Mayor Berry Vrbanovic was born in Zagreb, Croatia, and moved to Canada as a young child. Coming from an immigrant family himself, Berry understands the challenges and issues facing the thousands of Canadians who have made Kitchener their new home.
Berry attended St. Jerome's high school, and graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with a BA in political science and a diploma in business administration. Prior to entering municipal politics, he worked in our city clerk's office and the information technology division.
Berry's outgoing and personable style contributed to his ability to successfully serve as a city councillor for six consecutive terms of council, from 1994-2014. During that time, he helped bring important community initiatives to life, such as the fire station at Ottawa Street and River Road, the Grand River-Stanley Park branch of the Kitchener Public Library and the Stanley Park Community Centre. He also co-founded the Chicopee Outreach Program (COP), a unique mentoring program linking at-risk youth with police, fire and community mentors.
Berry Vrbanovic was first elected as Mayor of the City of Kitchener in 2014, and was re-elected in 2018 and 2022, with an outpouring of community support. He remains committed to improving the quality of life for residents in Kitchener and throughout the Region of Waterloo.
In addition to serving on all of our regular standing committees, Berry is also an appointee and active participant on many boards and committees, including the Mayor's Advisory Council for Kitchener Seniors (MACKS), Enova Power Corp. board of directors, University of Waterloo board of governors, Wilfrid Laurier University board of governors, Kitchener Housing Inc. board of directors, Centre in the Square board of management, and the Downtown Kitchener BIA board of directors.
As a member of Waterloo regional council, Berry sits on all three regional standing committees, as well as the economic development committee, and the King Victoria Transit Hub steering committee.
Berry is also Co-President of United Cities & Local Governments, President Emeritus (2011-12) of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and a past member of FCM's Green Municipal Fund Council.
Short biography
The following shortened biography can be used in an event program or introductory remarks. You are also welcome to contact the Office of the Mayor and Council for further details.
Mayor Berry Vrbanovic was elected in 2014 as the 68th Mayor of the City of Kitchener since its founding as the Village of Berlin in 1854. As Mayor, he also sits as a member of the council of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo. Prior to being elected Mayor, he served as a City Councillor from 1994-2014.
Born in Zagreb, Croatia, Mayor Vrbanovic moved to Canada as a young child. He is a graduate of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, Wilfrid Laurier University and the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative. Coming from an immigrant family himself, he understands the challenges and issues facing the thousands of Canadians who have made Kitchener their new home.
Mayor Vrbanovic also currently serves as Co-President of United Cities and Local Governments and serves on Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) committees and its Big Cities Mayors’ Caucus, as well as with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario Big City Mayors. He is President Emeritus of FCM (2011-12) and is a former member of the FCM Green Municipal Fund Council.