Born in Angola to a Cape Verdean family and raised in the U.S. from the age of five, Ligia has lived a life driven by perseverance, purpose, and profound gratitude. A graduate of Brandeis University and Georgetown University Law Center, she spent a decade as a trial attorney before pausing her legal career to raise her two children, Allie and Nick. During that time, she devoted herself to service in the community, volunteering at her kids’ schools including Brick House, St. Mary’s Primary, and Coyle Cassidy Middle & High School. Being a part of these school communities was incredibly rewarding and led to many lasting friendships.
In 2020, Ligia answered the call by Mayor Shaunna O’Connell to help serve the community during the pandemic as a COVID Coordinator for the City of Taunton. Her leadership and dedication quickly led to her appointment as Deputy Chief of Staff, and she now serves as Chief of Staff in the Mayor’s Office, where she is a strong advocate for City employees and a powerful ally to nonprofits, local businesses, and the broader Taunton community.
Ligia is one of the first to arrive at City Hall each day and one of the last to leave. She thrives on the challenge of working with the Mayor and her fellow employees to help run a complex and dynamic city and embraces being a public servant after having spent much of her life in the private sector. Whether advocating for others, leading with compassion, or curling up with a good book, Ligia is driven by a deep sense of gratitude—for her supportive family, the blessing of good friends and co-workers, and the opportunities that continue to shape her path.
