Mayor Hamilton Appoints Mary Catherine Carmichael as Deputy Mayor and Kaisa Goodman as Public Engagement Director; Emily Fields as Interim HR Director

Mayor John Hamilton announced today the appointment of Mary Catherine Carmichael to the position of Deputy Mayor and Kaisa Goodman as Public Engagement Director for the City of Bloomington. 

Don Griffin, who has served in the role of Deputy Mayor since April 2021, recently announced his resignation effective December 31, 2022, in order to focus on his campaign for Mayor. Carmichael, who currently serves as Public Engagement Director, will succeed Griffin as Deputy Mayor, with Goodman succeeding Carmichael. Griffin plans to remain in his role through the month of December, and Carmichael and Goodman will begin their new roles on January 1, 2023. Carmichael will earn an annual salary of $120,913, and Goodman will earn $75,564.

“Don Griffin has served city government and all the people of Bloomington as deputy mayor with great distinction and impact over the past 21 months. I thank him for his dedicated service, and welcome two highly qualified, deeply committed public servants into new roles in 2023,” said Mayor John Hamilton. “I look forward to continuing our progress together.” 

Mary Catherine Carmichael has served in Mayor John Hamilton’s cabinet since January 2016, first as Communications Director and since 2018 as Public Engagement Director. Prior to these roles, Carmichael, who was educated at Indiana University, worked in the utility industry, education, public radio, and operated her own business, while holding positions on a wide variety of local nonprofit boards of directors. She has been serving, supporting, and engaging the residents of Bloomington for the last three decades. 

“I’m grateful to Mayor Hamilton for providing me with a new avenue to continue serving Bloomington’s residents,” said Mary Catherine Carmichael. “I look forward to supporting both our residents and employees in this new capacity.” 

Kaisa Goodman has served the City of Bloomington since June 2020, where she is currently Chief of Staff in the Mayor’s Office and was formerly Special Projects Manager for the Department of Economic and Sustainable Development. Previously, Goodman worked in local politics, insurance, and customer service. Goodman received a Women Excel Bloomington Award (2022) and Ten under 40 Award (2021), volunteers with Monroe County CASA, and serves on the boards of Hoosier Women Forward and the Eugene V. Debs Foundation. 

“This new role will allow me further community engagement and constituent service,” said Kaisa Goodman. “It’s been an honor and joy to be part of this administration for the past two and a half years, and I thank Mayor Hamilton for this opportunity.” 

In addition to these changes, Human Resources (HR) Director Caroline Shaw has resigned, effective December 27, 2022. The interim HR Director will be Emily Fields, currently Assistant HR Director. Shaw has served as the HR Director since January, 2016 and has supported progressive public sector human resources management practices, a robust in-house training program, and a commitment to diversity and equity. Fields has been serving as the Assistant HR Director since November 2015. Her interim salary will be $90,071.

“Supporting city employees with responsive and progressive practices is a priority for the City,” said Mayor John Hamilton. “Caroline Shaw has consistently demonstrated a commitment to city employees and the City of Bloomington, and we are grateful for her years of excellent, dedicated public service.” 

Read the news as it happens! Sign up to receive City press releases at https://bton.in/-M!di to receive City news delivered to your inbox.