Councillor Ayo Owodunni
Ward 5
In Office: 2022 - present
Ayo Owodunni moved to Kitchener with his family from Lagos, Nigeria in 2016. Prior to being elected to Council, he worked as a Consultant, Facilitator, and Learning & Development leader in organizations like Eagles Flight, BPTN, STRIVE! and Farmboy, as well as ran his own training and consulting outfit where he helped clients in Nigeria and Kenya build internal leadership capacity and culture. He obtained a Masters in Business Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) from the University of Waterloo and a Certificate in Adult Education from George Brown College, Toronto.
During the last few years, Ayo became very active as a community organizer, supporting African associations and community organizations to better meet the needs of immigrants and communities of color. He is the Founder and Co-Host of The Immigrant View, a podcast dedicated to helping new immigrants to Canada move from surviving to thriving, and regularly featured on CityNews 570's The Mike Farwell Show. He also appeared on CBC KW Radio segments offering helpful advice for immigrants and volunteered as a mentor with the YMCA Mentorship Program. The segment was aired in 4 cities across Canada including Kitchener, Montreal, Halifax, and Vancouver. He has served on several Boards including: Leadership Waterloo Region; Adventure4Change; Immigrant Networks; Nigerians in the Region of Waterloo; Coalition of African Associations (now African Canadian Association of Waterloo Region).
As a husband and father of two young children, Ayo is committed to creating a community where families can grow in safety and with a sense of belonging. He loves Ward 5 and is passionate about the issues that matter most to residents, including: safety on our roads and increasing community engagement.
Current committee appointments
- Animal Designation Appeal Committee
- Dog Designation Appeal Committee
- Economic Development Advisory Committee
- Huron Natural Area Joint Ventures Committee
- Compass Kitchener
What's new in ward 5
Hello Ward 5 neighbours, and welcome to spring. As the weather warms and we spend more time outdoors, I’d like to share a few important updates to help you stay informed and connected.
The Region of Waterloo has launched its seasonal waste programs, including yard waste collection managed by Circular Materials. Collection began in the last week of March. I encourage residents to visit regionofwaterloo.ca/waste to look up your zone and confirm your schedule for waste, recycling, yard waste, and bulky item collection for the year.
Earth Day is coming up on Tuesday, April 22, and it’s a great opportunity to give back to our community. I’m excited to see local efforts already underway, including the Huron Community Association’s Earth Day Clean-Up on Saturday, April 26 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Huron Community Centre. This will be followed by their Eco-Quest event from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
As we head into spring, the City also begins seasonal services like street sweeping, litter clean-up, and repairs to turf and landscaping. If you have service requests, please contact info@kitchener.ca or call 519-741-2345.
If your neighbourhood is interested in a slowdown sign, feel free to email me directly.
Wishing you all a safe and refreshing spring season.
Land acknowledgement
The City of Kitchener is situated on the traditional territory of the Chonnonton, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee Peoples. We recognize our responsibility to act as stewards for the land and honour the original caretakers who came before us. Our community is enriched by the enduring knowledge and deep-rooted traditions of the diverse First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples who live in Kitchener today.