Before she ever thought about serving on the city council, Amanda Maxwell was an election judge.

“I loved meeting people one on one, checking them in and seeing the same people year after year. It was quite rewarding,” she said.

Now Maxwell has joined Minnetonka’s city council giving the city all-female leadership for the first time in its history. She emerged as the top candidate to represent Ward 2 following an appointment process that involved 20 applicants. The seat became vacant following Rebecca Schack’s election as mayor.

Maxwell has a busy life beyond serving the city. She is a research and development manager for medical device maker Boston Scientific, leading a team of engineers and technicians.

“I pride myself on creating a culture where you are allowed to experiment, which means you have a hypothesis. You can fail, you can try again, but you have to make data-based decisions with good integrity,” Maxwell said.

Ward 2 includes the Ridgedale area and is connected by a growing network of trails regularly used by her family. She recalls biking to the University of Minnesota while studying to receive her PhD in chemistry.

“These are my neighbors. That’s where I am every day. It’s where my kids bike around and play,” she said. Maxwell enjoys the diversity of her ward from the different types of development and businesses to the residents who live there. “I feel just really called to be the voice of the people.”

Maxwell was serving as the chair of the Minnetonka Planning Commission when the council approved her appointment in March. Her council term runs through December 2027.