Jodi Woffington, Candidate for City Council
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In 2021, WCIA found that fewer than 35% of minorities felt their perspectives were valued in Wyoming. If you were elected to City Council, what would you do to ensure all residents feel their perspectives are valued?
Being heard is the most important step in being valued. As a current Council member, I’ve seen how critical it is not just to listen but to follow through. That means creating real opportunities for residents to engage—like input sessions on Hillcrest School, feedback opportunities during the budget process, or conversations that led to safer crosswalks on our busiest streets. I would continue to expand avenues for participation through committees and targeted forums, but most importantly, I will keep “closing the loop” by showing how feedback shapes decisions. I will also ensure the work of the DEI Task Force continues to move from recommendations into action, with transparent updates to the community. That’s how we build trust and ensure all perspectives truly matter.
Only one third of survey respondents of all backgrounds feel that all residents are treated equally in Wyoming. If elected to City Council what would you do to ensure Wyoming is a community where all residents are respected and treated equally?
Respect and equality start with access. Whether it’s access to safe sidewalks, vibrant community spaces, or City services, everyone should feel that Wyoming belongs to them. I will continue to prioritize equity when we plan investments—making sure improvements are spread throughout the City, not concentrated in one area. Equally important is representation: encouraging diverse residents to serve on commissions, boards, and volunteer projects ensures our policies reflect the whole community.
What will be your top focus on City Council and how have your background, experience and skills prepared you to create change in your focus area?
My top priority is strengthening Wyoming’s infrastructure and investing in our future. In my current term, I helped lead the effort that rebuilt 25% of our roads in a single year, advanced safer crosswalks, and championed community spaces like the new dog park and the Village Green. Looking ahead, I will continue pushing for long-term investments—maintaining roads, expanding sidewalks and bike paths, and keeping our parks vibrant and welcoming. I will also help shape the 2027 Master Plan, our roadmap for the next decade of growth, safety, and community connection. With nearly 25 years of leadership running businesses and organizations, I bring proven experience in financial stewardship, strategic planning, and collaborative leadership—skills directly transferable to City Council and essential for delivering on these priorities so Wyoming can continue evolving and thriving.
One factor that leads to segregation in housing and schooling (racial and/or economic) is zoning decisions. What are your thoughts about our current zoning map and the feasibility of welcoming a more economically diverse population to our city?
On a national level, trends are accelerating the need for more high-density housing – both for the aging population and as housing affordability impacts younger generations. Locally, our strategic masterplan lists multiple strategies including “Review the zoning code and consider potential amendments that may be necessary to accommodate desired housing types at appropriate densities and with appropriate design standards” and “Consider the need to increase housing options within the community (e.g. empty nesters, young or single adults, and young families).” We need to follow the strategic guidance of our city’s masterplan. We can also use our community assets to welcome diverse populations to our businesses and events like Fall Festival, Village Green programming, etc.
Do you think that Wyoming has made strides toward making our community a more welcoming place for diverse peoples? What concerns are most pressing?
In the past few years, Wyoming has made positive progress in this area. A key place for welcoming is in our schools. The schools have created a Belonging and Inclusion Collaborative to help address this. As a city, we’ve created the Universal Playground – a space that is accessible for play to all and it’s the first of its kind in Cincinnati. We’ve also increased the diversity of programming at the Village Green to celebrate diversity. We’ve extended the hike/bike trail to improve community mobility and provide community connection, including with neighboring communities.
While we’ve made progress, there’s always more to do. Moving forward we need more diversity in our city and community leadership – Council, City Staff, City Boards and Commissions. We need more people to apply for these positions so we broaden the base of perspectives that can be considered in all our city’s initiatives.
Are you open to building relationships with our surrounding communities? If so, how would you go about doing this? What experience do you have doing this?
I think it’s absolutely critical we continue to build relationships with surrounding communities. We are already working to create top to top relationships with local city managers, while also sharing public safety resources to strengthen all communities. We are working with the city of Woodlawn on the North Pike development to ensure the needs of both communities are considered. I would continue to foster these relationships by proactively seeking partnerships—whether around trail connections, stormwater management, or shared community programming.
While running a global advertising agency, I’ve worked with people and offices all over the globe – all with different priorities, cultures and needs. That has given me the skills to listen/understand, negotiate, and compromise. While President of our Cincinnati office, I brokered a joint venture with a company in NYC to advance the business goals of both companies. These are directly transferable skills in working with neighboring communities.
Do you think the City Strategic Plan is on track? What have you done to help advance it? Is there anything you would modify?
Yes, I believe the City Strategic Plan is on track. Many initiatives—improving roads, investing in parks, and revitalizing the Village Green—have been executed or are underway. As Chair of the Streets & Roads Committee, I helped lead the investment that rebuilt 25% of our roads in a single year and advanced safer crosswalks and bump-outs to improve public safety. I also supported new programming at the Village Green, giving residents more opportunities to connect and build community.
Looking ahead, I will focus on shaping the next Master Plan—our roadmap for the next decade of growth, safety, and community vibrancy. I want to see a stronger emphasis on sustainability and environmental stewardship, while also addressing housing diversity, walkability, and economic vitality. This plan should prioritize modern infrastructure, safe neighborhoods, and thriving public spaces to ensure Wyoming remains welcoming and positioned for long-term success.
As a current member of City Council, what contribution or achievement are you most proud of?
I am most proud of leading the effort to invest in our infrastructure while keeping our budget strong. By rebuilding a quarter of our roads in a single year—and doing so under budget—we were able to stretch dollars further and reinvest in additional roadways. Adding safe crosswalks, bump-outs, and new sidewalks has made our neighborhoods safer and more connected.
At the same time, I’ve championed projects that strengthen our sense of community, including the Village Green revitalization and the new dog park. These investments highlight my belief that City Council should not only address critical infrastructure but also create spaces that bring joy and connection.
Together, these achievements represent why I serve: to deliver smart, efficient investments that make Wyoming safer, stronger, and more welcoming—while ensuring every tax dollar goes as far as possible for the benefit of our community.