The City Mississauga has selected Shari Lichterman as its new City Manager and Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), effective May 10, 2023. She was appointed unanimously by a vote of City Council on May 10, 2023, following a national search led by an independent firm.Lichterman has been the Commissioner of Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer for the City since June 2021. She replaces Paul Mitcham, who retired in February 2023. Lichterman served as Acting City Manager between February and May.
“On behalf of Council, please join me in congratulating Shari on her new role as City Manager and CAO. Her wealth of private sector experience combined with her knowledge across the corporation uniquely positions her to best advance the priorities of Ontario’s third largest city. Shari is always looking for better, more efficient ways to do business and over the years has identified millions in savings for taxpayers, helped streamline service delivery while making our annual budgeting process easier to understand for both residents and businesses,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “I’m confident she will be a great fit to help lead our staff and our city into the future while addressing some of the real challenges before us.”
As City Manager and CAO, Lichterman will advance key Council and City priorities including the refresh of the Strategic Plan; the City’s Housing Plan; equity, diversity and inclusion efforts; responding to the province’s financial audits and working with the soon to be appointed provincial facilitators reviewing regional governance, among many others.
“I’m excited to take on this new role and the challenges it will bring,” said Shari Lichterman. “It’s an honour to lead the outstanding staff team who deliver services to our residents every day. I look forward to working together with Mayor and Council to advance the City’s priorities and to continue to build a great City.”
In her role as City Manager and CAO, Lichterman will be the most senior public servant and will report directly to City Council, overseeing the operations, services and programs delivered by the corporation. She will be supported by her leadership team of four commissioners and extended leadership team of directors.
In her most recent role as Commissioner of Corporate Service and Chief Financial Officer, Lichterman managed a portfolio, which included Finance, Facilities and Property Management, Corporate Business Services, Human Resources, Information Technology and Legislative Services. Prior to that, Lichterman served as the City’s Commissioner of Community Services, a portfolio which included Recreation, Parks, Forestry and Environment, Fire and Emergency Services, Culture, Library and Tourism and as the Director of Recreation leading a number of strategic plans and major projects.
Before joining the City of Mississauga, Lichterman served as Vice-President of Eastern Operations at Canlan Sports and also spent a decade as co-owner of a consulting and management firm providing services in Canada and the United States.
Lichterman has a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from Carleton University as well as designations as a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Management Accountant. She also has a Masters Certificate in Municipal Leadership from the Schulich School of Business at York University and has served on the Board of Directors for Parks and Recreation Ontario for the past five years, currently as Board Chair.
Lichterman is a proud resident of Mississauga where she lives with her husband and two children.
