She grew up in Kingston, Jamaica, a land of great food, great music, and an appreciation for approaching life in a positive way.  Today, Sharon Subudan takes that positivity instilled in her in her youth and brings it to Albany as its city manager.

“I am passionate about public service and the ability to impact the daily lives of citizens by the work I do. I’m excited about all the potential of Albany and the possibilities of what we can become as well as who we are. Albany has all of the right ingredients for great quality of life. I believe in Albany.”

Mother to three boys and married to her husband, Carl, for 31 years, Sharon has been in progressively responsible positions in the public sector for 26 years. Her family and her faith are what have gotten her to this point, she says.

“God has guided and been with me throughout my life’s journey,” she says. “Even when I didn’t feel like He was there, He was!”

Her family is her rock and greatest cheerleaders, she admits. Her oldest son blessed her with her first grandchild one and half years ago, and her twin boys are following their dreams of becoming civil engineers. As hard as she works, she enjoys her downtime, too.

Great food and eating out, travel cruises, and the beach are favorites. Take stay-cations and learning about new places is always fun for her and her husband, she admits. A self-admitted mobile device junkie, there is at least one place she’ll gladly give up her phone. On a cruise.

“We enjoy a spirit of adventure and like having new experiences,” she says. But how does she clear her head on an ordinary Sunday afternoon before a busy week?

With just a simple walk or bike ride in good weather. And a Sunday afternoon nap… well, that’s always welcome.