About Jeanne

Getting to Know Jeanne ...

Jeanne MacLeamy grew up in Flint, Michigan and earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the School of Architecture at the University of Michigan.  Her early professional career included being Vice President of Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum – one of the world’s leading architectural firms – where she was project architect and manager for The San Francisco Moscone Convention Center, the University of Alaska Physical Education Center, and the Stanford University Cecil H. Green Graduate Library.

As a licensed California architect, Jeanne started her own firm more than 30 years ago.  During that time, she has been responsible for a wide variety of new buildings and renovations throughout Marin and the Bay Area, including educational, commercial, sports, recreation and residential.  Of particular note are the Novato Rolling Hills Club and the Saint Mark’s School Art & Science and Gymnasium buildings.

With her life-long commitment to volunteerism, Jeanne has served as Chair of the San Francisco Junior League Professional Women, Board Member of the San Francisco Exploratorium Museum, Board Chair at Saint Mark’s School, and positions with various homeowners’ associations.  She and a friend initiated a science program at Dixie School that won the prestigious Golden Bell award. Jeanne and husband Patrick led a successful community effort to purchase 178 acres of Novato’s pristine natural environment (including a spectacular waterfall!) and preserve it as permanent open space.  

During her 6-year tenure on the Novato Design Review Committee, she initiated the “workshop” process that engaged neighbors and developers early on, and recommended Hillside and Ridgeline Ordinances to the City Council.  She remains true to her belief that new developments should be appropriate for their sites, their neighborhoods, and the character of the community.

First elected to the City Council in 2003 and then again in 2007, Jeanne has served as mayor twice.  She has continued to focus on the three priorities she believes lead to a vibrant future for Novato.  Highlights include:

Fiscal:  Jeanne led the effort to set up long term funds for long term needs such as maintenance and emergency reserves.  Recently she supported reduction of more than $4 million in expenses and 34 city staff to balance the Novato budget.  Jeanne has also taken a leading role in evaluating and promoting responsible pension reforms to assure long-term sustainability.

Facilities:  Jeanne‘s leadership led to preservation and restoration of the iconic Novato City Hall as a resource for all Novato.  Currently she advocates building city offices at the Civic Center with one time money to eliminate costly lease payments - saving ongoing General Fund money - and repurposing surplus properties.

Land Use:  Jeanne proposed measures to preserve and strengthen hillside and ridgeline protection.  Recently she resisted blanket adoption of the State Housing Mandate and instead successfully led the way to a lower density “Novato’s Way” solution.

Jeanne is a proud recipient of several awards, including the Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International and the surprise naming of the Jeanne MacLeamy Arts & Science Building at Saint Mark’s School.