Our Team
Meet the experts driving municipal growth and leadership across the country.
Sean Durkin
Founder, CEO & Lead Instructor
Sean Durkin is the CEO & Founder of Municipal Mentor Group. He has over 30 years of municipal experience working in municipalities across Canada.
Over his career, Sean has served in an impressive range of roles from working the frontlines as a Zamboni driver, cleaning changerooms on the midnight shift, to leading teams of more than 750 staff, to serving as Chief Administrative Officer overseeing multi-million dollar operating budgets and capital projects. He has been instrumental in guiding municipalities through major facility builds, developing strong teams, navigating political pressures, intense media challenges, and community controversies. Along the way, he’s witnessed what works, what fails, and what staff truly need to thrive.
He founded Municipal Mentor Group to offer practical, grounded training that helps teams communicate better, lead with confidence, and deliver high-quality service. Sean focuses on giving municipal staff the tools he wishes he had earlier in his career; clear communication strategies, leadership frameworks, and the practical skills needed to navigate real municipal challenges.
Sean serves as the primary instructor for all leadership programs and is the featured keynote speaker for conferences and workshops.
Message from Sean:
“Municipal work is rewarding, but it’s not easy. I’ve been in your shoes, from late-night Council meetings to resident complaints at the front counter. My goal with Municipal Mentor Group is to make sure staff at every level have the skills, mindset, and tools to succeed and thrive in municipal government.”
Ken Glover
Recruitment & Consulting Services
Ken Glover is a Registered Professional Recruiter with 20 years’ experience conducting executive and senior leadership recruitment and providing human resource consulting services.
Over his career as Recruitment and HR Services Professional, Ken has built specific processes, practices and approaches for the Municipal Sector. Ken has worked with Councils and Municipal Executive Teams in performing executive organization recruitments for Chief Administrative Officers, City Managers, CFOs, and other key Director and Managerial roles. In addition, Ken has worked with Municipalities on various HR aspects such as policy and procedure reviews and development, terminations, employee engagement surveys, compensation reviews, and performance / incentive reviews and plans for CAOs and others. One popular product for Council’s and CAOs is the Human Resources Report Card, a fairly quick but thorough and insightful report on the status of the organization’s HR structure.
Ken is pleased to be collaborating with the Municipal Mentor Group in providing support services toward the betterment of the Municipal sector.
Michael (Mike) Parks
Speaker & Trainer
Benjamin Proulx
Speaker & Trainer
Mike Parks is a seasoned municipal leader with more than three decades of experience, including over twenty years in progressive and senior leadership roles. He has guided diverse union and non-union teams through major projects, organizational transformations, and complex challenges with a steady, thoughtful approach grounded in Trust, Integrity, Courage, and Compassion. Mike recently completed his Leadership degree at Trinity Western University, adding a contemporary perspective to his real-world leadership experience. Known for fostering strong workplace cultures, empowering staff, and building collaborative relationships with elected officials, he is committed to developing emerging leaders and helping municipal teams thrive. Let me know if you’d like a shorter, more promotional version for the Speakers grid.
Ben is an established expert in municipal communications, engagement, and crisis management with 15 years of on-the-ground experience supporting local governments across Canada. He has led communications audits, developed strategic plans, facilitated training for Administration and Council, and supported organizations through issues management, public engagement, reputation challenges, and crisis response. His industry insight is strengthened by continuous research into emerging trends and by his role as a founder of the Canadian Association of Municipal Communicators (CAMC), the country’s only professional association dedicated to local government communications.
Now in his fourth year teaching with the Elected Officials Education Program at the University of Alberta Augustana, Ben is also a regular guest lecturer for municipal and emergency management programs and a sought-after speaker at municipal conferences nationwide. He authored the public engagement and crisis communications components of the Municipal Resilience Toolkit for CAMA, as well as the Leadership Guide to Effective CAO-Council Relations. An engaging facilitator and strong advocate for local government, Ben brings practical, tested strategies that help municipalities communicate clearly and lead with confidence.
