Chief Administrative Officer Samantha Sengel

Samantha Sengel comes to the City with over two decades of experience in management and executive leadership at one of our state’s largest higher education institutions. She brings vast relevant experience to the role as well long-standing existing relationships with City, County and State leaders. She is a consummate administrative leader, blending collaboration and skillful management of large bureaucracy with energy and professionalism to drive results.  

"Dr. Sengel is a rare find in New Mexico; she was raised here, is one of the few people in our city with the relevant very large government management experience, and has the passion to transition her decades of deep concern for educating our workforce into full dedication to lifting up all things City of Albuquerque. Her qualifications and experience are a tremendous compliment to the City leadership team, for collaborating with stakeholders and for all we need to do to help our city,” noted Mayor Keller. 

“I am so pleased to be able to continue my focus on developing the future of Albuquerque and central New Mexico as a great place to live, learn, work, and prosper. This has been my life’s work for a quarter century, and I look forward to working alongside all of our dedicated City employees to continue that focus,” said Dr. Samantha Sengel.

The CAO of the City of Albuquerque, the close equivalent of a city manager, is generally regarded as the most impactful full-time professional (non-elected) position in government in New Mexico. The role has formal control in the charter, over $1 billion in annual spending, oversees nearly 6,000 employees and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the largest city in New Mexico. The position requires confirmation by City Council and generally includes a nationally competitive compensation level.