Janet Cowell is from Memphis, Tennessee. She has a bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the Wharton School of Business. She has lived in Raleigh since 1997.

Janet Cowell | Raleighnc.gov

Janet Cowell is from Memphis, Tennessee. She has a bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a master's in business admininistration from the Wharton School of Business. She has lived in Raleigh since 1997.

Janet previously served as North Carolina State Treasurer, where she managed the state pension fund. She has also worked as a lobbyist and a consultant.

Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell discusses federal funding, economic ...

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Janet is the director of New Republic Partners, a multi-family office and private bank. Previously she was chief executive officer of Dix Park Conservancy, director of ChannelAdvisor, director of James River Insurance Company, chief executive officer of Girls Who Invest, and a consultant for various organizations.

Janet is currently the mayor of Raleigh. Before serving as mayor, she served on the Raleigh City Council, in the North Carolina Senate, and as North Carolina State Treasurer.

As State Treasurer, ensured the AAA bond rating for North Carolina and Raleigh through diligent oversight of taxes, spending, and debt.

As State Treasurer, worked to ensure the AAA bond rating for North Carolina and Raleigh through oversight of taxes, spending, and debt.

- As State Treasurer, worked to ensure the AAA bond rating for North Carolina and Raleigh through oversight of taxes, spending, and debt.

Economy

Plans to collaborate with the City Council and Wake County to improve programs aimed at preserving the tree canopy and open spaces.

Plans to collaborate with the city council and Wake County to improve programs aimed at preserving the tree canopy and open spaces.

Plans to collaborate with Wake County to provide sufficient emergency shelter beds for the unhoused and with nonprofits to redirect individuals with mental health issues from hospitals to appropriate services.

- Plans to collaborate with the city council and Wake County to improve programs aimed at preserving the tree canopy and open spaces.
- Plans to collaborate with Wake County to provide sufficient emergency shelter beds for the unhoused and with nonprofits to redirect individuals with mental health issues from hospitals to appropriate services.

Public Services

Supports collaboration with nonprofits to build affordable housing for low-income families.

Believes the city should improve processes to rehabilitate existing housing to ensure it is habitable and safe.

Plans to address housing affordability by diversifying housing options throughout the city.

- Supports collaboration with nonprofits to build affordable housing for low-income families.
- Believes the city should improve processes to rehabilitate existing housing to ensure it is habitable and safe.
- Plans to address housing affordability by diversifying housing options throughout the city.

Housing & Urban Development

Supports investing in the police department and offering competitive pay to officers.

Supports the Raleigh CARES crisis response team, which provides emergency assistance.

- Supports investing in the police department and offering competitive pay to officers.
- Supports the Raleigh CARES crisis response team, which provides emergency assistance.

Public Safety

Supports investing in infrastructure, including water, sewer, and public transportation, to reduce traffic congestion.

- Supports investing in infrastructure, including water, sewer, and public transportation, to reduce traffic congestion.

Transportation & Infrastructure

As of January 2, 2026, Janet Cowell’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Education

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Janet Cowell

- The mayor leads the executive branch of local government, presiding over city council meetings, making sure city departments run smoothly, and providing services to citizens. 
- The mayor attends and runs City Council meetings, serving as an important leader for how local laws get set. These laws affect local services, such as Police, City Planning, Parks & Recreation, and Transportation.  
- The Mayor in some circumstances may vote to break a tie in council meetings. They do not have veto power.