From day one, Mayor Collum has pursued a forward-thinking agenda centered on economic development, affordable housing, sustainability, infrastructure, and public safety. Working closely with the Village Council, staff, and a wide range of community stakeholders, she has delivered more than $500 million in commercial and mixed-use investments. These projects are rooted in equity and inclusion, featuring robust affordable housing commitments and community benefit agreements that ensure development serves all residents.

A bold advocate for equitable transit-oriented growth, Mayor Collum voluntarily increased her affordable housing obligations for the third round and is prepared to double the production of housing units zoned and built for the fourth round. She frequently leverages redevelopment laws to negotiate the most advantageous financial terms and outside-the-box ideas, including a downtown business incubator and a soon-to-open artist hub and makerspace, fostering economic opportunity where market conditions would be cost-prohibitive.

Mayor Collum has also led a comprehensive rewrite of South Orange’s outdated master plan, mobilizing thousands of residents and a diverse coalition of volunteers to shape a shared vision for the future. Her ability to turn challenges into transformative change is evident in initiatives like the sale and adaptive reuse of a costly Town Hall, which is now a thriving restaurant and banquet space. Capital investments under her leadership prioritize direct community benefits, including a modernized recreation center, an upcoming state-of-the-art library, a four-phase river greenway to expand walkability and bicycle safety, and various improvements to parks and public spaces.

Understanding the power of collaboration, Mayor Collum played a pivotal role in consolidating fire services with the neighboring town of Maplewood, a landmark shared-services agreement that has become a statewide model for improving efficiency, reducing long-term costs, and enhancing public safety. She continues to find efficiencies in government operations, deploying a “better, faster, optimal cost” mentality for taxpayers.

A steadfast advocate for women in leadership, Mayor Collum has worked tirelessly to increase female representation in government. Under her leadership, the Village Council expanded from two to five women-elected officials, setting a new precedent for inclusion and representation. Her dedication to empowering women in public service earned her the Women in Municipal Government Award from the New Jersey State League of Municipalities in 2022.

Beyond her role as Mayor, Sheena Collum is the Executive Director of the American Planning Association – New Jersey Chapter, where she works to build stronger, more resilient communities statewide. Most recently, she helped secure a two-year $1.5 million grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to integrate public health into municipal master plans, ensuring that cities and towns across New Jersey prioritize the well-being of their residents in future development.
A proud alumna of Seton Hall University, Mayor Collum graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in political science before earning her master’s degree in public administration, with a concentration in public policy.