Back to SearchLong-term employee and City Chief Administrative Officer Shelley Chemnitz will retire in July 2021.
In 2017, Ms. Chemnitz became the City’s CAO after years of financial, administrative and leadership experience, previously serving as the Commissioner of Corporate Support Services and City Treasurer. “CAO Chemnitz has been an outstanding leader for our City – especially over the past nine months as we managed our way through COVID-19,” said Mayor Walter Sendzik. “She rose to the unprecedented challenges facing St. Catharines with a decisive determination to keep our staff and community safe and a depth of empathy and understanding that proved to be a steady hand of leadership in uncharted waters.”
Born and raised in St. Catharines and completing her education at Brock University, Ms. Chemnitz brought a lot of Garden City knowledge and pride to the role of CAO in addition to her nearly 30 years of experience working for the municipality.
“St. Catharines is a growing, dynamic city and it has been an honour to be in a position where my career fully centred on making a difference in my hometown,” said Ms. Chemnitz. “I am proud of what has been accomplished. While deciding the right time to retire is not simple, as there is always more work to do, I am confident the City will continue to move forward in a positive direction.”
During the pandemic, Ms. Chemnitz said the City has faced many challenges and staff have found new and innovative ways to continue to deliver services and programs to the community. She will continue to support those efforts over the coming months.
The role of CAO is a key position at City Hall, serving as the link between City Council and City administration. The CAO oversees the senior management team and is responsible for delivering City Council’s long-term strategy and vision.
“Having learned of Shelley’s decision to retire at the end of her contract in 2021 at Council on Monday night, Council was unequivocal in its praise of her leadership and contribution to the city over the many years she has worked at the City of St. Catharines,” explained Sendzik. “Her many achievements as CAO, her integrity and professionalism that she brought to the position and her ability to build an outstanding leadership team will be a hallmark of her tenure as CAO. We are a better city because of CAO Chemnitz.”
A succession planning report will be presented to Council in the new year to provide direction on how best to move forward with filling the role of the CAO.
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