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 history of leadership in innovation and quality of life.
Today, our city faces important challenges around affordability, housing, infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and rapid technological change. I believe Guelph has the opportunity not just to respond to these changes, but to lead through them with thoughtful planning, responsible decision-making, and strong community collaboration.
You may 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 brings people together to solve problems and move ideas forward.
I bring leadership that starts with listening, experience managing growth and change, and the ability to deliver meaningful results for growing communities and organizations.
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 businesses grow, 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.
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 Ryhze 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, and help turn good ideas into real results for our community.