2026/02/12 18:16:40
Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield announced the appointment of Winnie Liao as the city’s new Chief Operating Officer (COO). Mayor Sheffield also signed an executive directive outlining four key areas for betterment that Liao will prioritize in her new role.
As COO, Liao will oversee multiple city departments and focus on streamlining access to essential services for both residents and businesses. This includes improvements to licensing and permitting processes. The city anticipates Liao’s leadership will enhance the efficiency and responsiveness of these critical functions.
Liao brings notable experience to the position, most recently serving as Vice president of Enterprise Operations at Mastercard. There, she successfully improved usability and productivity for the company’s global workforce. Prior to Mastercard, Liao served as the Chief Operating Officer for Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson from 2019 to 2021.
During her tenure with the Secretary of State, Liao spearheaded initiatives that substantially reduced wait times at all 131 branch locations across Michigan. This demonstrated her ability to implement impactful operational improvements and enhance public service delivery. Mayor Sheffield expressed confidence that Liao’s proven track record will be instrumental in advancing Detroit’s strategic goals.
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