The LGMA is proud to regularly showcase the accomplishments of our members who make a difference in BC local government. This week, we’re highlighting longtime LGMA member and dedicated supporter, Lisa Spitale. Lisa recently retired as the CAO for the City of New Westminster, capping off a 33-year-long career in local government. We hope you enjoy Lisa's story and membership journey. 

Q: Can you tell us a bit about your background?

A: I was born and raised in Vancouver and am the eldest daughter of Italian immigrants. My father immigrated to Canada at the age of 14. He landed in Halifax and got himself on a train for Fernie to meet his two older brothers, who were there working on the railroads. He did all this not speaking the language or having any concept of the harsh Canadian winters. My mother immigrated to Canada at the age of 19 joining her older sister. She and my Dad married when Mum was 20 and Dad was 23. I say all this because my parents worked very hard trying to establish a life in Vancouver. I get my work ethic from my parents.

As the eldest child in my family there was no question that I was going to university – education has always been viewed as the great economic equalizer in my family. My undergraduate degree is in political science. I was expected to go to law school. Upper-level classes in local government changed that trajectory and I decided to go to graduate school instead, getting a Master of Planning degree (my parents eventually forgave me! LOL).

Q: Can you describe your role and title?

A: I recently retired as the CAO for the City of New Westminster; a position I held for 13 years. New Westminster is a complex, dynamic organization with 1,400 employees, has its own municipal police department, the only municipal electrical utility in the Lower Mainland, is the oldest incorporated city in western Canada and has the distinction of being the second-densest city in Canada – all within a geography of 15 square kilometers. 

Being the CAO for New Westminster has always been a delicate balance between respecting traditions on the one hand while addressing the progressive aspirations of advocacy Councils on the other. For example, advocacy around housing is an integral part of New Westminster’s DNA: from approving high-density mixed-use developments around Skytrain and protecting tenant rights from renovictions, to advocating for a regional approach on homelessness. 

Q: How long have you been in local government?

A: I have worked in local government for 33 years, all with the City of New Westminster. I started as a Planner 1 and in four years was promoted to Assistant Director of Planning. Over the course of three decades, I moved up through the organization from Director of Strategic Services in charge of an array of portfolios – economic development, investment, gaming, business and liquor licensing and bylaw enforcement - to Director of Development Services in charge of the Building Department, Planning Department and Strategic Services Department to eventually being promoted to Chief Administrative Officer. 

Q: How long have you been an LGMA member?

A: I have been a LGMA member for about 20 years.

Q: What are some key milestones in your professional journey?

A: I’ve had many milestones in my career, but I’d like to share two in particular: one, how we helped transform and revitalize Downtown New Westminster with strategic civic investments; and two, the pride I felt when we won an international award.

With respect to the first one, I was hired to help revitalize the Downtown. Working in local government, we all know that real transformational change takes decades of real political and financial commitment. Between 2009 to 2015, we accomplished a great deal:

• We completed the new Downtown OCP which set the foundation for change;
• We purchased a derelict waterfront site and secured $16 million in federal infrastructure funding to transform that site into Westminster Pier Park, our award winning waterfront park;
• We built the Anvil Centre, a new 85,000 sq ft cultural civic facility in the Downtown using only gaming revenue; and
• We demolished half of a free-standing parkade (and eye sore) to open the views and streetscape adjacent to the waterfront. 

These civic investments demonstrated to the private sector that the City was serious about revitalizing the Downtown and helped stimulate hundreds of millions of dollars of development investment in the Downtown.

And the second milestone deals with another civic project – our new 115,000 sq ft aquatic and community centre, təməsew̓txʷ. I shared this story with my entire organization in my farewell email to them. Here’s an excerpt from my email:

"We often hear that “New West punches above its weight class”. 

The best example I have happened in December 2024. Our təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre was up for (another) award. This one was the Prix Versailles Award for the most beautiful interior sports facility in the world. A bit of context about the Prix Versailles Awards is that one cannot apply for these awards – the organization itself identifies and nominates projects from around the world.

The award ceremony was in Paris held at the UNESCO headquarters. I attended this ceremony along with our design team at HCMA. I didn’t know what to expect at the award ceremony and was taken aback with the formality and the pageantry - award nominees were in full official and military regalia, heads of government were there and the list went on.

Our category was finally called and as I was watching the screen, the presenter said “and Canada wins for the most beautiful new interior sports facility in the world - təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre". 

And I sat there dumbfounded - we were CANADA. Not New Westminster… CANADA. And then the presenter said that “this is the first time that Canada wins in this award category”. I still get goosebumps thinking about it." 

Q: How has being an LGMA member benefited your professional development? 

A: LGMA is unique in that its members run the spectrum of a local government organization. The benefit of being an LGMA member is the exposure to the different roles within local government. For many of us, the trajectory through local government is within one professional or technical discipline with limited exposure to other disciplines. Attending LGMA conferences and participating in LGMA training programs gives you exposure to the many facets of local government.

Q: What do you value most about LGMA Membership?

A: I most value the LGMA conferences, particularly the CAO Forums. Being a CAO is an isolating job: there are many issues you cannot share with your senior leadership team.

I have always valued the expertise and support from my CAO colleagues. The CAO Forums have been one of few venues where I have been able to meet other CAOs, collaborate (or commiserate) and seek their sage advice. Without LGMA’s CAO Forums, it would have been quite difficult to build my peer network.

Q: What have you learned from your experiences that you believe would benefit others in your field?

A: I am answering this question from the perspective of a CAO: your sphere of influence is extraordinary, and it is easy to underestimate the impact you can make on the daily lives of your community and, in particular, to the culture of your organization.

I describe being a CAO as a powerhouse if you deliberately choose to allocate your time, energy and resources effectively. It is easy – perhaps too easy – to allow the day-to-day operational issues dictate your time. Yes, the CAO must stay abreast of the issues affecting the organization. However, one must recognize that the time you have holding the position of CAO is finite. Prioritize and seize the unique opportunity you have to make a difference. It could be getting behind the need for a new cultural centre; it could be to reorganize departments; it could be to create a new park. Whatever your “big” project is, create the vision and the action plan, clear a path by removing barriers, and use your social and leadership capital to ensure it gets done. In many cases, the legacy projects will not happen without the CAO being the champion. Covet this unique opportunity to be a rainmaker in your organization and for your community.

Q: What is one fun fact about yourself that you would like to share with our members?

A: I used to be a runner, but my sciatica no longer lets me run without pain. In response, I became a walker and I love it. As a city planner, exploring a new neighbourhood while walking has become a passion of mine. Over the course of the weekend, I’ll walk about 50 kilometers. If any of our LGMA members are ever looking for a walking mate, just give me call! 

And if I’m allowed to share a second fun fact it is that I won a car on Let’s Make a Deal with Monty Hall when I was 17!