The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) is excited to welcome two highly accomplished leaders to its senior management team this year. 

Lizzy Ambler has accepted the General Manager of Corporate Services and Public Safety position. Ambler lives in Whistler and brings more than 20 years of senior public sector experience, most recently serving as a Clinical Operations Director with Vancouver Coastal Health. She has led complex, high-visibility portfolios, stewarded significant public resources, and guided diverse teams through moments of growth, pressure, and transformation.  

Ashley Palmer has accepted the Director of Finance role. Palmer is the current Manager of Finance for the RMOW and brings 10 years of municipal managerial experience having held finance manager positions for both Abbotsford and Whistler for five years each, in succession. She will report to Ambler and replace outgoing Chief Financial Officer Carlee Price. 

“These leaders present the best of both worlds. Ashley’s presence will ensure consistency in our financial portfolio as she knows the systems and has demonstrated deep commitment to collaboration and problem-solving. And I am very excited to learn of the deep knowledgebase Lizzy Ambler will bring. She will give us pause to reconsider, reimagine and learn as we grow into the new ideas she can offer us from the healthcare sector,” says Mayor Jack Crompton. “Change is an opportunity and the RMOW can benefit greatly from the fresh perspective she will bring.” 

Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, Ambler will oversee Financial Services, Protective Services, Legislative Services, Whistler Fire Rescue Service and Information Technology with Protective Services encompassing Bylaw Services and the municipal oversight of the Whistler’s Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The FireSmart program, emergency management planning, emergency response and managing statutory governance, record keeping, risk management and insurance all fall within her portfolio.  

“The Corporate Services and Public Safety division is core to what we do as a municipality. It takes a steady hand, integrity, and experience to oversee its responsibilities. Lizzy’s focus on building collaborative relationships, and emphasis on building clear, transparent and resilient systems really spoke to the hiring committee. We were also impressed with her experience and commitment to community engagement,” says Ted Battiston. 

Ambler has served as a program manager and senior operational leader supporting a variety of health programs including mental health and addiction services. As a healthcare leader she designed community engagement initiatives, managed significant budgets and work closely with executives, boards, unions, and government partners in environments where risk management, compliance, and service continuity were paramount. She is motivated by work that matters to people’s everyday lives and was drawn to Whistler for its beauty, energy, and the chance to play outside. Arriving in 2017, she has developed deep respect for Whistler’s unique balance of community connection and world-class ambition. 

“This place keeps you grounded. Respect for the community and the Indigenous history that shapes it is what keeps me here and guides my work. For me, accepting this role is about doing meaningful work in a place I genuinely care about,” says Ambler. 

The CSPS division was created in Fall 2022, building from the former Corporate and Community Services Division, as the organization restructured for stronger connection, and a focus on training, development, and knowledge transfer. Both divisions fell under Battiston’s leadership, and he remained in position as General Manager until outgoing Chief Administrative Officer Virginia Cullen’s departure mid-January, at which time he was appointed Chief Administrative Officer. He will retire from this position when a new CAO is selected by Council. The hiring process is underway. 

Palmer has worked under Price since arriving at the municipality in December 2020. She brings extensive knowledge of the municipality’s systems and processes and is a Chartered Professional Accountant with private and public sector experience. She once served aboard the world’s largest civilian hospital ship providing free healthcare to underserved populations in Africa; her position was senior accountant. Palmer is a strong problem-solver and is known as a calm leader with a commitment to improving processes through interdepartmental collaboration.  

As outgoing Chief Financial Officer, Price served the community of Whistler for seven years and brought extensive expertise in financial strategy. She came from a venture capital background, worked on Wall Street and helped the organization buttress itself for the future through strategic spending and reserve savings. While working for the RMOW, she pursued additional education through the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard.  

The incoming leaders are tasked with continuing the work of this council term, prioritizing smart tourism, climate action, community engagement, and housing. Ambler begins work on April 13, Palmer when her maternity leave ends on October 1; an employee with extensive municipal financial experience will support the interim. Elections will be held in October.