Diane Ballantyne Biography

Finding common ground around the council or committee table, while clearly articulating the needs of the day (affordable housing, infrastructure deficits, farmland preservation etc.), is the secret sauce to successful advocacy. As an active community builder, Diane values collaboration and authentic relationships to move the needle on important issues.

During her first term on the AMO Board Diane served as mentor to a Youth Fellowship recipient, was part of the new Executive Director transition, and saw the publishing of the powerful homelessness report which highlighted this rapidly growing issue in rural communities. 

Not one to shy away from spirited debate, Diane’s well-prepared voice will continue to effectively represent the unique needs of the County Caucus in a climate that is all too often urban-focused. Currently serving on AMO’s County Caucus, and in her second term as a Wellington County Councillor, solidifies her experienced regional focus.

With long term connections to Queen’s Park and around the Province, Diane is well-placed to leverage those associations to productively champion County Caucus concerns.

Diane has co-presented at the ROMA (Toronto) and the International Economic Development Conferences (Denver). She authored the “Healing power of green space” in Municipal World and, as a certified Adjudicator for Agencies, Boards and Tribunals, Diane chairs professional misconduct hearings for the Ontario College of Teachers. 

Diane’s deep commitment to stronger communities is demonstrated through her co-founding the Centre Wellington Community Dinner Project (“Building community one meal at a time”), has sat on various non-profit boards and recently co-founded the Centre Wellington Pride committee. As a volunteer bartender, she also makes time to support Fergus Legion events and numerous local festivals. 

Diane was honoured to receive the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence upon her retirement from the sector as well as an honourable mention for Municipal World’s “Women of Influence” edition. She is passionate about live music, the outdoors and her family. 

Instagram, Facebook & X: 
@ballantynecw
diane@dianeballantyne.ca