Chelsea Granell was appointed Governmental Affairs Director for the City of Coral Gables in June 2025. She has more than a decade of experience in public service, specializing in legislative strategy, community engagement, and intergovernmental affairs.

In her role, Granell leads and coordinates the city’s intergovernmental efforts at the local, state, and federal levels. She works closely with elected officials, partner agencies, and advocacy organizations to advance the city’s legislative priorities and secure support for key municipal initiatives.

Prior to this appointment, Granell served as Chief of Staff to the Mayor, where she managed daily operations, coordinated outreach efforts, and oversaw policy implementation across all levels of government. Her extensive background also includes roles as Chief Community Engagement and Policy Advisor and Senior Commission Liaison, where she built strong relationships with stakeholders and championed policies that benefit the Coral Gables community. She was part of the team that helped the city secure record funding of over $2.5 million from the State of Florida in 2022 Legislative Session. In 2018, she led the city’s efforts in the Bloomberg Philanthropies U.S. Mayor’s Challenge, a national competition aimed at encouraging innovative solutions to urban challenges. Her efforts earned Coral Gables a $100,000 grant. 

Granell holds a Master of Public Administration and a Graduate Certificate in Human Resources and Policy Management from Florida International University. She is an active member of the American Society for Public Administration and serves on the Florida League of Cities’ Municipal Operations Committee and is a board member of the Miami-Dade County Commission for Women.