Mayor Traore serves as the first Black mayor of the Village of Newburgh Heights.  Prior to this role she served over 3.5 years as a councilmember, in leadership as the Council President Pro Tempore and Chair, Parks & Active Transportation Masterplan.  Mayor Traore has a 20+ year career in politics as an operative, consultant and civic advocate in the national, state, and local arena. Mayor Traore is the Immediate Past President of the Northeast Ohio City Council Association [NOCCA] and board member for the Suburban Water Council of Governments – Cuyahoga Region.   Mayor Traore earned a Master of Science in Leadership, General Management from Walden University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work along with a Black Studies Certification from Cleveland State University.