Melissa Riou joined the city as a senior planner in 2016 and was most recently interim manager of Strategic and Environmental Planning
The city has hired from within for their new director of Planning Services, with interim manager of Strategic and Environmental Planning Melissa Riou landing the job.
“Melissa’s depth of experience and demonstrated leadership in key growth portfolios for the city make her an excellent fit for this role,” city Planning and Growth general manager Kris Longston said in a media release.
“She has been an integral part of the Planning Services department’s initiatives during her career with the city so far, and I look forward to continuing to work with her in this new capacity.”
She will begin her new role on Dec. 1, and will oversee development approvals, geographic information systems and strategic and environmental planning.
Riou joined the city as a senior planner in 2016, and is a Registered Professional Planner and a member of the Canadian Institute of Planners.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Geography from Laurentian University and a Master of Applied Environmental Studies from the University of Waterloo.
Prior to joining the City of Greater Sudbury, she was Planning director for the Sudbury East Planning Board from 2011 to 2016, and a planner for Oxford County from 2005 to 2011.
In Greater Sudbury, she’s credited with leading several significant policy development initiatives, including the Employment Lands Strategy and the Housing Supply Strategy.
“I am honoured to take on this new role within the city,” Riou said in a media release. “The work we are doing to drive growth in our community is essential, and I have an excellent team to work alongside. My time with them has prepared me well and I am excited to take on this new challenge.”