By the Coral Gables Gazette staff

Chelsea Granell, Mayor Vince Lago’s former chief of staff and a longtime City Hall staffer, was appointed Coral Gables’ governmental affairs director last month. She now leads the city’s intergovernmental strategy, coordinating legislative efforts at the local, state, and federal levels.

Granell succeeds Fernando Weiner, the city’s former governmental affairs manager. While her title now carries the “director” designation, a city official emphasized that the position’s pay grade, classification and core responsibilities remain unchanged.

“This was strictly a title change,” said Martha Pantin, the city’s director of communications and public affairs, in response to a Gazette inquiry. “It simply reflects the strategic importance we place on our governmental affairs function and will support more effective engagement with external stakeholders.”

Salary increase and appointment details

The appointment comes with a 10 percent salary increase for Granell, whose new annualized pay will be approximately $110,300 plus benefits. Pantin described the pay adjustment as “customary for promotions where the employee’s current salary is already within the designated pay range.”

City Manager Peter Iglesias appointed Granell directly to the position, which was not posted on the city’s website or job boards. Pantin said direct appointments are common for executive-level roles.

Change in qualifications draws notice

The appointment drew notice due to changes in the job’s minimum qualifications. The previous job description for Government Affairs Manager listed a law degree—specifically a Juris Doctor from an American Bar Association-accredited law school—as the first item under minimum qualifications. The revised director-level posting removed that requirement, instead calling for a bachelor’s degree in political science, public administration or a related field.

Both of Granell’s predecessors, Weiner and Naomi Levi Garcia, held law degrees. Granell does not. She holds a Master of Public Administration and a Graduate Certificate in Human Resources and Policy Management from Florida International University.

Institutional experience cited as key strength

In a city HR requisition form, Iglesias justified the direct appointment by citing Granell’s institutional knowledge and legislative experience. “Chelsea has been employed by the City since 2014 and has developed a deep institutional knowledge of its operations and priorities,” he wrote. “She has gained policy expertise, legislative insight, and stakeholder-management skills that closely mirror those required for the Governmental Affairs Director position.”

Granell’s decade of service in Coral Gables includes a steady progression through increasingly strategic roles. She previously served as Chief Community Engagement and Policy Advisor and as Senior Commission Liaison. Most recently, she served as Chief of Staff to Mayor Lago, managing daily operations in the mayor’s office and overseeing policy initiatives across departments.

The Gazette reached out to Granell for comment on her promotion and goals for the new role. She referred the inquiry to the city’s director of communications and public affairs.

Track record of securing funds and recognition

In 2018, Granell led Coral Gables’ entry into the Bloomberg Philanthropies U.S. Mayors Challenge, a national competition promoting municipal innovation. Her efforts earned the city a $100,000 grant to support forward-looking policy initiatives.

In 2022, she helped secure more than $2.5 million in state legislative funding—a record for the city—by coordinating with lawmakers and partner agencies.

In her new role, Granell is responsible for advancing Coral Gables’ legislative priorities across all levels of government. She will work with elected officials, civic coalitions, and municipal departments to position the city for funding opportunities, legal protections, and regulatory alignment. Granell is also expected to coordinate responses to proposed legislation that may affect local autonomy or budgeting.

Two new hires in the mayor’s office

Granell will now report directly to the city manager. Asked about staffing changes prompted by the promotion, Mayor Lago said his office added two new employees to assume Granell’s prior responsibilities—without increasing costs.

At the July 2 budget workshop, the mayor said the staffing changes were made with a “clear goal to reduce expenditures and promote responsible budgeting practices.” The total cost of the two new hires, Lago said, will be $119,000—roughly $30,000 less than the prior staffing structure.

Replacing Granell as chief community outreach and policy advisor is Lora Lastra. Nicole Guevara has joined as an administrative assistant.

State and regional leadership roles

Granell is also active in statewide and regional organizations. She serves on the Florida League of Cities’ Municipal Operations Committee and sits on the board of the Miami-Dade County Commission for Women. She is a member of the American Society for Public Administration and has earned recognition for her work in civic engagement and policy innovation.

Looking ahead

As she steps into her new role, Granell inherits a portfolio of growing importance. With Coral Gables navigating state-level preemption laws, infrastructure funding needs, and shifting federal policies, the director’s position offers both strategic leverage and public visibility.

For Granell, the move marks a new chapter in a public service career that began more than a decade ago.

“This appointment reflects our commitment to strengthening relationships at every level of government,” said Iglesias in his requisition. “Chelsea’s experience, relationships, and dedication make her uniquely suited to lead that charge.”

CORRECTION: At the time of publication, Granell’s email signature did include “City Manager’s Office.”