Thomas

Courtney Thomas is often referred to as a walking billboard for the City of Tallahassee, a description fitting her role as Director of External Affairs for the city.

In her role, she leads community and constituent relations within the

Office of the Mayor.

Thomas is Tallahassee. She was born and raised in Florida’s capital city, she earned her undergraduate degree in political science and a master’s in applied American politics and policy at Florida State University, and now teaches at FSU as an adjunct professor.

The Tallahassee Democrat last year named her one of Tallahassee’s 25 Women You Need to Know.

Not only does Thomas wield power as a member of Mayor John Dailey’s executive staff, she’s cultivating and forging a new generation of leadership to keep Tallahassee on a sustainable path to progress.

She mentors young women in the city through Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the Leon County Chapter of the Charmettes. Last year, she co-hosted AKA Day at the Capitol, an annual legislative advocacy event.

Through her day job, she spearheaded an initiative to install free period product dispensers in City Hall and city community centers. Tallahassee is one of the only cities in the nation to provide free menstrual products for residents, according to the Tallahassee Democrat.

And Thomas gives back in other creative ways, too. After earning her certification as a yoga instructor during the COVID-19 pandemic, Thomas began teaching yoga classes downtown. But she doesn’t pocket the proceeds. Instead, she directs them to a number of nonprofits she supports, such as the Girl Flo Project, Second Harvest and Capital Tea. She also donates proceeds to a breast cancer support group at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare.

Thomas’ past professional work includes service as a legislative assistant for the Florida Dental Association, work on former U.S. Rep. Al Lawson’s 2016 congressional campaign, and a stint as a constituent services representative for Lawson and former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham

At just 32 years old, it’s clear Thomas has plenty more to add to her résumé. Might that include running for office herself someday? It might. In 2020, Thomas participated in the She Should Run Virtual Cohort program, which aims to increase the number of women considering running for public office by providing workshops, courses, resources and networking to women looking to take the leap.