Mayor Walsh appoints Giselle Sterling Commissioner of Veterans' services

Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the appointment of Giselle Sterling as Commissioner of Veterans’ Services for the City of Boston. She  will be the first Latina and first woman to hold this position. Sterling has served as interim Commissioner for the department since January 16, 2015.

"Giselle is an effective leader and I’m pleased to make permanent her appointment as Veterans’ Services Commissioner," said Mayor Walsh. "Her commitment to advocacy and serving our veterans is invaluable to our community and our city, and I'm pleased she'll continue serving with us in this capacity."

"I am grateful to Mayor Walsh for this opportunity to serve Boston veterans," said Sterling. "It is my honor to work for the men and women who have worn the uniform for our country."  

Sterling joined the City of Boston as a Community Relations Specialist in March 2012. Prior to that Sterling served in the United States Marine Corps. In 2000 she completed basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina and was soon after trained as a Field Radio Operator with deployments to Kandahar, Afghanistan; the Philippines; Guam; Diego Garcia and Okinawa, Japan. Giselle was honorably discharged in 2004 and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.

Sterling also previously worked as a Special Event Coordinator for El Mundo Newspaper, and as a Charitable Campaign Coordinator for Action For Boston Community Development, Inc.

The first daughter to be born in the United States to Dominican parents, Sterling is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Lowell and resides in Boston’s historic North End.