City of Toronto
Aretha is an accomplished public servant who brings extensive experience and knowledge in community engagement, government relations and partnership development having worked across all levels of Canadian government. She has a proven track record in developing innovative partnerships and collaborative programs and has brought that lens to her work as the City of Toronto’s Chief of Protocol and External Relations since 2020. In this role, she is responsible for a multi-faceted program that includes protocol services, international relations, community recognition, and public education. She has led large-scale initiatives across the city within economic development and culture, the Toronto Office of Partnerships, Toronto Elections, and the Public Appointment Secretariat within the City clerk's office.
Her career began at the Province of Ontario working for the Honourable Bob Rae, former Premier of Ontario and the Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Women's Issues where her love of public service began. These early experiences served as the foundation for her passion and understanding of the importance of government having strong relationships and engagement with the communities it serves to foster civic pride and a sense of belonging.
An avid volunteer, she has sat on numerous community and arts-based boards. She currently sits on the Toronto District School Board’s Black Student Achievement Community Advisory Committee. She has a Bachelor of Arts from Toronto Metropolitan University and was recently appointed as their first Municipal Public Service Fellow in the School of Public Policy and Democratic Innovation.