward. That’s why Kate Noble has my support for mayor.