Sonali Chakraborti
Manager, Programs and Research
Sonali Chakraborti is the new Manager of Programs and Research for the Institute on Municipal Finance & Governance (IMFG). As Manager, Sonali takes a leadership role in the activities of the IMFG, overseeing the Institute’s operations and designing major research programs in municipal finance and governance, as well as other projects.
A seasoned public servant, Sonali spent 14 years at the City of Toronto in roles focused on social and corporate policy, governance, accountability and strategic planning. Early in her time at the City, she developed the City’s first Newcomer Strategy, adopted by City Council in 2013 which continues to support the City’s coordination with community and government partners as the key reception point for receiving waves of newcomers and refugees. Sonali also spent over a decade in the City Manager’s office, most recently as Project Director, Corporate Initiatives, where she helped advance the City’s accountability framework, updated the ethical framework for the public service, led a city-wide review to inform changes to the City of Toronto Act, 2006, developed Toronto's corporate strategic plan and COVID-19 recovery strategy, supported the transition for two new Mayors, implemented governance changes arising from the introduction of strong Mayor powers and established a novel Housing Commissioner model for Toronto which includes an expanded role for Toronto’s Ombudsman and new advisory table. Prior to her time in government, Sonali advanced community planning and governance models in Thorncliffe Park and also taught mathematics and physics at the Bishop Strachan School. Sonali holds a B.A.Sc in Systems Design Engineering from the University of Waterloo, a B.Ed from OISE/UT and an MBA in Strategy & Public Management from the Schulich School of Business at York University.