NACA Celebrates Women’s History Month!
As NACA celebrates Women's History Month in 2025, let’s reflect on the progress women have made in local government and the challenges that remain. This month provides an opportunity for NACA to recognize its own women leaders, who have and continue to pave the way for county administrations across the Nation.
“It is so important to be available to other women who are interested in this career.” — Bridgette Gransden, NACA At-Large Director, Midwest Region
Bridgette M. Gransden, CPA, CGFM, Midland County Administrator/Controller
NACA At-Large Director, Midwest Region
What does it mean to be your county’s first female county administrator?
I am the first female county administrator for Midland County and have held this position since October 2009. Although the number of female county administrators/managers in Michigan is on the rise, we are still a minority in the profession. That is why I feel it is so important to be available to other women who are interested in this career, already working in local government, have aspirations to be in the C-Suite, and to students who may be considering this honorable profession as their career. I aim to be ready to support them when they are ready, be a listening ear when they are both frustrated or excited, and be curious, not judgmental, when they come looking for advice.
When I started at the county in 1994 as the Finance Director, I had been auditing local governments at the CPA firm where I worked and enjoyed the work. After 15 years as Finance Director, and for all intents and purposes, the Assistant County Administrator, I knew I had more to offer. Women bring a unique perspective to these roles. I feel a responsibility to perform my job at an exceptional level to benefit the residents, as well as to shine on a light on what is waiting for the next generation of female leaders in local government.
Monica Nino, NACA Vice President, West Coast Region
Monica Nino, County Administrator, Contra Costa County, California
NACA Regional Vice President, West Coast Region
What kind of support have you received that has made a difference in your career or helped you obtain your current job?
I started in county government in my mid-twenties and worked for three male chief executive officers who became my mentors. Early on they allowed me to take calculated risks, encouraged me to ask “WHY” and supported me when I failed.
I remain excited to go to work every day.
Kaci Fullerton, ICMA Senior Program Manager
NACA Secretariat
What kind of support have you received that has made a difference in your career?
“By taking care of those around you, everything else falls into place” — Kaci Fullerton, NACA Secretariat
One of the most impactful influences on me and my career came from a mentor during my time with the Old Guard. She was my first example of a transformational leader—someone who genuinely cared about her organization, paying attention to every individual within it. She taught me that by taking care of those around you, everything else falls into place. This philosophy has become central to my leadership style, and I strive to embody it in every role.
After transitioning from an Army officer to a Town Clerk, and now to my current position as Senior Program Manager at the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), the support I have received has been crucial to my success. ICMA’s Veterans in Local Government Management Fellowship provided me with an invaluable platform to enter the civilian workforce and introduced me to the complexities of local government. The joy and inspiration I have in this role supporting local government professionals are immeasurable. I feel lucky to be a part of organizations like ICMA and the National Association of County Administrators.
Like many others, I did not reach my current position alone. The continued support from service-oriented individuals I work alongside each day has made a profound difference in my career, helping me to thrive and, in turn, make a meaningful impact on others.
Room for Improvement
Women have made significant progress in local government representation, but there's still room for improvement.
Published research shows that women make up a smaller share of county government officials than they represent in the population. While women make up just over half of the population in counties, they make up only a little over a quarter of those who serve on county councils or county commissions. Women serving as county executives, sheriffs and prosecutors are even rarer. The role of sheriff is especially dominated by men, with women serving in less than 5% of these positions.*
Women only account for 33% of state legislative seats, less than 30% of mayoral positions, and 26% of elected county offices throughout the Nation.**
Like many other characteristics of officials in local government, gender also influences their policy-making. Research has shown that when women are involved in decision-making, policies prioritize community well-being, education, and family needs.* A 2019 study by the United Nations revealed that female leaders in local governments are more likely to invest in public goods and services, which benefit whole communities.*** Women leaders also bring a collaborative and solutions-oriented approach to governance, fostering bipartisan cooperation.”*
As NACA reflects on the contributions women make to local government, also consider how we can actively support their advancement. Whether it’s by mentoring aspiring female leaders, advocating for policies and programs, or creating inclusive spaces for collaboration and growth, each of us has a role to play. By fostering a welcoming environment where women are empowered to lead, we strengthen our communities and ensure more equitable governance for future generations.
*Source: Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation. 2024. “Women are still underrepresented in local government, despite a woman running for president”. Harvard Kennedy School. https://ash.harvard.edu/articles/women-are-still-underrepresented-in-local-government-despite-a-woman-running-for-president/ (Accessed March 10, 2025)
**Source: Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP). 2025. “Current Numbers.” New Brunswick, NJ: Center for American Women and Politics, Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers University-New Brunswick. https://cawp.rutgers.edu/facts/current-numbers (Accessed March 10, 2025)
***Source: United Nations. 2020. “WORLD SURVEY ON THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN DEVELOPMENT”. UN Women. https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/Library/Publications/2019/World-survey-on-the-role-of-women-in-development-2019.pdf? (Accessed March 10, 2025)