Elizabeth Pauli is Tacoma's first female City Manager. As City Manager, Ms. Pauli is the Chief Executive Officer for the City of Tacoma government, overseeing a staff of more than 2,000 and a biennial General Government budget of over $1.9 billion, which includes a General Fund budget of $460 million. Tacoma has a population of approximately 208,000 residents, and is the third largest city in Washington state.
Prior to her appointment as City Manager, Ms. Pauli served as Interim City Manager. Prior to that, she served as the City Attorney for the City of Tacoma. She had joined the City of Tacoma in May 1998, as Chief Assistant City Attorney. She was appointed Acting City Attorney in 2004, and was named City Attorney in 2005. Prior to joining the City of Tacoma, she was a partner at McGavick Graves, a well-established law firm in Tacoma.
A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School, Ms. Pauli also has Bachelor of Science degrees in education and social work from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Ms. Pauli is a member of the Washington State Bar Association and the Washington State Association of Municipal Attorneys.
A mother and grandmother who lives in Tacoma with her husband, Dave, Ms. Pauli enjoys tandem bicycling and running the trails near her mountain cabin. She is an active volunteer with her church and in many local community service activities.
Education
- Juris Doctor cum laude from University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School, 1987
- Bachelor of Science degrees in education and social work from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1981
- University of Washington Professional Mediator Skills Training Certificate Program, 1996
Membership/Affiliation
- Washington State Bar Association
- Washington State Association of Municipal Attorneys