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Episode 239 of The HaltingWinter Podcast
Brought to you by Tyler Technologies and Zencity
What does leadership look like when tragedy strikes?
For Ghida Neukirch, City Manager of Highland Park, Illinois, that question became more than hypothetical on July 4, 2022, when a mass shooting devastated her community during its annual parade.
In Episode 239 of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Ghida shares her remarkable journey, from fleeing civil war as a child to leading through one of the darkest days in Highland Park’s history, and the lessons she carries for every city manager and local government leader.
Ghida’s story begins in Beirut, Lebanon, where her family fled bombings during the country’s civil war. That early experience of chaos and resilience shaped her outlook, while a college project at DePaul University introduced her to the world of local government, a world where real people’s lives could be changed through effective management.
And she never looked back. After internships, an MPA at Northern Illinois University, and formative years in Niles and Buffalo Grove, Ghida became City Manager of Highland Park in 2014. Along the way, she learned the value of mentors, the importance of breaking down silos, and the truth that leadership is about passion, not position.
City managers often carry an invisible weight. The role is designed to be apolitical, shining the spotlight on elected officials and staff while shouldering responsibility for decisions that affect an entire community. As Ghida shares, the work can be lonely and that’s why professional associations and peer networks are lifelines.
“Sometimes you just need someone who gets it,” she says. “In a crisis, that network is everything.”
On the day of the parade shooting, Highland Park’s years of preparation and mutual aid agreements were put to the test. In 27 minutes, 24 patients were transported for care, thanks to coordination among 115 agencies.
But no training can remove the human cost. Seven lives were lost. Forty-nine were injured. Thousands of residents were forever changed, including Ghida’s own family members, who were in the parade that day.
For Ghida, the days that followed meant 18-hour shifts, nonstop coordination, and the emotional toll of managing both recovery operations and her own grief. She admits she failed at balance but credits her family and colleagues with pulling her back to health.
This episode is not just a story, it’s a blueprint. Ghida highlights what every city leader should take to heart:
Local government leadership is often thankless. The parades, festivals, and everyday services that build community are taken for granted—until something goes wrong. Ghida’s story is a powerful reminder of why city managers matter, and why resilience, recovery, and preparation are non-negotiable parts of the job.
Listen to Episode 239: “When Leadership Meets Tragedy“
Available now on all major podcast platforms and www.haltingwinter.com.
This episode is made possible by our sponsors:
Tyler Technologies
Helping municipalities modernize, streamline, and better serve their residents with innovative digital solutions. Learn how Tyler supports local governments at www.tylertech.com/winter
Zencity
Giving leaders a clear view of what their community really thinks and needs—not just the “same ten people.” With real-time insights, you can lead with confidence. Discover how Zencity helps municipal leaders listen and respond at www.info.zencity.io/winter
The HaltingWinter Podcast celebrates and elevates the people who power local government. Through in-depth conversations with leaders from cities, counties, and communities of all sizes, host Seth Winterhalter explores the journeys, challenges, and innovations happening in municipal leadership across America.
