Councilmember Ashley Vanorny Reappointed to National League of Cities Board of Directors

Councilmember Ashley Vanorny was reappointed to the National League of Cities' (NLC) Board of Directors at NLC's Annual Business Meeting during the City Summit in Salt Lake City, Utah, on November 22, 2025. The Summit brings municipal leaders together to set policy priorities and conduct official business. The organization's Board of Directors provides strategic leadership, shaping priorities, advocacy efforts, and national engagement.

"I am honored to serve again on the NLC Board of Directors, representing Cedar Rapids and communities across Iowa on the national stage," said Vanorny. "Iowa's cities differ in size and challenges; this role gives me the opportunity to make sure the voices of Cedar Rapids and communities across our great state are heard in national conversations."

In this position, Vanorny will continue guiding the League's strategic objectives, including federal advocacy, leadership-development programs, and initiatives that strengthen local governments nationwide - emphasizing the role local leaders play in connecting municipal innovation and policy to broader national conversations.

Vanorny's work with NLC complements her leadership in Iowa, where she serves as President of the Iowa League of Cities, holds CEMO certification, and participates in civic and leadership organizations, including the Area Ambulance Board of Directors, the Linn County Community Health Needs Assessment, and as Board Secretary for the Smithsonian-affiliated National Czech and Slovak Museum. Her experiences sharing Cedar Rapids' resiliency in the wake of major floods and the 2020 Derecho have helped shape disaster-recovery lobbying efforts, inform best practices, and illustrate the long-term realities of local recovery.

Her experience serving on the Foster Care Review Board and background in healthcare have strengthened her understanding of how federal policy, government shutdowns, and other systemic challenges affect residents. This perspective informs her efforts to elevate Cedar Rapids and Iowa voices, reinforcing the importance of local leadership in shaping policies and practices that reach beyond city limits.

About the National League of Cities
The National League of Cities (NLC) is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to strengthening local government by advocating for municipal priorities on the federal level, providing education and leadership development, and serving as a resource and network for city leaders nationwide.