Grace Mater
General Manager, City Manager's Office, City of Hamilton
Distinguished Fellow
Throughout her 36 years in public service, Grace Mater has been committed to collaborative approaches that enhance the lives of children and families in Hamilton. Grace is currently a General Manager with the City of Hamilton in the City Managers Office. Under Grace’s leadership Hamilton created a community-based planning approach for children’s services that is recognized as a best practice in Ontario. She also led the modernization and expansion of childcare within Hamilton, as well as the creation of the Children and Youth Charter of Rights, which is recognized by the United Nations. Grace also led the work on Human Services Integration and Neighbourhood Development for the City of Hamilton, and recently participated on Mohawk’s Challenge 2025 Stewardship Committee.
A graduate of the Social Service Worker program at Grant McEwan College, Grace was named a YWCA Woman of Distinction in Community Leadership in 2018, and this year, she was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Ontario Municipal Social Services Association.