Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir is a prominent Icelandic politician and the current Mayor of Reykjavík. She holds a Master of Science degree in Food and Nutrition from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, an Executive MBA from Reykjavík University, and a diploma in positive psychology from the University of Iceland.
Before entering politics, Heiða served as the Director of Food and Nutrition services at the National University Hospital from 2000 to 2015. She has also held leadership roles in various organizations, including President of the MS Society of Iceland, President of the Nordic MS Societies, and President of the Iceland Nutrition Society. Her political career began with the Social Democratic Alliance, where she chaired the Women ́s Movement from 2013 to 2015. She became a city councillor in Reykjavík in 2015 and has since led key initiatives such as the Reykjavík Violence Prevention Committee and the Reykjavík Welfare Council. In February 2017, she was elected Vice Chairman of the Social Democratic Alliance, a role she held until 2022.
On February 21, 2025, Heiða was appointed Mayor of Reykjavík as part of a coalition between the Social Democratic Party, the Pirate Party, the Socialist Party, the People ́s Party, and the Left-Green Party.The coalition focuses on enhancing basic services, improving quality of life, and expanding housing development for residents of all ages. Throughout her career, Heiða has been a strong advocate for social welfare, gender equality, and community development, consistently working to improve the lives of Reykjavík ́s residents.
