After an extensive recruitment process, Ottawa City Council has selected Wendy Stephanson as the new City Manager. She officially assumes the role for five years, starting on Friday, September 1.
As City Manager, Ms. Stephanson serves as Council’s Chief Administrative Officer leading the organization to deliver services across more than 100 distinct lines of business through 10 departments and 17,000 employees. Ms. Stephanson’s immediate focus is to work with the Mayor, Members of Council and City staff to deliver quality, reliable service, advance Council’s priorities, increase accountability and transparency, and strengthen public trust and confidence in the City of Ottawa.
Ms. Stephanson is a strong financial steward who has devoted her entire career to public service. With 28 years at the City of Ottawa, she has held several key leadership roles within the organization, most recently as Interim City Manager and Chief Financial Officer. As Interim City Manager, Ms. Stephanson spearheaded the development of the 2023 Budget which received unanimous approval by Council in March. In addition, Ms. Stephanson worked alongside Mayor Sutcliffe and City Councillors to develop the 2023-2026 Term of Council Priorities that sets Council’s vision for the future of Ottawa as it continues to evolve into a prosperous, sustainable, inclusive and resilient city. As Chief Financial Officer, Ms. Stephanson was responsible for all financial aspects of the corporation, including the development of the $4.14 billion operating and $985 million capital budgets.
Background
Ms. Stephanson brings a wealth of financial and administrative experience to the position, as she has held several high-profile leadership positions during her 28 years with the City of Ottawa, including Interim City Manager, Chief Financial Officer and Deputy Treasurer for Revenue Services.
Throughout her tenure with the City of Ottawa, Ms. Stephanson has established strong, collaborative relationships across the organization, local industry partners and key stakeholders at all levels of government. She is an accomplished leader who has a proven track record of developing, empowering and guiding diverse teams of people to deliver quality service.
In addition to her role with the City of Ottawa, Ms. Stephanson has made significant impacts across the Province of Ontario. Through her collaboration with the Ontario Municipal Tax and Revenue Association’s (OMTRA) Education Committee, educational material for the Municipal Tax and Revenue Administration program was developed and administered by Seneca College. This work was also included in the re-developed Municipal Practitioner’s Guide to the Tax Sale Process that is used by municipal and legal professionals throughout Ontario. In 2017, Ms. Stephanson received a Province of Ontario Volunteer Service Award for these contributions.
Ms. Stephanson holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Carleton University, is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and Certified Municipal Revenue Professional (CMRP). She is an active member of the Ontario Municipal Tax and Revenue Association, where she currently serves as a director on the board.
Quotes
“I am delighted to announce Wendy Stephanson as our new City Manager, and the first woman in this senior leadership role for the City of Ottawa. I’m very much looking forward to working together to make our city safer, more reliable and more affordable.”
Mayor Mark Sutcliffe
“It is my great honour to serve as City Manager. I am proud to lead Team Ottawa as we work together to deliver on Council’s vision of creating a prosperous, sustainable, inclusive and resilient city.”
City Manager Wendy Stephanson
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