VILLAGE COUNCIL

     

Contact Village Council

      

Council President

Gavin DeVore Leonard

TERM: 1/2024 - 12/2027

Gavin DeVore Leonard moved to Yellow Springs in 2015. He grew up in northwest Ohio (Lima and Bluffton), lived in Cincinnati for more than 10 years, and then in Columbus before settling in the village. He was drawn to Yellow Springs’ social justice history, access to nature, and the opportunity to raise a family in a small town.

Gavin is currently the President of Village Council and serves as the primary Council member on Planning Commission, as well as on the Finance Committee. His current term will expire at the end of 2027. His term of service began in May 2022 when he was appointed to fill a Council vacancy; he was then elected to a four-year term in November 2023.

In his more than 25-year career working for nonprofits in Ohio, he has served in executive leadership roles for organizations focused on statewide and local civic engagement coordination, budget and tax policy and lobbying, leadership development training in policy and politics, and hip hop-based youth arts programming. He has also spent years working for affordable housing organizations, canvassing on environmental issues, working on police accountability and racial justice, and serving on multiple boards and committees at the local, state, and national levels. He did not finish New York University because he was so excited to get to work (too excited, he wishes he could tell his past self 🙂).

Gavin’s wife is a teacher, and together they have two children with disabilities. He loves office supplies, spreadsheets, rivers, basketball, Tetris, hip hop, golf, flavorful food, magazines and books, and traveling (especially to places where there are no people).

TERM: 1/2024 - 12/2027

Gavin DeVore Leonard moved to Yellow Springs in 2015. He grew up in northwest Ohio (Lima and Bluffton), lived in Cincinnati for more than 10 years, and then in Columbus before settling in the village. He was drawn to Yellow Springs’ social justice history, access to nature, and the opportunity to raise a family in a small town.

Gavin is currently the President of Village Council and serves as the primary Council member on Planning Commission, as well as on the Finance Committee. His current term will expire at the end of 2027. His term of service began in May 2022 when he was appointed to fill a Council vacancy; he was then elected to a four-year term in November 2023.

In his more than 25-year career working for nonprofits in Ohio, he has served in executive leadership roles for organizations focused on statewide and local civic engagement coordination, budget and tax policy and lobbying, leadership development training in policy and politics, and hip hop-based youth arts programming. He has also spent years working for affordable housing organizations, canvassing on environmental issues, working on police accountability and racial justice, and serving on multiple boards and committees at the local, state, and national levels. He did not finish New York University because he was so excited to get to work (too excited, he wishes he could tell his past self 🙂).

Gavin’s wife is a teacher, and together they have two children with disabilities. He loves office supplies, spreadsheets, rivers, basketball, Tetris, hip hop, golf, flavorful food, magazines and books, and traveling (especially to places where there are no people).

Council Vice President

Angie Hsu

TERM: 1/2026 - 12/2029

Angie Hsu chose Yellow Springs in 2018 after friends recruited her here; Yellow Springs beat out 15 other locations she and her partner were considering as a place to start a family amidst nature and community. She quickly got involved as a board member of the Yellow Springs Community Foundation, including starting the guaranteed income program YSEQUITY in 2022.

Angie began her four-year term on Village Council in January 2026, focused on low-income housing and addressing the affordability-housing nexus. Her career has focused on labor, migrant, and refugee rights advocacy in Tel Aviv and Columbus before transitioning to small business ownership through the restaurant MAZU in Yellow Springs, which opened in 2023. She has a Master’s in Public Policy, which has come more into use in her position on Village Council than it did at MAZU.

Angie loves pottery, hosting and attending potlucks, biking, and going to Gaunt Park Pool with her partner, Matan, and their three boys.

TERM: 1/2026 - 12/2029

Angie Hsu chose Yellow Springs in 2018 after friends recruited her here; Yellow Springs beat out 15 other locations she and her partner were considering as a place to start a family amidst nature and community. She quickly got involved as a board member of the Yellow Springs Community Foundation, including starting the guaranteed income program YSEQUITY in 2022.

Angie began her four-year term on Village Council in January 2026, focused on low-income housing and addressing the affordability-housing nexus. Her career has focused on labor, migrant, and refugee rights advocacy in Tel Aviv and Columbus before transitioning to small business ownership through the restaurant MAZU in Yellow Springs, which opened in 2023. She has a Master’s in Public Policy, which has come more into use in her position on Village Council than it did at MAZU.

