City of Bloomington Announces City Manager Finalists

Kathy Hedin was appointed as Bloomington's co-interim city manager since January 2025 and has been the assistant city manager for external services since July 2024. She brings close to 25 years of local experience, specializing in government administration, management, human services, and public health. In her role at the City of Bloomington, Ms. Hedin oversees police, fire, community and economic development, parks and recreation, public health and public works. 

Prior to joining Bloomington, Hedin held several key positions in Ramsey County, including deputy county manager, public health director, and social services director. In these roles, she oversaw 2000 staff and a total budget of $370M in the departments of public health, community corrections, innovation and strategy, financial assistance services, social services, and veterans services. 

Hedin earned a Master of Science in Social and Community Work from Capella University and a Bachelor of Science in Community/Public Health from Minnesota State University, Mankato. She also completed the Public Service Leadership Executive Course at Harvard Kennedy School, was named a Kresge National Public Health Emerging Leader in 2018, was selected as a 2020 Minnesota Young American Leader, and earned the Association of Minnesota County Outstanding Service Award in 2021. 

Throughout her career, Hedin has been committed to working with public servants at all levels, elected officials, community partners, local businesses, non-profits and stakeholders to deliver high-quality, effective services that positively impact people's lives. 

Noah Schuchman, ICMA-CM serves as City Manager in Golden Valley, responsible for more than 250 team members in nine departments and a $67 million annual budget ($31.7 million general fund). 

Previously, Noah served as City Administrator for the City of Duluth from 2018-2024, responsible for more than 850 team members in eight departments (including two utilities), and a balanced $331 million annual budget ($117 million general fund). As City Administrator, Noah served as the primary administration representative for a nine-member City Council.

Noah spent fifteen years with the City of Minneapolis, serving in a variety of roles and finishing with three years in the department head position of Director of Regulatory Services. As Director, Noah was appointed by two mayors and responsible for 190 team members across five divisions as well as a balanced $24 million budget. During his ten years in Regulatory Services, Noah was the primary department representative for thirteen council members, the Mayor, and their staff.

Noah is a Credentialed Manager with the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), holds a master’s degree in public administration from Hamline University, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Marquette University. He is a member of ICMA and, in addition to being a member, serves as First Vice President of the board of directors for the Minnesota City/County Management Association (MCMA). In 2023, Noah was awarded the ICMA Local Government 20 Years of Service Award and the MCMA President’s Award. 

Cindy Steinhauser is an experienced local government leader with over 25 years in city management and public service. She currently serves as Deputy City Administrator for Rochester, Minnesota, where she helps lead economic development and community investment efforts, including the $5.6 billion Destination Medical Center initiative.

Cindy is a Credentialed Manager through the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and serves on the ICMA Board as a Midwest Vice President. She has held national leadership roles, including Vice Chair of ICMA’s International Committee and Chair of the Sustainable Community Advisory Committee. She has also served on the National Civic League Board.

Previously, Cindy was the first female City Manager in Frankfort, Kentucky, and spent over two decades in Dubuque, Iowa, most recently as Assistant City Manager. In each of these communities, she has played a central role in transformative projects totaling nearly $1 billion in downtown, riverfront, and district revitalization.

Her leadership has spanned multiple strategic areas including equity and inclusion, arts and culture, performance measurement, placemaking, and sustainability. In 2017, she received the Women of Achievement Award for her contributions to public service and community transformation.

Cindy holds degrees in Finance and Economics and an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership from the Harvard Kennedy School.

Zach Walker has nearly two decades of executive local government experience and currently serves as city manager of Independence, the fifth largest city in Missouri. He oversees a full-service city of more than 1,200 employees and a $454 million budget. He has led major initiatives focused on strategic planning, fiscal discipline, organizational modernization, and inclusive community development.

Walker has championed transformational projects including a $1 billion industrial development, a $36 million commercial redevelopment, and the first Comprehensive Development Plan update in 25 years. He led the creation of the City’s first Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and implemented its inaugural Tourism Master Plan. Other major accomplishments include completing over $70 million in capital improvements, launching a citywide housing study, and expanding mental health and homelessness outreach services through innovative partnerships.

Known for his financial acumen, Walker has secured sustainable labor agreements while reducing the City’s long-term debt obligations and increasing its reserve funds. A recognized collaborator, he guided the citizen-led strategy and public education effort for the City’s first-ever General Obligation Bond and built strong public-private partnerships that fueled economic growth and elevated median household income by nearly 30%. He is known for aligning public service delivery with long-term vision, data-informed decision-making, and equitable community engagement.

Walker began his career in the Missouri House of Representatives and the Mid-Missouri Regional Planning Commission before completing the Cookingham-Noll Fellowship with the City of Kansas City, Missouri. He joined Independence in 2012, rising from Internal Auditor to Assistant City Manager before becoming City Manager in 2016. He holds a Master of Public Affairs from the University of Missouri, is an ICMA-Credentialed Manager, and currently serves as President of the Missouri City/County Management Association (MCMA).