Throughout her career, Jyoti Gondek has worked tirelessly to build and enhance Calgary, advocating for diversity and fostering collaboration between businesses, community organizations, educational institutions, and local government to better serve residents. Starting her professional journey in community organizations and academia, she later served one term as a Calgary city councillor. In 2021, she succeeded Naheed Nenshi, becoming the city’s first female mayor. More on calgaryes.com.
Early Life and Education
Born as Prabjote Grewal in 1969 in London, her given name translates from Punjabi as “little flame” or “God’s light.” During her childhood, she was affectionately called Jyoti. Her parents were from Punjab, India, and when Jyoti was four, the family moved to Canada, settling in Winnipeg.
Jyoti’s father, Jasdev, worked as a lawyer with Manitoba’s provincial land rights office. The family lived in several communities during her childhood. Jyoti led a typical life, enjoying ice skating, basketball, music, and spending time with friends. At home, she spoke Punjabi with her parents to preserve her heritage and use the language later in life.
After graduating from high school in Brandon, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Sociology from the University of British Columbia. She pursued a Master’s degree in Organizational Sociology at the University of Manitoba, where she met her future husband, Todd Gondek.
Professional Beginnings
In January 1995, after completing her studies, Jyoti began working as a policy analyst for the Manitoba government, researching ways to improve women’s shelters. Meanwhile, her husband worked as a geological engineer in the oil field. The couple spent a year in Wainwright, Alberta, before moving to Calgary, where Jyoti joined the Alberta Central Credit Union. From July 1997 to December 1999, she worked there as a sales and marketing manager in organizational support.
In 2000, Jyoti’s parents relocated to Calgary to be closer to family. Following her father’s sudden passing, Jyoti took on his community advocacy efforts, championing Sikh rights within the city. Thanks to her initiatives, Punjabi was recognized as a second language in Calgary schools. She also contributed to various local organizations, including the Northern Hills Community Association and the nonprofit wellness center Vivo for Healthier Generations.
In 2004, Jyoti and Todd welcomed their daughter, Justice. That same year, Jyoti founded Tick Consulting, a firm encouraging companies to embrace social responsibility. Over 12 years, she worked with clients in the energy and urban planning sectors, helping them develop sustainable business models.
Academic Achievements and Community Contributions
In 2009, Jyoti pursued a doctorate in Urban Sociology at the University of Calgary, earning her PhD in 2014. She then took on a teaching role and became the director of the university’s Westman Centre for Real Estate Studies. During her tenure, she developed programs that connected students with professionals to create thriving urban spaces. She also focused on addressing Calgary’s downtown real estate challenges, as property values plummeted, and served on Calgary’s planning commission.
Jyoti’s dedication to urban development and community betterment earned her significant recognition. In 2012, she was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for her societal contributions. In 2016, she received the Angus Reid Applied Sociology Award for her work in advancing sociology as a model for community, organizational, and public service.
City Councillor
In 2017, Jyoti decided to run for Calgary City Council, aiming to implement policies that would improve community life. She ran in Ward 3, a constituency in Calgary’s north-central region, competing for a seat held by Jim Stevenson for a decade.
Her campaign focused on infrastructure, transportation, and recreational development. Jyoti positioned herself as a centrist, emphasizing collaboration among public, private, and social sectors to drive Calgary’s progress.
On October 17, 2017, Jyoti secured 7,746 votes, nearly 3,000 more than her closest competitor. She became one of three women elected to the new city council. During her term, Jyoti prioritized building transportation links between downtown and Ward 3, advocated for police reform, supported a new arena for the Calgary Flames, and promoted the development of new suburban communities.
Becoming Calgary’s First Female Mayor
When then-Mayor Naheed Nenshi announced he would not seek re-election for a fourth term, Jyoti declared her candidacy. In January 2021, she joined a crowded field of 27 candidates, including strong contenders Jeromy Farkas and Jeff Davison.
Jyoti’s campaign centered on three key priorities: treating residents as investors in the city, reducing tax revenues transferred to Alberta, and fostering inclusive economic recovery. She also planned to tackle climate change and homelessness by strengthening Calgary’s social and economic resilience, while promoting arts and building a new transit line.
On October 18, 2021, Jyoti won the mayoral race, earning the most votes in all 14 wards and 45% of the total vote. Her main rival, Jeromy Farkas, garnered 30%. On October 25, Jyoti was sworn in as Calgary’s first female mayor. The same day, Amarjeet Sohi, a Sikh immigrant from India, became Edmonton’s mayor, reshaping perceptions of leadership roles for people of color in Alberta.
Early Mayoral Actions
Upon taking office, Jyoti immediately began fulfilling her campaign promises. In November 2021, Calgary City Council, under her leadership, declared a climate emergency, signaling a shift in Alberta’s energy transition policies and emphasizing Calgary’s commitment to addressing climate change.
However, challenges soon emerged. A March 29, 2022, survey by ThinkHQ Public Affairs revealed mixed public opinion about her early tenure. While 38% of respondents approved of her policies, 53% expressed dissatisfaction, and 9% remained undecided. Analysts attributed the low approval ratings to a stalled Calgary Event Center deal, a 4% tax increase, and ongoing pandemic challenges.
Jyoti Gondek continues to navigate these challenges while striving to fulfill her vision for a more inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous Calgary.