Redland City Council’s General Manager of Organisational Services, Amanda Pafumi, has resigned — becoming the eighth senior staff member to leave the organisation in the past 16 months, amid growing instability at the top ranks of council.
In a message to councillors on Wednesday, Chief Executive Officer Louise Rusan said it was “with a heavy heart” she was announcing Ms Pafumi’s decision to step down after almost three years in the role.
“Amanda joined us in January 2022 and has been an outstanding leader and her achievements are many, long lasting and impactful,” Ms Rusan wrote.
“She has led transformational change with digital transformation, a new approach to budget planning with a strong cost focus and cost management control, being instrumental in establishing the Expenditure Review Committee, and reforms in information management and cyber security uplift.”
Ms Rusan said Ms Pafumi’s leadership during disaster management events had been “exemplary” and praised her for “actively role modelling good governance, transparency and the principles of ethics and integrity.”
“Amanda has been a much-valued member of the Executive Leadership Team and will be greatly missed here at Council,” she said.
Ms Pafumi’s resignation follows a string of high-profile executive departures from Redland City Council over the past year.
Chief Financial Officer Deborah Corbett-Hall quit in July 2024, former CEO Andrew Chesterman resigned in September 2024, followed by Executive General Manager People, Culture and Organisational Performance Amanda Daly in January 2025, and General Manager Infrastructure and Operations Dr Nicole Davis in May 2025.
Group Manager City Operations Sherry Clarke went on personal leave on September 15 and resigned without returning. Another Group Manager of Project Delivery, Margit Connellan, has also resigned and finishes on November 14.
Earlier this week, Group Manager Corporate Governance Tony Beynon resigned, with Ms Pafumi the latest departure announced today.
A Council employee, who wished to remain anonymous said: “I know they’re not all female but it’s really sad to see such a huge number of strong, intelligent, and capable women leave the organisation.
“I honestly don’t know what’s causing it (the spate of resignations).
“However, it’s very unsettling for the workforce.
“It could be down to budget constraints, although they have said there will be no redundancies.
“Often when there are budget issues, it’s the people at the top with their heads on the chopping block so not unfamiliar to see them abandon ship.”
The latest exit comes as Mayor Jos Mitchell pursues legal action against Executive Group Manager, Governance and Legal Services, Andrew Ross — a move that has further intensified scrutiny and tensions within the council’s leadership.
Ms Pafumi’s final day with council will be Friday, January 9, with her last day in the office on Thursday, December 4.
Council is expected to notify staff of her resignation later today.
