June 7, 2021
The City of Mississauga has selected Shari Lichterman as its new Commissioner of Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer effective June 16, 2021, following an internal and external search. Lichterman has been the Commissioner of Community Services for the City since May 2020. She replaces Gary Kent, who recently left the City for a position with the Region of Peel.
“I am pleased to welcome Shari to her new role,” said Paul Mitcham, City Manager and Chief Administrative Officer. “Shari has a proven track record in the City, having helped onboard Tourism Mississauga and the Living Arts Centre while overseeing a diverse portfolio of programs and services. She led Community Services through the last year of the COVID-19 pandemic and is well positioned to guide the Corporate Services department in supporting the City’s efforts to build back better. Shari brings to this role her strong financial and political acumen and results-driven approach as well as her commitment to providing exceptional customer service and developing talent, and her strong leadership skills.”
In her role as Commissioner, Lichterman will report to the City Manager and will oversee the following divisions: Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Strategic Communications, Revenue and Materiel Management, Legislative Services/Office of the City Clerk and Facilities and Property Management. These business areas deliver services to residents and provide critical support functions to other City divisions and departments. Lichterman will also serve as the Chief Financial Officer for the corporation. Jodi Robillos, Director, Parks, Forestry and Environment, will take on the role of Acting Commissioner, Community Services in the interim. An internal and external search for the permanent position of Commissioner, Community Services will begin after Labour Day.
“I am excited to take this step in my career with the City of Mississauga and am committed to continuing to provide residents and our business areas with great customer service and access to important City services and resources,” said Lichterman. “In my new role, I look forward to working with all Corporate Services staff and the City’s Leadership Team and continuing to work closely with Mayor and Council.”
In her most recent role as Commissioner of Community Services, Lichterman has managed a portfolio which included Recreation, Parks, Forestry and Environment, Fire and Emergency Services, Culture, Library and Tourism. Prior to that role, she served as Director of Recreation for five years with the City, 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 three years.
Lichterman is a proud resident of Mississauga where she lives with her husband and two children.