Stephen O'Brien Email & Phone Number

Stephen is the General Manager of the City Clerk's Office/City Clerk at the City of Guelph. Stephen leads a team of people leaders who provide direct services to the public, City Council and fellow staff. His portfolio includes the provision of legislative services that supports the City’s democratic and transparent decision making through Council and its various committees and boards. The department also has a mandate to provide corporate information and records management services along with access and privacy services. The delivery and administration of municipal and school board elections falls under his responsibility. Stephen has previously supported and led the City’s frontline customer service delivery via the team at ServiceGuelph, along with strategy related to overall customer service and experience.A graduate of the University of Guelph, he is an Accredited Ontario Municipal Clerk (AOMC). He holds a Master’s of Arts degree in public policy and administration from a joint program that was offered through the University of Guelph and McMaster University. Stephen completed a Diploma in Public Administration through the Local Government Program at Western University and has also completed an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.Stephen’s career in the municipal sector began in the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula through the Ontario Municipal Management Internship program which was funded in part by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Having held progressively senior roles, first at the City of Richmond Hill and now the City of Guelph, Stephen has been involved in important strategic and corporate wide projects including Chairing the City of Guelph’s Customer Service and Digital Steering Committee and serving as a co-lead of one of the City’s strategic plan priority working groups.He is currently the Immediate Past President of the AMCTO and sits on the Association’s Management Committee. He is also actively involved with the Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC) as a member of the Southwest Regional Board as well as Conestoga College’s Public Service Program Advisory Committee (PAC).Stephen’s professional interests include digital transformation in government and enhancement of access, privacy, and open government processes along with leading agile ways of working across government.A proud University of Guelph Gryphon Football alum, Stephen volunteers as a Board member with the Friends of Gryphon Football (FOGF).

Listed skills include Policy Analysis, Policy, Public Administration, Local Government, and 13 others.