Hilliard City Manager Michelle Crandall has been named a 2023 Women of Influence honoree by Columbus Business First.
The awards recognize women in the Columbus business community who are having an impact on their organizations, bettering the community by giving back, and helping foster the next generation of leaders by acting as advisers and mentors.
Crandall, who is among the 27 selected from 170 nominations, won in the Trailblazers category, defined as recognizing those who “have come up with bold ideas that have had a measurable impact on their companies’ success.”
Crandall is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the City, which includes working closely with City Council, 15 department directors, and a team of 180 full-time and more than 300 part-time employees to deliver and execute a balanced operating budget of $37 million and a capital budget of more than $65 million.
Since 2020, she has led the City to spearhead innovative initiatives, transformed the City’s culture, prioritized sustainability, and ensured passage of a ballot issue to increase the City’s income tax, with funds earmarked for Recreation and Parks.
“Local government is like business — if you’re not adapting, you’ll be left in the dust,” she said. “You need a hunger for evolution and innovation. That’s what drives you.”
She has served in a variety of leadership positions, including as the Executive Board Vice President of the International City/County Management Association and Ohio City/County Management Association Professional Development Chair.
Currently, Michelle serves as MORPC Executive Committee Secretary, Broadband Access Ohio 2nd Vice Chair, Central Ohio Mayors and Managers Association Chair, and on the Hilliard Development Corporation Board.
William Murdock, Executive Director of the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC), contributed to Crandall’s nomination. He said Crandall has “consistently stood out as a changemaker.”
“It is clear she is established as a leader among her peers in the region and beyond,” Murdock said. “A strong voice for improved local government, national best practices, sustainability, technology, and economic development, Michelle motivates our organization and local governments to not just improve, but to be the best.”
Read more from Columbus Business First here: https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2023/05/12/women-of-influence-awards-announcement.html
