About the Speakers

In 2007 Lisa Wong was elected to the office of Mayor of the City of Fitchburg, through an intensive grassroots campaign.  Mayor Wong was re-elected to her second term in 2009.  She is Fitchburg’s first minority and second woman Mayor.

Mayor Wong’s role in re-shaping Fitchburg started in 2001 when she was the Executive Director of the Fitchburg Redevelopment Authority.  Her vision for Fitchburg includes creating a renewed vibrancy, achieving financial stability for the City, and revitalizing the former mill town.

As one of Fitchburg’s youngest elected officials, and the daughter of Chinese immigrants, Mayor Wong, who was born in Massachusetts, grew up in North Andover and has lived in Boston and in Sydney, Australia.  She graduated from Boston University with a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in Economics.

Linda Balzotti was elected the first woman Mayor in the City of Brockton in 2009.  A decade before becoming Mayor, Balzotti served as a Planning Board member and subsequently was elected to the Brockton City Council serving as City Council President in 2001.  

Mayor Balzotti is a graduate of Brockton High School and holds a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University.  She also has experience as a former legislative aide to Representative Christine Canavan, D-Brockton, at the Massachusetts State House.  She is employed as the Public Information Officer at Bridgewater State College.