Angie loves pottery, hosting and attending potlucks, biking, and going to Gaunt Park Pool with her partner, Matan, and their three boys.

Council Member

Carmen Brown

TERM: 1/2024 - 12/2027

Carmen Brown is a sixth-generation “Townie” and is currently serving a second term on Village Council. In this role, she serves as lead liaison to the Public Arts & Culture Commission, Environmental Commission, and the Greene County Regional Planning and Coordinating Commission. She also serves as the alternate representative to the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission.

Carmen describes it as a privilege to serve the Village and the people who call Yellow Springs home, noting the importance of thoughtful, informed representation. While acknowledging that it is not possible to make everyone happy all the time, she emphasizes the value of listening carefully, representing the community with integrity, and making difficult decisions when necessary.

TERM: 1/2024 - 12/2027

Carmen Brown is a sixth-generation “Townie” and is currently serving a second term on Village Council. In this role, she serves as lead liaison to the Public Arts & Culture Commission, Environmental Commission, and the Greene County Regional Planning and Coordinating Commission. She also serves as the alternate representative to the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission.

Carmen describes it as a privilege to serve the Village and the people who call Yellow Springs home, noting the importance of thoughtful, informed representation. While acknowledging that it is not possible to make everyone happy all the time, she emphasizes the value of listening carefully, representing the community with integrity, and making difficult decisions when necessary.

Council Member

Senay Semere

TERM: 1/2026 - 12/2029

Senay was elected to Village Council in January 2026 to a four-year term, focused on economic development, affordable living, and the creative arts. He also volunteered to represent the Village on the Yellow Springs Development Corporation (YSDC) and the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC), believing the Village’s economic future depends on what happens within Village limits and how it shows up and partners across the greater region.

That belief is backed by more than 15 years of experience and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Dayton. As Regional Director for the State of Ohio’s MBAC, Senay led minority business assistance across a 12-county region and secured the largest grant in the Dayton MBAC’s history. This work later led to his role as an early advisor helping shape the founding identity of both the Greater West Dayton Incubator and The GEM, the University of Dayton’s creative economy space in the Dayton Arcade. That same instinct shows up in his branding work with partners like Black Tech Week and Ohioans Against Extremism, and it is the reason he founded Group Project Creative, a brand consultancy connecting underrepresented creatives and entrepreneurs to real economic opportunity.

Outside of Council, he is a self-proclaimed jukebox (deep love of music, not singing), a basketball and soccer diehard (Go Liverpool!), and a dedicated dispenser of dad jokes his wife and three children never asked for.

TERM: 1/2026 - 12/2029

Senay was elected to Village Council in January 2026 to a four-year term, focused on economic development, affordable living, and the creative arts. He also volunteered to represent the Village on the Yellow Springs Development Corporation (YSDC) and the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC), believing the Village’s economic future depends on what happens within Village limits and how it shows up and partners across the greater region.

That belief is backed by more than 15 years of experience and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Dayton. As Regional Director for the State of Ohio’s MBAC, Senay led minority business assistance across a 12-county region and secured the largest grant in the Dayton MBAC’s history. This work later led to his role as an early advisor helping shape the founding identity of both the Greater West Dayton Incubator and The GEM, the University of Dayton’s creative economy space in the Dayton Arcade. That same instinct shows up in his branding work with partners like Black Tech Week and Ohioans Against Extremism, and it is the reason he founded Group Project Creative, a brand consultancy connecting underrepresented creatives and entrepreneurs to real economic opportunity.

Outside of Council, he is a self-proclaimed jukebox (deep love of music, not singing), a basketball and soccer diehard (Go Liverpool!), and a dedicated dispenser of dad jokes his wife and three children never asked for.

Council Member

Stephanie Pearce

TERM: 1/2026 - 12/2027

Stephanie initially moved to Yellow Springs in 2002 and has remained deeply connected to the village through family, work, volunteering, and community involvement. Her experiences have shaped her commitment to keeping Yellow Springs welcoming, livable, and accessible for residents at different stages of life.

Elected to Village Council in 2025, she began serving in January 2026. She serves on the Active Transportation Committee, is the liaison to Yellow Springs Schools, and is an alternate on the Public Arts and Culture Commission. She is also a member of the Greene County Food Collaborative and the Regional Active Transportation Committee. Outside of Council, Stephanie serves on the YS Pride Committee, is a member of the FBI’s InfraGard program, and volunteers with several local and national nonprofits.

