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Welcome
My name is James Doran. Most people call me Jamie.
Guelph needs a shared vision for the future, leadership to bring people together around that vision, and the practical experience to turn it into results.
I’m a longtime Guelph resident who has spent years helping build businesses, partnerships, and community initiatives that support innovation, economic opportunity, and local culture. Guelph is a special place, with a strong sense of community and a long history of leadership in innovation and quality of life.
Today, our city faces important challenges around affordability, housing, infrastructure, growth, and environmental sustainability. I believe Guelph has the people, ideas, and resources to tackle these challenges while protecting the character and quality of life that make our city special.
Many residents feel disconnected from decisions being made at City Hall. I want to help rebuild that connection through open communication, genuine public engagement, and practical leadership. That starts with listening to residents, bringing people together, and turning good ideas into action.
I bring leadership that starts with listening, experience managing growth and change, and a track record of bringing people together to deliver meaningful results.
Blueprint Guelph
Listen. Lead. Deliver.
I’ve spent more than 20 years in Guelph and plan to be here for the rest of my days. My background includes business, community leadership, innovation, and working with all levels of government to bring people together to solve challenges in innovative ways. I’m passionate about helping people and organizations succeed, building strong partnerships, and finding practical solutions that make a difference in our community. I’m not about endless talk. I’m about action and results.
Throughout my career, I’ve been guided by a simple principle: Business for Positive Change. To me, that means recognizing that economic, social, and environmental progress are connected. Strong businesses create jobs and opportunity, but they can also strengthen communities, support social progress, drive innovation, and help solve environmental challenges. It’s a philosophy I brought to Innovation Guelph and have continued to apply throughout my professional work.
As CEO of Innovation Guelph, I helped grow the organization into a leading regional innovation hub that supported entrepreneurs, attracted investment, strengthened partnerships, and contributed millions of dollars to the local economy. I worked closely with municipal, provincial, and federal partners, as well as businesses, nonprofits, and academic institutions, to align projects and funding with real community needs.
I’ve also helped lead collaborative community initiatives including Community Builders, the Guelph Water Alliance, and the Guelph Innovation Network. As a local entrepreneur, I’ve built and operated Main Street businesses in both Guelph and Barrie and worked closely with startups, small businesses, manufacturers, nonprofits, and researchers. I understand both the opportunities and frustrations people experience when working with municipal systems.
My work has always remained connected to community. I’ve served as Chair of the Guelph Manufacturers Alliance and the Guelph Water Alliance, a board member of the Guelph Youth Music Centre, a member of Mayors’ Task Force initiatives in both Guelph and Barrie, and a founding partner of the Elevator Project and the Rhyze Program for women entrepreneurs.
I also bring a future-focused perspective to City leadership. Through my work in research, innovation, and economic development, I’ve spent years examining how advances in areas like artificial intelligence, robotics, biosciences, agritech, and environmental sustainability are reshaping local economies and communities. I believe Guelph has an opportunity to lead by planning thoughtfully, supporting innovation responsibly, and building a city that remains affordable, resilient, and connected.
I’m running for City Council to bring practical experience and a fresh perspective to City Hall. I believe Guelph’s best days are ahead of us. My goal is simple: listen to residents, work with community partners, support local businesses, solve problems, and help turn good ideas into real results for our community.
Visit Blueprint Guelph to learn more about my vision and practical ideas for Guelph’s future.