With 35 years of experience in social services, Lisa Wilde brings exceptional qualifications to her new role as a member of the Stratford Police Services Board.
“I think I can contribute to the overall goals and strategic plans,” Wilde told MyStratfordNow. “I’m looking forward to making a difference, especially for women and children because that has been my focus for so many years.”
Wilde’s leadership credentials include more than two decades as executive director at the Emily Murphy Centre, a second-stage housing facility that empowers and serves women, who have experienced violence.
The City of Stratford declared intimate partner violence an epidemic in the city in 2023.
City council passed a motion on Monday to appoint Wilde to the police board.
Iris Collective Stratford, a community group which represents the needs of women and amplifies their voices, sent a letter to city council prior to the selection, noting the council-appointed vacancy, on what was then an all-male board, should be female.
“It is a critical and necessary step toward ensuring that our police service truly reflects and responds to all members of our community, especially those most vulnerable to intimate partner and gender-based violence,” the letter stated.
Iris Collective Stratford note that national data continues to show that women and girls remain disproportionately affected by intimate partner violence (IPV), women and girls are overrepresented among victims of family and intimate partner violence, and, locally, Stratford Police Service’s 2024 Annual Report documents persistent occurrences of sexual assault, approximately 30-40 a year, as well as domestic and violent offences.
The letter asked city council to consider appointing a woman with lived experience or professional background in gender-based violence, social services, community advocacy, or related fields, bringing insight, empathy, and accountability to the board.
After Wilde’s appointment, Iris Collective thanked city council in a statement, “for appointing a thoughtful and experienced community leader.
“Lisa Wilde brings a needed voice, perspective, and presence to a table where women’s realities must be understood and taken seriously. We are grateful and excited to see Lisa bridging the gap between community experience with institutional decision-making.”
Members of the board have important responsibilities including ensuring the provision of adequate and effective policing.
According to the city, the five-member board includes two members of city council, a person appointed by a resolution of council who is neither a member of council nor an employee of the municipality, and two citizens appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council.
The term of the citizen representative appointed by council is normally four years, but Wilde’s appointment runs until November, 2026.
The opening came about after former police board member and two-term city councillor Dave Gaffney died earlier this year, age 63.
Nine people applied for the board position.
