Amelia Stinson-Wesley
Amelia Stinson-Wesley is an American Methodist minister and nonpartisan politician who currently serves as the Mayor of Pineville, North Carolina. She has dedicated her life to a BLEND of civic governance, community advocacy, and pastoral leadership.
Current Role as Mayor
Stinson-Wesley assumed office as the Mayor of Pineville following the municipal election on November 4, 2025. She secured the position after the incumbent mayor withdrew from the race earlier that year. She is currently navigating her first term with a primary focus on expanding the town's local amenities and improving community connectivity.
Early Political Career & School Board Service
Her path in public service began significantly earlier when she was selected by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education. In January 2012, she was appointed to represent District 6—which covers south Charlotte, Pineville, Matthews, and Mint Hill. She held this role through December 2013, focusing heavily on local public school advocacy.
Pineville Town Council Tenure
Following her time on the school board, she turned her attention directly to municipal governance in her home town. She successfully ran for a seat on the Pineville Town Council, winning election in November 2019. She served as a town council member for six years, a tenure that directly laid the groundwork for her eventual mayoral campaign.
Academic Background
Her diverse career is backed by a strong academic foundation in religious studies and theology. She completed her undergraduate studies at Meredith College, earning a Bachelor of Arts in religion. Looking to further her theological education, she attended Duke University, where she graduated with a Master of Divinity.
Pastoral Leadership and Ministry
Stinson-Wesley is an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church, having received her ordination in 1992. Over her decades of service, she has led multiple congregations in the region. She currently serves as the senior pastor at Memorial United Methodist Church, located on Central Avenue in east Charlotte.
Non-Profit Management and Advocacy
Beyond the pulpit, she has spent years working as an executive director in the non-profit sector. She has a long history of directing humanitarian organizations, including serving as the executive director of the non-profit World Connections for Women. Her non-profit portfolio focuses heavily on global health, community outreach, and economic empowerment.
Violence Prevention Efforts
A core component of her personal mission is advocating for vulnerable women and children. She previously served as the executive director of a battered women's shelter and rape crisis center. Through these roles, she became a public speaker and writer focused on crisis management and the prevention of domestic violence.
Civic and Advisory Board Contributions
Stinson-Wesley has continually donated her time to local administrative and advisory groups. Her past civic appointments include positions on the Town Parks and Rec Advisory Board, the Emergency Shelter Task Force of Mecklenburg County, and the Airport Community Roundtable. She has also served on the board for the local President James K. Polk State Historic Site.
Vision for Pineville
As mayor, Stinson-Wesley promotes a clear civic strategy aimed at balanced municipal development. She has consistently advocated for creating a walkable town center and supporting a thriving downtown merchant ecosystem. Her platform emphasizes robust maintenance of the local parks system to ensure a high quality of life for residents.
Stinson-Wesley has been a resident of Pineville for roughly 18 years. She shares her home with her husband, Tom, who is also a Methodist pastor serving a congregation in the Charlotte area. Together, they raised two children who attended Pineville Elementary and went on to graduate from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system.