Katie Moline is a current member of the Toledo City Council and the Vice-Chair of the Budget Oversight Committee, the Vice-Chair of Zoning and Planning, a Member of the Finance and Debt Oversight Committee, Economic Development Committee, and Water and Sustainability Committee. With a background in accounting, Moline is invested in improving commerce in the city of Toledo. She is a member of United Way’s Emerging Leaders and Women’s Initiative and uses her position to represent up-and-coming women leaders.

In 2021, Councilwoman Katie Moline will continue to serve as a member of the  Toledo City Council.

Meet The Candidate

Can you tell our members a little bit about your journey to filing as a candidate? 

I have been blessed with some incredible role-models in my life who were public servants.  Beginning with my parents, my mother was a special education school teacher for the Toledo Public Schools.  My father was the Finance Director for the City of Toledo.  Further, I worked for Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur who is the longest-serving woman in the House of Representatives who taught me that women in leadership can be strong and respected leaders without compromising her values or identity.  These leaders in my life instilled in me a strong sense of community and commitment to the City of Toledo and its people, which greatly influenced my decision to run for office.

Can you tell me about a woman who has had a big influence on your life and inspired you to become a leader? What lessons did she teach you?  

I had the pleasure of working for Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur. Congresswoman Kaptur has fought tirelessly for my community for decades.  She taught me that women in leadership can be powerful while still acting graceful and kind.  She is truly beloved by my community and equally loves the opportunity she has to serve it.  I hope to follow her example and serve in a manner that inspires other women.  I plan on encouraging other women to run in the same way that the Congresswoman’s leadership inspired me.  More women in office will mean better policies for women.

How did one of these experiences shape who you are as a person and a leader? 

As a Certified Public Accountant, I have grown to understand the importance of good financial governance in correlation to the success and management of a city.  I will seek to spread financial literacy to individuals and within local government.  Transparency, accountability, efficiency and return on investment are among my core values.  Electing leaders with these values promotes good governance and citizens’ faith in government.

The Matriots PAC has a bold goal to see 50% of all elected offices in Ohio held by women by 2028. What is your vision for Ohio in 2028? 

The Matriots bold goal not only inspires me, but it should be universally embraced by those who value equality and diversity.  Representation is so important in all sectors, but specifically in politics.  A perfect vision for 2028 would be 50% of elected offices held by women, and also equitable representation of race, gender, ethnicity and sexual orientation.  I would also hope to see a female Governor and female Senator in Ohio by 2028!

Tip O’Neill famously said that “all politics is local.” What are the top-two issues your community faces today?  

The top two issues Toledo faces right now are a fiscal crisis and dilapidated infrastructure.  As a Certified Public Accountant, I have the necessary expertise to help balance our budget and steer us through challenging financial times.  Toledo has also been behind the curve in repairing streets, bridges, sewers and other infrastructure.  One reason we have fallen so far behind is the lack of local government funds coming from the State of Ohio.   We have lost millions over the last 10 years, and because of that we have delayed repairs. They should not be delayed any further.  I’m looking forward to getting us back on track, improving our financial status, and freeing up funds to make these improvements.

Tell us something personal about yourself. It can be a hobby, your favorite food, a funny pet story, something we might not know about you that you would like to share with our members.

I had just completed my International Master’s degree studying in St. Petersburg, Russia, when I was invited by U.S. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur to meet her for a Congressional Delegation in Kiev, Ukraine.  I was excited to be part of this group that met for a fancy gathering with the President of Ukraine and many international diplomats. Before meeting with Marcy though, I was talking to a diplomat from Brussels when I reached for a stuffed mushroom with a cocktail fork (I was so hungry after my travels), only to have it fall into his glass of champagne.  He was completely disgusted and I was completely mortified.  Despite this international-diplomatic incident, Marcy was still willing to give me a chance, which started the journey to where I am today.