Meet Zorra Township’s new CAO

Diane Larder took over as CAO late last year and hopes to bring new initiatives, partnerships and perspectives to Zorra Township during her tenure as the top staffer. (Contributed Photo)

Connor Luczka, Echo Correspondent

The Township of Zorra has a new top staffer advising council and she’s hoping to bring more initiatives, partnerships, and perspectives to the township in her tenure.

“Council is very forward-thinking,” Diane Larder, the township’s new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) told the Echo. “And that's something that I look forward to working with them on. How we can move Zorra forward with initiatives, with partnering, with different ideas on how to do things.”

Larder took over the position from Don MacLeod late last year. Having been serving in the top spot for a few months now, Larder said that she is enjoying the new challenge despite the big shoes she’s filling.

Larder joined the township as director of finance back in 2021. She originally got her start in municipal administration at Oxford County in the early 2000s before joining the municipality of South-West Oxford as deputy treasurer. There, she moved up to treasurer and deputy CAO roles before coming to Zorra.

While not originally from Zorra, Larder grew up a stone’s throw away in the country south of Ingersoll, the town she has been living in with her family for over 30 years.

“We enjoy Oxford County and all that it offers,” Larder said. “It's in the centre, it's close to the 401 which allows us to travel either west or east, and we still have the rural component that we can access any of the local farms and the foods that are ground in our markets and that which we really enjoy.

“It’s a big family,” Larder went on to say about the local community here. “They come together and are willing to help if there's a need, and we see it through our charities. Or if someone has an emergency that has happened or a disaster, the community members step up and help, and we try and support each other.”

Moving from director of finance to the top staffing position, Larder said that she was ready to look at the township through a different lens – rather than just through a financial lens. She is eager to assist residents and improve and maintain the municipality’s service levels.

For instance, Larder would like to see more greener initiatives as other levels of government implement more mandates. She would also like to investigate a community hub in Thamesford or Embro where residents can access all its services in one area.

Medical services in town are also an idea Larder would like to investigate. As she said, every city and town is working on trying to attract health-care services to their region, and the municipality would have to explore the possibility with other levels of government, however, Larder believes it would be beneficial to residents who have to drive to Ingersoll, Dorchester, London, or farther afield for medical care.

Larder shared that MacLeod told her to keep being herself and putting her spin on the position, saying that he was confident she would do a great job.

That being said, Larder was adamant the whole team at the township continues to benefit the community. She highlighted their passion for not only the workplace but for the wider community as well.

“Don has done a remarkable job at the township here and he has mentored and shaped all the municipality,” Larder said. “Zorra is a great municipality. The staff are amazing. I couldn't do it without the staff. I look at myself that I'm at the back of the ship. They're the ones that are steering it and leading the way. I'm just guiding them.”