Chantal Cotton Gaines is a highly skilled local government professional currently serving as an Assistant to the City Administrator for the City of Oakland focusing on public safety, housing, and other quality of life services. Prior to her role in Oakland, Chantal served as an Assistant to the City Manager in the City of College Park, Maryland and as a Management Assistant for the City of Ypsilanti, Michigan. Chantal’s passion for being a local government leader comes from her upbringing in Flint, Michigan where she learned that serving communities in need is really a responsibility for everyone and is one of the most honorable and rewarding things one can do in life.

Chantal is an MMANC Board Member (Region 4 Co-Chair), a member of the ICMA Government and Policy Affairs Committee, a member of the Cal-ICMA Education and Professional Development Committee, and a mentor with the Intergovernmental Management Training (IGMT) Program.

Chantal holds a Master of Public Policy, Master of Urban Planning, and a Bachelor of Arts (in Political Science) from the University of Michigan.