After a four-month vacancy, the town has hired a new financial director to fill the role of second in command.
Donna Anderson has been working for the town since the last week of November and comes into the position with more than 20 years of municipal experience.
Speaking in an interview at the special council meeting on Dec. 31 – where she brought fudge for her colleagues and council – she said she feels like she’s “part of the family.”
“Doug and the team have treated me just perfect,” she said in the interview.
She noted that since taking on the position, her primary responsibilities have been grant reconciliation, year-end documents, budgeting and familiarizing herself with the people and the position.
Anderson said her experience includes working in a similar role for other municipalities, as well as running a consulting company that focuses primarily financial work for communities as well as strategic planning. She said she “cut her teeth” in the Town of Slave Lake as the financial supervisor, and from there she grew into directorships and management positions. She also said she worked at the Municipal District of Opportunity.
Melody Wolansky was the town’s former second in command as the former assistant chief administrative officer. She had worked for the town for 18 years when she left in February citing “stress and frustration.”
Former CAO Josh Pyrcz then changed the position’s title and hired former interim financial director Rodney Boyko to work on contract for the town from February to July. When Pyrcz stepped down from his position weeks later, the two vacancies left the town in lurch, as the person in that position would normally fill the shoes of the provincially-required CAO until a replacement could be found.
Anderson acknowledged that the role has its challenges.
“There are challenges, but there’s nothing better than a challenge to sort of inspire an individual,” Anderson said.