Stephanie’s professional background includes public safety, small business ownership, nonprofit administration, radio broadcasting, event production, and community organizing. She is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University. She is a mother of five and a grandmother of one. Outside of work, she enjoys live music, history, art, plants, hot tea, and creating opportunities for people to connect.

TERM: 1/2026 - 12/2027

Stephanie initially moved to Yellow Springs in 2002 and has remained deeply connected to the village through family, work, volunteering, and community involvement. Her experiences have shaped her commitment to keeping Yellow Springs welcoming, livable, and accessible for residents at different stages of life.

Elected to Village Council in 2025, she began serving in January 2026. She serves on the Active Transportation Committee, is the liaison to Yellow Springs Schools, and is an alternate on the Public Arts and Culture Commission. She is also a member of the Greene County Food Collaborative and the Regional Active Transportation Committee. Outside of Council, Stephanie serves on the YS Pride Committee, is a member of the FBI’s InfraGard program, and volunteers with several local and national nonprofits.

Stephanie’s professional background includes public safety, small business ownership, nonprofit administration, radio broadcasting, event production, and community organizing. She is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University. She is a mother of five and a grandmother of one. Outside of work, she enjoys live music, history, art, plants, hot tea, and creating opportunities for people to connect.

      
Yellow Springs Village Council serves as the elected governing body responsible for setting policy, adopting local laws and budgets, and guiding the long-term direction of the Village. The Village’s governing body is a nonpartisan, five-member Council. Three members are elected every two years during the November general election in odd-numbered years. The two candidates receiving the highest number of votes are elected to four-year terms, and the candidate receiving the third-highest total is elected to a two-year term.

Council members select their own President and Vice-President and work with the Village Manager to establish village laws and policies and set governmental priorities through an advisory and public hearing process. Council meetings are held the first and third Monday of each month at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers on the second floor of the John Bryan Community Center.

Council meetings are open to the public, and residents are encouraged to attend, stay informed, and participate. Each meeting includes a designated Citizen Concerns portion where community members may share feedback, raise concerns, and offer input on Council actions.
      

Recent Legislation

Agendas & Minutes

Watch Meetings

Village Values

Council Goals

     

   
CLERK OF COUNCIL

Clerk of Council

Judy Kintner

Judy Kintner has served as Council Clerk for the Village of Yellow Springs since March 2010, after moving to the community in 1985. In her role, she is responsible for records management and retention, preparing Council packets, assisting with legislation, and supporting communication between Council members, staff, and residents.

Judy brings a thoughtful, people-centered approach to her work, grounded in careful listening and a commitment to strong relationships and outcomes. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theater from Grinnell College, an Associate of Applied Science in Sign Language from Sinclair Community College and has completed all but her thesis toward a Master’s in Adaptive Physical Education at Wright State University. She is also a Certified Municipal Clerk.

Judy most enjoys collaborating with colleagues to navigate projects and helping residents connect with and better understand their local government.

Judy Kintner has served as Council Clerk for the Village of Yellow Springs since March 2010, after moving to the community in 1985. In her role, she is responsible for records management and retention, preparing Council packets, assisting with legislation, and supporting communication between Council members, staff, and residents.

Judy brings a thoughtful, people-centered approach to her work, grounded in careful listening and a commitment to strong relationships and outcomes. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theater from Grinnell College, an Associate of Applied Science in Sign Language from Sinclair Community College and has completed all but her thesis toward a Master’s in Adaptive Physical Education at Wright State University. She is also a Certified Municipal Clerk.

Judy most enjoys collaborating with colleagues to navigate projects and helping residents connect with and better understand their local government.

     
The Village Clerk serves as the official recordkeeper for the Village of Yellow Springs and plays a key role in supporting the Village Council’s legislative process. Serving on a renewable three-year contract at the discretion of Village Council, the Clerk is responsible for publishing and recording all actions of Council, advertising public hearings and meetings, and maintaining the permanent records of the municipality.

The Clerk’s office also serves as a central point of information and communication for Village residents. Public records, files, and current topic information are available for review during regular business hours.

The Clerk prepares meeting agendas, records and maintains official minutes, and ensures that public records are accurate, complete, and accessible in accordance with Ohio law. The Clerk also provides procedural support during Council meetings and helps ensure transparency and compliance with public meeting requirements.

Residents may submit letters to Council through the Clerk, who will include them in the online meeting packet and forward them to the appropriate parties. To be included in the Council packet, letters must be received by 10:00 AM on the Friday preceding a Council meeting.
        

Contact The Clerk of Council

Public Records Request