Sheryl M. M. Long is the 18th City Manager for the City of Cincinnati. As City Manager, she leads the City Administration, including overseeing day-to-day operations and the execution of the Mayor and City Council’s policy vision.
Sheryl was appointed City Manager on September 1, 2022 after previously serving as Assistant City Manager since April 2019.
In Cincinnati, the role of City Manager is similar to that of a Chief Executive Officer or Chief Operating Officer in the private sector. Sheryl manages City operations and more than 6,000 employees in departments as diverse as Public Services, Buildings & Inspections, Budget, Law, Transportation & Engineering, Fire, Police, Planning & Engagement, Parks, and more. She administers the policies set forth by the Mayor and City Council, and also tasks the Administration with making recommendations to elected officials.
In 30 seconds or less, tell us who YOU are. This is not your professional bio, but rather, your response should reflect how you are uniquely you.
High energy, forward thinking, loving leader who has a strong passion for leading with care, joy, and a deep commitment to public service. Wherever I am, I am only interested in focusing on real change and recruiting those who share the same mission. My goal as a leader is to ALWAYS create lasting impact. One frustration I have is seeing people in positions of influence sometimes lose sight of the bigger picture and the human aspects affected by their decisions. For me, it’s essential to use every day to give my best-100 percent to citizens of Cincinnati-because I understand that being in this role is a true blessing.
What is something that most people do not know about you?
I love climbing trees. If I see a good tree I will climb it. Every year on my birthday I find a tree to climb.
What are your personal core values?
My personal core values are authenticity, staying true to who you are and what I believe is the right thing to do.
Service, contributing to the well-being of my community and society and encouraging others to do their part.
Accountability, taking responsibility for my actions and the outcomes as a result of those actions.
Leading with integrity.
What is the primary motivation of your leadership?
My primary motivation as a leader is to create foundational change that is meaningful and leaves organizations along with the people I lead, in better positions than when I received them.
What has been the cornerstone of your life journey that influenced your personal mission and purpose?
The cornerstone of my life journey that influenced my personal mission and purpose is the promise I made to my grandmother to get a college degree. Despite being a younger mother, working full-time, and attending school at night, I was determined to fulfill that promise. That experience taught me that value of perseverance and the importance of creating opportunities for others to succeed. It shaped my leadership philosophy-to help people advance and provide for their families while ensuring they work in environments that bring joy, respect, and a sense of accomplishment.
Who has had an immense impact on you as a leader? How did this person (or people) impact your life?
My leadership journey has been shaped by many individuals rather than one single person. It took time for me to decide to lead, and that gave me the opportunity to observe and learn from different leaders. I adopted some leadership traits and intentionally avoided others, based on how they made me feel and their overall impact.
There are key people who, without mentioning my name, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Mayor Dan Brooks of NCH was the first to recognize my talent as a potential city administrator. Mayor Maureen Mason, the first elected female mayor, selected me for my first city administrator role and supported me throughout. Judge Terry Nestor noticed my talent during a panel at Miami university and he recommended me to Patrick Duhaney, the city manager at the time, who encouraged me to apply for Assistant City Manager, and Mayor Aftab Pureval who appointed me as the City Manager.
What piece of advice have you received along the way in your career or life journey that has stuck with you?
Always stay true to who you are, no matter the circumstances or pressures around you. You can not fake authenticity. Authenticity is key to leadership and personal fulfillment.
What one thing makes you most proud?
The one thing that makes me most proud is my ability to make me most proud is my ability to create environments where people can thrive, grow, and feel valued. I take great pride in leading with care, joy, and a commitment to ensuring that those around me have resources and support they need to succeed. Additionally, I’m incredibly proud of being the mother of two smart, young men who are now in college. Having young, even with the support of my husband, was a challenging and scary time. Knowing I was able to raise these amazing men, who will contribute positively to society, brings me immense happiness and fulfillment.
What’s one thing you do every day (or with consistency) to be a better person?
Make sure I’m caffeinated. It helps me maintain the joy.
What are a few resources or behaviors you would recommend to someone looking to grow into a better leader?
Find trusted people to provide you with honest feedback and practice receiving and applying that feedback.
Focus on nurturing your relationships- it’s not about the quantity, it’s about the quality.
Invest time in becoming an effective communicator, while having a strong vocabulary is valuable, the true skill lies in simplifying complex ideas. If you can make complicated concepts easy to understand, you’re already ahead of the game.
How do you define success?
Success is feeling at peace professionally, personally, and spiritually when you wake up every morning and close your eyes at night.
Why do you choose to make the Cincinnati region home?
I was born and raised in Cincinnati which gives me a deep connection to the city, and that makes my commitment to its future even more meaningful.
In what ways are you involved in the Cincinnati community outside of your professional endeavors?
I am fortunate to have a job that combines community with my professional endeavors. It is rare that my involvement in the city is unrelated to my career.
What do you imagine for the future of the Cincinnati region?
I imagine a future for the Cincinnati region where we continue to build an inclusive, vibrant, and innovative community that prioritizes equity, economic growth and the well-being of ALL residents. I envision a region where every neighborhood thrives, and we address disparities in education, housing and employment. Cincinnati will be a hub for innovation and collaboration, attracting diverse talent and investment while maintaining its VIBE. I imagine a Cincinnati that is not only a great place to live and work but also a national model for progress, unity and compassion.
What legacy do you hope to leave behind?
The legacy I hope to leave behind is being remembered as the 18th city manager of Cincinnati who brought about meaningful organizational change for the future. I want to ensure that my team and I have created systems and processes that make it easier for people to do business with the city and learn about what the city is doing. I also hope to have taught many within the organization how to lead with authenticity and courage, empowering them to be their true selves in leadership roles. I aim to be one of the City Managers of Cincinnati who is always remembered positively, leaving a lasting, respected legacy.
