Michelle Banfield

1. What is your role and what does a typical day look like for you?  

I am the Executive Director of Development Services at the City of Barrie, overseeing a team of more than sixty professionals across policy, land use, transportation and parks planning, engineering approvals, traffic services, and community safety. Each day is different, but there are weekly rhythms shaped by Council, Committee of Adjustment, and leadership meetings. My time is a mix of meetings with the development community and working with staff on complex files and projects.

2. How did you find your way into municipal work?  

I first considered public sector work during my undergraduate degree in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Waterloo. Becoming a Planning Director was always a long term goal. I started in municipal work after graduating in 1996, moved into consulting early in my career, and later returned to the public sector after working in Bermuda. Since returning to Canada, I have continued working in municipal government, which I truly enjoy.

3. What part of your work has the biggest impact on your community?  

Land use planning has a significant impact on the community. The homes people live in, the schools children attend, the places people shop and work, and the parks they enjoy all begin with this work. I live in the city I serve, so I experience both the challenges and the successes alongside residents. It is especially rewarding to see new parks built, roads made safer, and projects come to life as homes for people.

4. What is one moment, project, or accomplishment you’re proud of?  

While working in Bermuda, I helped organize participation in Park(ing) Day, where parking spaces are temporarily transformed into public spaces. Returning years later and seeing some of those installations become permanent was incredibly rewarding. I also find leadership meaningful, supporting team members as they grow in their careers and through important life milestones.

5. What’s something people might be surprised to learn about your job? 

How busy it is day to day. The pace is constant, deadlines are real, and there is always something happening.

6. What do you enjoy most about serving your municipality?  

I enjoy working and living in the same community. Being able to share what is happening in the city with family and friends, and seeing those changes firsthand, makes the work more meaningful.

7. What are you looking forward to in the year ahead?  

At the start of each year, I look forward to making progress and getting things done, both personally and professionally. I am also excited about new opportunities within the team that will allow staff to grow and advance in their careers.