MARISA CARPIN Making history as Pickering’srst fi femaleCAO
S T O R Y B Y: Audra Leslie | P H O T O B Y: David Leyes
“While Marisa’s distinguished career and significant number of accomplishments here at the City are to be lauded, I truly believe that she is only getting started,” Mayor Dave Ryan said of her February 2021 appointment. “With her leadership, we fully expect the corporation to achieve even greater results.” The CAO is responsible for the strategic leadership of the Corporation of the City of Pickering and works in consultation with City Council, the community and various partners to strengthen the city in the manner in which it delivers services and programs to residents and stakeholders. “I recognize that a supportive work environment, built on mutual respect and accountability, is critical to the development of a dynamic, effective and productive staff team and that is how I will lead as CAO,” Marisa says.
W
hen Marisa Carpino landed an entrylevel job at the City of Pickering in 1995 after completing graduate studies in recreation and leisure services, she never imagined she’d onedaybecomeitsChiefAdministrativeOcer.
Over the past 25 years, I have experienced Pickering’s evolution into one of the most dynamic cities in all of Ontario.
“I believed in myself and was determined to work my way up in the organization,” Marisa says of the job that served as a building block in a rewarding career in municipal government. “I committed to seizing every opportunity that came my way and accepted new responsibilities and challenges with an open mind and a curious attitude.”
Marisa continues to champion opportunities for meaningful community engagement, prioritizing collaboration with members of the public and stakeholder groups in shaping the Pickering of the future. Namely, the City’s Facebook Live Events and virtual Speaker Series events have been wildly popular as the community conversation continues around the new services, programs, facilities, and developments that are introducing a never-before-seen energy and dynamic to Pickering.
The City of Pickering is developing a Corporate Workplan & Strategic Plan that will be instrumental in creating a blueprint for More than 25 years later, that signature tenacity and curiosity municipal activities and priorities and informing our allocation of continue to serve Marisa – and the City of Pickering – well. She resources. Marisa’s to-do list includes overseeing several exciting has achieved admirable results in everything from service delivery, projects that will further transform our city into one that’s even nancial fi managementandstrategicplanningtoorganizational more connected, vibrant and sustainable. reviews and audits, earning the respect of her colleagues and “Over the past 25 years, I have experienced Pickering’s evolution into one community along the way. of the most dynamic cities in all of Ontario,” she says. “Pickering is on In her roles as Deputy CAO and Interim CAO, Marisa proved the cusp of tremendous growth and opportunity due to transformative herself up for a challenge unlike any other. She led Pickering’s development projects such as Seaton, Durham Live and the Innovation COVID-19 response and oversaw the seamless transition of City Corridor, to name only a few,” Marisa notes. Hall to an online business and service model while also advancing Pickering City Centre is undergoing a bold transformation that will several key economic and community initiatives, including the include a performing arts centre, a relocated and expanded central development of the Anti-Black Racism Taskforce, and the launch library, a combined seniors’ and youth centre, condominium towers, of the City’s new digital community engagement platform, and a vibrant public square. “The City Centre project is one that is LetsTalkPickering.ca. going to bring the city to new levels, encompassing an age-in-place theory When it came time to appoint a permanent CAO in early 2021, an where we can all live, work and play throughout your lifetime,” Marisa executive search consultant conducted a nation-wide search that enthuses. attracted nearly 100 candidates. Marisa’s proven track record and Her can-do attitude and commitment to Pickering ensures we all have her vision for a progressive, prosperous and inclusive Pickering something to look forward to in the city we’re proud to call home. earned the Mayor and City Council’s stamp of approval. 10 | Your City Magazine - Issue 2
