John Giles served as the Mayor of Mesa, Arizona from 2014 to 2025, leading a decade of transformative progress for the state’s third-largest city. Bloomberg Philanthropies wrote, “Widely recognized for his forward-looking leadership, he positioned Mesa as a model for how cities can grow their economies, invest in residents, and prepare for the future.”
Under his leadership, Mesa achieved historic economic growth, including the expansion of Arizona State University into downtown Mesa— a catalyst for millions of dollars in investment and a vibrant downtown revitalization. Mayor Giles also championed a landmark nondiscrimination ordinance that helped attract several Fortune 50 companies to Mesa, creating thousands of new, high-quality jobs.
During his tenure, he launched Mesa College Promise, providing free college tuition for eligible Mesa students, and expanded access to early childhood education through the city’s free pre-kindergarten program. He also advanced bold sustainability goals through a new Climate Action Plan.
Today, Giles serves as a Mayoral Ambassador for Bloomberg Philanthropies and practices government relations law with Udall Shumway. He finds his greatest joy in spending time with his ten grandchildren, traveling with his wife, Dawn, and exploring Arizona’s trails.