A Mayor with a Sense of Mindfulness

There are encounters that reveal more than a story—they illuminate a way of being. My recent conversation with Hudson’s Mayor, Chloe Hutchison, re-elected for another four-year term, was one of those rare moments when biography meets presence, and the personal journey becomes inseparable from the place one serves.

Chloe’s early years unfolded across European landscapes—Geneva’s serene order, the gentle countryside between Lyon and the Swiss border—where her parents had moved when she was young. She describes them as magnetic, a word that carries emotional resonance. Magnetic people hold space with intention: they are fully present, deeply attentive, and grounded in authenticity. It is from this lineage of presence that Chloe draws her own quiet strength, her commitment to balance, and her understanding of consensus as an art form.

Her mother’s family first arrived in Canada from England in 1750. After more than five generations, their roots have intertwined with the land, the history, and the spirit of Hudson. In Chloe’s mind, becoming mayor was not an accident but an unfolding—another chapter in a long and intimate relationship between her family and this place.

At eleven, when her parents divorced, Chloe entered a formative chapter. Her father continued his work as a freelance journalist and writer, while her mother—whom Chloe speaks of with deep admiration—pursued competitive horseback riding with remarkable dedication. She cared for horses, trained rigorously, and lived with a discipline shaped by movement, intuition, and trust.

It is no surprise, then, that Chloe followed her mother’s path. After moving to Hudson at fourteen, she immersed herself in competitive riding. Horses became teachers—of humility, patience, and attunement. To ride is to listen: to the rhythm beneath you, to subtle shifts in energy, to the natural silence where communication happens without words. This attentiveness has shaped her worldview. It has also given her a form of mindfulness that now permeates her leadership.

Her academic journey reflects the same determination. At John Abbott College, she thrived in art classes but quickly realized that Fine Arts offered too little challenge. She sought something more demanding and eventually enrolled at Carleton University, completing her missing science credits in parallel. She graduated with High Honours in Architecture—a discipline that blends creativity with the rigor of structure. Architecture led her naturally toward urban planning, heritage, and the stewardship of place. Though she has paused her master’s studies in urban design, the sensibility remains at the heart of her work.

Chloe’s vision for Hudson is rooted in an intangible yet powerful truth: things happen when people come together. Hudson’s identity—shaped by nature, history, and the character of its residents—thrives on this collective momentum. She recognizes the diverse priorities of different generations and understands the importance of staying close to those who call Hudson home.

Despite her shy nature, Chloe carries a steady resolve. With continuity in her mandate, she feels ready to advance the initiatives begun during her first term. There is a sense of calm determination in her words, as if she has found the rhythm of her leadership—much like a rider finding harmony with her horse.

Her responsibilities extend beyond Hudson. She serves as President of the Commission de la culture et du patrimoine of the Communauté Métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM) and sits on the special commission revising the metropolitan development plan (PMAD). These roles speak to her broader commitment to culture, heritage, and sustainable development.

At the heart of her approach is a philosophy shaped by years in the saddle: balance, intuition, and partnership. “Being a competitive rider is a partnership,” she reflected—a sentence that captures not only her athletic background but also her style of governance.

Chloe believes that Hudson’s character has been shaped by generations who lived with intention and civility. Today, as she guides the town into its next chapter, there is a call to renew its visual identity—a new logo that reflects what truly sets Hudson apart. Beyond its extraordinary natural landscape, Hudson’s essence lies in its spirit: a place where history, community, and nature weave together to form something quietly extraordinary.

This is the journey Chloe continues—one that is both personal and communal, shaped by lineage and shaped by place, rooted in presence and guided by a mindful hand.