City Of Danbury Shuffles, Hires, To Bolster Finance Department

DANBURY, CT – The City of Danbury is moving some staff around and hiring others as it works to "address Danbury’s financial challenges," Mayor Roberto Alves said in a statement Monday.

Joanne Sterk as assistant director of Finance, and the addition of longtime Danbury resident and director of Health & Human Services, Kara Prunty, to acting assistant director of Finance, Office of Budget & Grants.

Sterk received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a master’s degree in Business Administration from Western Connecticut State University, and is a CPA. Before coming to work for the City of Danbury, Joanne spent 20 years with IBM and has a background in reporting, Treasury, controls, systems and consolidation accounting, and most recently in external and government reporting, according to a news release from the Mayor's Office.

Prunty has lived in Danbury with her family for nearly a decade. She received her bachelor’s from Hartwick College, her master’s in Public Administration from Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy, and her MPH from the University at Albany School of Public Health. Prunty has experience managing contracts, grants, and finance not only through her work with the City of Danbury, but also through her work with the NY State Office of Mental Health, NY State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, and the NY State Office of the State Comptroller as a contract management specialist. There, she played a role in the development and rollout of the statewide financial system for the State of New York, according to the statement.

"Right now, we’re navigating complex fiscal challenges that can’t be fixed overnight," Mayor Roberto Alves said. "Strengthening our finance team is crucial for Danbury’s future success and reflects our commitment to a brighter financial future. We are dedicated to building a more resilient and prosperous community."

Last month, the Finance Department also added a grants coordinator to the Office of Budget and Grants. Victoria Eaniello previously worked in the Department of Health & Human Services. Fernanda Carvalho, the associate director of Community Health, will become acting director of Danbury HHS.