Published: 7/5/2023 5:49:57 PM
Modified: 7/5/2023 5:46:44 PM
GREENFIELD — Following Dani Letourneau’s departure at the end of this week, Finance Director Diana Schindler will step in as the mayor’s interim chief of staff.
“Director Schindler’s extensive experience in municipal government makes her uniquely qualified to assume this role as the interim chief of staff,” Mayor Roxann Wedegartner said in a statement. “I greatly appreciate her willingness to take on the additional duties of this important position.”
The chief of staff supports city operations, including managing all city departments and coordinating special projects at the mayor’s discretion. This person also performs various management duties involving budgeting, collective bargaining, purchasing and implementing all policies set by the mayor.
Schindler succeeded Elizabeth “Liz” Gilman as finance director in November 2022, and oversaw department heads during the fiscal year 2024 budget process. Prior to that, she was town administrator in Hopedale, but also held administrative roles in Deerfield, Orange and Colrain, totaling 25 years of municipal experience. The Greenfield native also worked in financial management with the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG).
“I appreciate the mayor’s confidence in my capacity to handle these substantial responsibilities in the interim,” Schindler said. “I’m committed to supporting the mayor’s tremendous efforts and to supporting the city to the best of my ability.”
Letourneau announced her intent to resign in June, citing the need for time off after a difficult few years working through the pandemic. Wedegartner said at the time that her plan was to name someone internally for the interim role before beginning a search for a replacement.
Letourneau’s involvement with the mayor began when Wedegartner announced her candidacy for the position in early 2019. Wedegartner was elected that November. Prior to that, Letourneau was vice president of client services at a media distribution company and before that, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Franklin County. She served on the 13-member City Council from 2006 to 2011, under the previous two mayors.
Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.
