Mayor Arroyo names Amanda Bakay as chief of staff
LANCASTER, Pa., March 24, 2026 — Mayor Jaime Arroyo announced Tuesday at a City Council meeting that Amanda Bakay will be the city’s new chief of staff, effective next Monday.
“Amanda has demonstrated experience, expertise and, most importantly, good character, which are essential qualities for leading our city toward building an economy that works, a government that delivers and a city that’s built for everyone. I eagerly look forward to collaborating with Amanda as the city’s next chief of staff,” Mayor Arroyo said in his comments to Council Tuesday evening.
Bakay brings nearly two decades of experience in nonprofit leadership, municipal governance and financial operations to the city.
Most recently, she served as chief operating officer at the Lancaster Science Factory, where she has worked since 2018. Prior to that, she worked at Susquehanna Bank and then BB&T following the banks’ merger.
Bakay has served on Council since 2020, including roles as vice president, chair of the finance committee and president.
“I’m honored that Mayor Arroyo has asked me to step into this role and excited to continue serving the city of Lancaster in a new capacity,” Bakay said. “My experience as a nonprofit chief operating officer, along with my time on Council, has given me both an operational and policy perspective that make me well-prepared for this position. I look forward to bringing those experiences together to support the administration, city staff and residents.”
Bakay earned her degree from Commonwealth University-Mansfield (formerly Mansfield University). She lives in the city’s southwest with her husband and serves as a board member of the Lancaster Office of Promotion.
As chief of staff, Bakay will serve as an adviser, help advance the city’s strategic priorities, support the executive leadership team and oversee communications.
Bakay announced her resignation from Council at the meeting. A special meeting will be held before the April 6 committee meetings for the reorganization of Council. Council will consider a resolution to fill the seat during the committee of the whole meeting.
