Mariana has been the Interim Chief Executive at Leeds City Council since September 2024. She was previously Director of Strategy and Resources at the authority, leading a large directorate that included Finance, Human Resources, Digital, Legal and Governance, Shared Services, Strategy and Performance, Communications and Marketing, and crucially a service called Civic Enterprise Leeds that delivers many vital front-line services such as catering, cleaning, school crossing patrols, passenger transport and building repairs. Mariana also led the strategic developments for Leeds City Council, including the Best City Ambition, and played a key corporate role supporting councillors.
Mariana has previously been employed in senior in roles in Leeds in Strategy, Customer Services and Children’s Services. Prior to joining the council in 2000, Mariana enjoyed a career in leadership and management in the Civil Service and an Inspectorate. She studied Sports Studies in Newcastle as her first degree, has a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Leeds, and has completed a Doctorate in Business Administration at Leeds Beckett University, researching leadership and strategy in local government.
She is married, with two children aged 23 and 15. Mariana is also chair of the Leeds Rhinos Foundation and a Director at Leeds Rhinos Netball as a volunteer. She loves family holidays in Menorca, and skiing, and as a rookie runner completed the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon in 2023.