Rochester deserves leadership that listens, brings people together, and delivers results.

Meet Dr. Walé Elegbede

Dr. Walé Elegbede is running for Mayor because Rochester deserves trusted, ethical leadership focused on affordability, opportunity, strong neighborhoods, and a city that works for everyone. With more than 20 years of leadership experience, Walé is known for bringing people together, building partnerships across the community and businesses, and delivering real results.

A strong advocate for the community, Walé has spent more than a decade listening to residents, supporting families, and helping lead efforts that strengthen trust, collaboration, inclusion, and opportunity across Rochester. He is widely respected as a high-character, trustworthy, and inclusive leader who believes leadership should always put people first.

Professionally, Walé is an innovator and healthcare strategy executive known for leading successful large-scale initiatives for some of the world’s largest organizations, including the largest furniture manufacturer in the world. His leadership and strategic expertise have also helped support small business growth and operational efficiencies valued at more than $30 million. A thought leader, with many certifications including Certified Project Management Professional and a Prosci Certified Change Practitioner, he has successfully led $100M+ initiatives and is recognized for turning vision into reality. Dr. Walé Elegbede holds a Doctor of Education ( EdD) in Ethical Leadership, Master of Business Administration with Ethical Leadership Emphasis, and Bachelors Degree in Information Systems. Dr. Walé Elegbede is married to Dr. Audrey Elegbede. They have three children with their youngest attending Rochester Public Schools.

Meet Walé Elegbede

You Matter

The best solutions come from listening to the people who live, work, raise families, and build community here every day.

Whether your concerns involve housing, public safety, economic opportunity, small businesses, youth programs, transportation, downtown development, education, community trust, or quality of life — I want to hear directly from you.

This campaign is about building Rochester together.

Tell me what matters most to you, your family, and your neighborhood. I want to hear your ideas, concerns, and hopes for Rochester’s future.

Share Your Ideas

Top Priorities

Rochester is growing and changing, and our city deserves leadership that listens, brings people together, and focuses on real solutions that improve everyday life. My priorities are centered on creating a safer, more affordable, inclusive, and opportunity-filled Rochester for everyone — from families and seniors to students, workers, businesses, and future generations.

I believe we can build a stronger city by investing in affordable housing, people, small businesses, innovation, public safety, and stronger community trust. We must also protect human dignity and create pathways for education, workforce development, and economic opportunity. These priorities are rooted in service, collaboration, accountability, and a deep commitment to community.

Below are several of the key priorities that will guide my leadership as Mayor.

View Full Platform Priorities

Affordable Housing & Cost of living

A Welcoming Rochester:  Belonging, Equity & Opportunity for All

Small Business & Economic Opportunity

Donate Today.

Every contribution matters and together, let’s build Rochester’s Future.

This campaign is powered by people who believe Rochester deserves leadership that listens, brings people together, and delivers results for our entire community.

Your contribution will help us reach voters, strengthen community engagement, and build a campaign rooted in trust, service, and opportunity for all.

Every contribution matters. Will you support our movement today?

For checks or other forms of payments, please mail to Walé Elegbede for Mayor of Rochester , P.O. Box 6842, Rochester, MN 55903

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Testimonials

  • A Servant Leader & Distinguished Alumni

    University of Wisconsin–La Crosse: “A Servant Leader”

    —The University of Wisconsin–La Crosse recognized Walé Elegbede as a servant leader whose work has extended far beyond professional success. Through his leadership in healthcare, community engagement, interfaith collaboration, and social justice advocacy, Walé has consistently demonstrated a commitment to serving others, building bridges across differences, and creating meaningful impact within communities.

    The university highlighted both his professional accomplishments and his humanitarian leadership, recognizing his ability to lead with humility, compassion, integrity, and purpose. Whether advancing innovation in healthcare, mentoring others, or standing alongside communities during moments of division and uncertainty, Walé’s leadership has remained grounded in service to people.

  • An Innovator and Business Leader

    INC 5000 Recognition: Wale’s Lumbergear Software Mentioned in INC 5000

    —Driven by a business and entrepreneurial spirit, Walé co-founded a software company and independently developed Lumbergear, an ERP and manufacturing management software platform for the lumber industry that was recognized in the 2007 edition of the INC 5000. His work in innovation and operational transformation helped drive measurable business outcomes, contributing to 84% revenue growth totaling $30.3 million for a client.

    Through his leadership in systems development, process improvement, and technology innovation, Walé also helped improve efficiency, strengthen operations, and support the success of numerous businesses across multiple industries.

  • A Visionary and Values- Based Leader

    PM Solutions: “What He Said: Rules of Engagement..”

    —PM Solutions highlighted Walé Elegbede’s leadership, recognizing his values-driven approach to leadership, employee engagement, and organizational transformation. The editor described him as a leader who genuinely embodied humility, authenticity, and service through his leadership style.

    “Not only is the visionary work of the CRM inspiring, but I was impressed by the PMO leader, Wale Elegbede, PMP. When he said, “Leadership is influence. Values are the North Star,” his demeanor and humility as a presenter made me feel that he was a leader who truly walked his talk.”

  • A Leader and a Fighter

    —Minnesota Star Tribune: Thanks, Rochester, for not playing the ‘Minnesota Nice’ game

    Columnist Myron Medcalf recognized Walé’s persistence, leadership, and commitment to protecting vulnerable members of the community, emphasizing his efforts to ensure Rochester would not ignore acts of hatred or discrimination. The article described Walé as a leader deeply committed to fairness, democracy, community transformation, and standing against racism and injustice.

    “I called Elegbede to commend him, his organization, the city of Rochester and others who pushed for legal penalties against Shiloh Hendrix. She’s the woman who used a racial slur against a young boy at a local park last spring.”

  • ICE OUT OF MINNESOTA

    MPR News: Rochester residents voice fear, anger and angst over continued ICE presence

    When many leaders were silent, Wale Elegbede was out front condemning ICE and supporting our Rochester community.

    — “Elegbede says the recent events harken back to some of the darkest chapters in history, such as the decades of apartheid in South Africa. He grew up in Nigeria under a military dictatorship, and he urged Rochester residents to not give into apathy.”

    “In the moment that we're living in, we are seeing children being terrorized — immigrants who have committed no crimes, business owners just going to work, students going to school, doctors going to take their patients. In the moment we're living in, the United States — the government — is racially profiling and targeting individuals based solely on the color of your skin.”

  • Community Servant and Bridge Builder

    La Crosse Tribune Editorial Board: Our view: Thumbs-up to community servants

    The La Crosse Tribune recognized Walé Elegbede for fostering open dialogue, standing against discrimination, and helping bring communities together across faiths and cultures during challenging times

    — “Thumbs-up the Community Conversation series in La Crosse that has fostered open discussion of critical issues in today’s world, and thumbs-up to Wale Elegbede for his speech last week about the Muslim faith. “