Hamilton mayor-elect Keanin Loomis has named Marie Nash as his chief of staff, bringing a former Hamilton Chamber of Commerce executive back to the city from Burlington.

Nash has served as chief of staff to Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward since October 2023, according to reporting by Joey Coleman of TPR Hamilton. Before that, she spent a decade at the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, rising to chief operating officer.

In a Nov. 9 interview with TPR, Loomis said he “couldn’t imagine anybody more qualified” to lead his office. He cited Nash’s experience supporting Meed Ward while she chaired Ontario’s Big City Mayors, managing government relationships, navigating Burlington council politics and leading organizations.

Loomis also revealed two other senior hires during the interview.

David Silvestro, currently a communications advisor at Hamilton Health Sciences, will become director of communications.

Halston Morgan will serve as director of policy and intergovernmental affairs. She comes from McMaster University, where she is currently a government relations manager.

Loomis formally takes office on Nov. 15.

Sources