Chief Administrative Officer Joe Mancina Announces Upcoming Retirement After 35 Years of Service to the City of Windsor

Staffing Updates for Windsor’s Corporate Leadership Team

The City of Windsor is announcing the upcoming retirement of Joe Mancina, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), effective May 1, 2025, following an impressive 35 years of service to the community. 

Mancina’s dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to the city have made a lasting impact on the growth and success of Windsor. Throughout his career, Mancina has demonstrated an exceptional ability to guide the City’s Administration, working collaboratively with staff, elected officials, and community stakeholders. His significant contributions over the years have played a vital role in delivering on numerous major projects and initiatives and building a strong and healthy financial profile for the City which has helped shape Windsor into the vibrant community that it is today.

Mancina’s career with the City of Windsor began in 1989, when he joined the management team of the City’s Finance Department. He advanced through several positions of increasing responsibility within the Corporation over many years until his appointment as Commissioner of Corporate Services, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and City Treasurer in 2016. Over the years, he has held various senior leadership positions, earning the respect and admiration of his colleagues and the public. He was named CAO in 2023, with his time in the role marked by a strong focus on fiscal responsibility, improving the quality of life for all Windsor residents, building a strong and resilient workforce, advancing several key projects and initiatives, and ensuring the City’s efficient operation. A native of Windsor-Essex, Mancina is a graduate of the Odette School of Business at the University of Windsor, a Certified Professional Accountant (CPA), an Accredited Municipal Clerk/Treasurer (AMCT) and a Certified Municipal Manager (CMM) with the Ontario Municipal Management Institute. 

“As I step down from my role as CAO, I want to express my deepest gratitude for the incredible opportunity to serve this community,” said CAO Joe Mancina. “It has been an honour and privilege to work alongside such dedicated colleagues and public servants, and I am extremely proud of all we've accomplished together. Under the guidance of our Mayor and City Council we have collectively built a strong, resilient and vibrant city and I look forward to seeing its continued growth and success well into the future. I will always remain committed to supporting the future of our community in any way I can as Windsor is and will always remain home."

Under his leadership as CAO, Mancina has built a strong team supporting Mayor Dilkens and City Council through a period of remarkable progress and unprecedented growth. His legacy will continue to resonate long after his retirement. The City of Windsor extends its deepest gratitude to Joe Mancina for his remarkable service and tireless dedication to the betterment of the community, wishes him all the best in his well-deserved retirement, and thanks him for his outstanding contributions to the Corporation of the City of Windsor and the community that it serves. 

“Joe Mancina has been a trusted colleague since I was first elected to Council in 2006 and has been a strong source of guidance and support to me throughout my time as mayor,” said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens. “When Joe stepped into the CAO role in 2023, I welcomed his wealth of experience and professionalism, and relied on him to help Windsor take advantage of the incredible opportunities that were ahead of us. Through a continued commitment to fiscal responsibility, the City has saved Windsor taxpayers a cumulative $1.47 billion from 2008 to 2024; and Joe, through his various leadership roles, has been a big part of the winning formula that has allowed us to achieve this goal. As CAO and former CFO, he helped lead the corporation out of COVID-19, and ensured we maintained a strong and stable financial position. With a focus on financing efforts to Building Windsor’s Future, Joe has helped guide and deliver on Council’s strategic investments in infrastructure, growth, and sustainability, while ensuring that Windsor remains one of the most attractive and affordable cities of its size in Ontario.” 

Corporate Leadership Team Updates

As a result of Mr. Mancina’s retirement, the following staffing changes will occur at the City of Windsor:

Effective March 1, 2025, Raymond Mensour, current Commissioner of Community & Corporate Services, will become a Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for the Corporation while continuing to provide oversight over his existing Community & Corporate Services portfolios. Effective May 1, 2025, Mr. Mensour will assume the role of Chief Administrative Officer following the retirement of Mr. Mancina. Raymond Mensour began his career with the City of Windsor in 2014 as Manager of the WFCU Centre. In 2017, he was promoted to Executive Director of Parks, Recreation & Culture, and Facilities. He became the Commissioner of that division, later restructured to become Community Services, in 2021, which included the addition of Fire and Library Services. In 2024, Mensour’s responsibilities expanded to include the Commissioner of Corporate Services in addition to his Community Services portfolio. Mensour’s 23 years of municipal government experience includes working for the City of Greater Sudbury in various management roles.

Effective March 1, 2025, Jelena Payne, current Commissioner of Economic Development, will become a Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for the Corporation, while continuing to oversee the Economic Development portfolio. Payne began her career with the City of Windsor in 2012 as Commissioner of Community Development and Health Services. In that role, she also led the City’s Recreation & Culture portfolio. In 2022, she was named Commissioner of Economic Development. 

Effective May 1, 2025, Andrew Daher, current Commissioner of Human and Health Services, will become the new Commissioner of Corporate Services for the Corporation. Daher began his career with the City in 2004 as a financial analyst. Over the years, he has served as a financial planning administrator, Manager of Financial Planning, Manager of Provincial Offences, and Manager of the WFCU Centre and Recreation Facilities. In 2018, Daher was named Executive Director of Employment and Social Services. He was promoted to Commissioner of Human and Health Services in 2022. 

Effective May 1, 2025, Michael Chantler, current Senior Executive Director of Community Services, will become the new Commissioner of Community Services for the Corporation. Chantler began his career with the City of Windsor in 1999 at the Convention & Visitors Bureau where he served as an Account Executive and Supervisor of Member Services and Communications. In 2009, he became the City’s Supervisor of Licensing and Deputy Licence Commissioner. In 2014, after working as the General Manager of the Ontario Summer Games, Chantler moved into the Recreation & Culture portfolio as Assistant Manager of the Windsor International Aquatic and Training Centre and Adventure Bay Family Water Park presented by WFCU Credit Union. In 2019, he served as General Manager of Roseland Golf & Curling Club and later became Manager of Aquatics in 2021. Chantler was the Chief Executive Officer of the Windsor Public Library in 2023 and was named Senior Executive Director of Community Services in 2024.

Effective May 1, 2025, Dana Paladino, current Senior Executive Director of Corporate Services, will become the acting Commissioner of Human and Health Services for the Corporation. Paladino began her career with the City of Windsor in 2010 as Legal Counsel, before becoming Supervisor of Risk Management in 2011. She was named Manager of Risk and Insurance in 2014 and was appointed Deputy City Solicitor in 2019. In 2022, Paladino added the role of Executive Director of Human Resources to her title. She served as Chief Executive Officer of the Windsor Public Library in 2023, before being selected to lead Corporate Services in various capacities from 2023 to the present day.

Rounding out the Corporate Leadership Team, Janice Guthrie will continue in her role as Commissioner of Finance and City Treasurer; and David Simpson will continue in his role as Commissioner of Infrastructure Services and City Engineer.