Who We Are

The City of Toronto Administrative, Professional, Supervisory Association (COTAPSA) has been in existence since 1967 and is the oldest and largest Municipal Management Association in Canada.  We are a registered not-for-profit organization representing the non-union and Management employees of the City of Toronto. 

Our Mission:

  • To represent the interests of the Members of the Association.
  • To obtain the views and concerns of the Members and to present such views to the administration and/or City Council.
  • To promote a high standard of conduct and efficiency in the civic service and to promote continuous co-operation with City Council.
  • To regulate Employee Relations between non-union and management employees and the City of Toronto.


Our Board is elected by you, our members, and is representative of various Divisions of the City of Toronto. 

Our staff consists of an Executive Director, Senior Human Resource Consultant and an Executive Assistant. The Executive Director is a former Board Member and a retired City employee.  We also have Employment Law Firm on retainer when needed.   

Our goals for the organization are to grow the membership base, be a forceful voice for individual and collective issues facing non-union employees, and keeping members informed through regular communications and information sessions

Meet the COTAPSA Team

Andrew Waters

President
Community & Social Services
Parks, Forestry & Recreation

Phil Pendleton

1st Vice President
Infrastructure & Development Services
Transportation Services

Karyn Spiegelman

2nd Vice President
Finance & Treasury
Services
Financial Planning

Marianne Sirro

Treasurer
Finance & Treasury Services
Corporate Financial Planning & Management

Trena Cesario

Secretary
Community & Social Services
Parks, Forestry & Recreation

Khaled Chowdhury

Director
Infrastructure & Development Services
Transportation Services

Frank Figliano

Director
Infrastructure & Development Services
Toronto Water

Bahman (Ben) Marvi

Director
Infrastructure & Development Services
Toronto Building

Ranil Mendis

Director
Community & Social Services
Children’s Services, Strategic Business & Financial Services

Nirmalan Vijeyakumar

Director
Infrastructure & Development Services
Transportation Services

Lorna Zappone

Director
Infrastructure & Development Services
Planning & Capital Program

Mike Major

Executive Director

Mike Major retired in 2021 after 33 years of service at the City of Toronto.  Mike worked as a Senior Planner in the City Planning Division and later as a Manager in the Economic Development Division.  Prior to becoming Executive Director of COTAPSA, Mike served as a board member and President of COTAPSA for over 10 years.

As Executive Director, Mike manages the day to day affairs of the COTAPSA office, provides advice and direction to Board of Directors on governance and policy matters, and liaises with City Officials and Councillors on issues impacting our members.

Grace Ciardullo

Senior HR Consultant

Grace Ciardullo has been the HR Officer for COTAPSA since the position’s inception in October,  2001 and during this time she has successfully handled member’s issues on a wide variety of matters. Grace has over 20 years of progressive Generalist and Consulting Human Resources experience, and is an active member of Human Resources Professional Association.

Reporting to the Executive Director, Grace provides support to COTAPSA members in employment-related matters.  She also provides assistance in Terminations, Job Evaluation, Occupational Health and Safety, WSIB, Rehabilitation/Return-to-Work Programs, Long Term Disability and Benefits.

Jenna Asongwed

Executive Assistant/Bookkeeper

With over 10 years of experience in non-profit office executive assistant positions, Jenna skillfully manages administrative duties and member relations for her colleagues and Board of Directors at COTAPSA.

As Executive Assistant and Bookkeeper, she ensures the smooth operation of our Association with her extensive knowledge of office management and efficient handling of member inquiries.