Sonya Skinner

Background

About Sonya Skinner

Vision drives progress. I build trust, deliver transformation, and turn complex challenges into lasting public value. With over 20 years of executive and board experience, I have led teams across transportation, environmental regulation, IT, analytics, and municipal administration—delivering enduring results. As Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for the Town of Collingwood, I led a transformation that strengthened governance, finances, and community trust. I implemented over 300 recommendations from a high-profile Judicial Inquiry, restored transparency, and built an ethical culture recognized across Ontario for excellence. Previously, I served as CAO of the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority, Director of Environmental Compliance Modernization at Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment, and IT Executive for Enterprise Business Intelligence. Early in my career, I held senior roles at the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, where I managed expenditures of up to $3 billion in annual capital funding and advanced the province’s first public-private partnerships. My work bridges the areas of infrastructure, sustainability, and governance. I unite people to align systems—policy, operations, and regulation—into accountable outcomes. Today, I focus on how land development, environmental resilience, and infrastructure investment drive smarter growth. In addition to executive leadership, I am actively involved in board governance. I serve on the Ontario Municipal Administrators’ Association (OMAA) Board, chair its Education Committee, and sit on the Collingwood Tourism Board. In 2025, I completed the Directors Education Program (DEP) at Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, a key requirement for the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors. This designation strengthens my ability to deliver strategic foresight, disciplined oversight, and governance excellence. I lead with integrity, curiosity, and collaboration—delivering solutions that build trust, value, and long-term impact