Markham Public Library (MPL) announces a significant leadership transition as Chief Executive Officer Catherine Biss retires after an extraordinary career in public service. The MPL Board has appointed Andrea Cecchetto as the Library’s new CEO, effective July 2, 2026.
Celebrating the Legacy of Catherine Biss
After 31 years of dedicated service to the City of Markham, including 24 years as CEO of Markham Public Library, Catherine Biss will be retiring on June 30, 2026.
Under Catherine's leadership, MPL evolved to meet the needs of Markham's growing and diverse community through innovation, accessibility, and service excellence. During her tenure, she championed transformative initiatives, including RFID technology, self-service options, makerspaces, the Customer Service Revolution, and MPL's unique C3 collection categorization system, helping make library services more accessible, responsive, and user-friendly.
Catherine also led the development of the Angus Glen, Cornell, and Aaniin Library branches, along with major renovations at Thornhill Community Centre and Markham Village. These spaces have become vibrant, inclusive hubs that foster learning, connection, and civic pride.
Beyond Markham, she was a founding member and Chair of the Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) and a founding member of the Canadian Urban Libraries Council (CULC), helping advance accessibility, collaboration, and advocacy across the library sector.
“Libraries have shaped every chapter of my life—from my first job as a student shelving books to the privilege of serving as CEO. I am so proud of the work we have done at MPL to open doors, amplify voices and create spaces where everyone belongs. As I step into retirement I carry with me a lifetime of gratitude for the community we serve and the staff who make this work possible,” said Catherine Biss.
Catherine’s legacy is one of vision, innovation, and deep community commitment—one that will continue to shape Markham for years to come.
Welcoming Andrea Cecchetto as CEO
Following Catherine’s retirement, the MPL Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Andrea Cecchetto as Chief Executive Officer, effective July 2, 2026.
Andrea brings more than 22 years of leadership experience with MPL, most recently serving as Director, Service Excellence. Over her career, she has played a key role in advancing innovation, digital literacy, and customer service across the organization.
Her leadership and contributions have been widely recognized, including receiving the 2025 Ontario Public Library Association (OPLA) Lifetime Achievement Award, which honours individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to public libraries in Ontario.
Andrea is known for her deep commitment to public service, community building, and organizational excellence. Her collaborative leadership style and forward-thinking approach position MPL well as it continues to evolve to meet the needs of a growing and diverse community.
"I've had the privilege of serving the Markham community for the past 20 years, helping to advance innovation, learning, literacy, and meaningful connections. As I step into this new role, I am deeply honoured to lead the library through a period of transformation and opportunity to enrich the lives of everyone who calls Markham home," said Andrea Cecchetto.
With Andrea’s appointment, MPL begins an exciting new chapter, building on a strong foundation while continuing to enrich, inspire, and connect the diverse communities it serves.