On November 16, 2010, the Grand Rapids City Commission appointed Dr. Donijo Robbins DeJonge, PhD as the City Comptroller, filling a 9-month vacancy when the former City Comptroller resigned in March 2010. Donijo was sworn into the Office of City Comptroller on December 1, 2010 and her appointment expires December 31, 2011.

In addition to her role as City Comptroller, Donijo is a tenured, full professor of Public Finance with the School of Public, Nonprofit, and Health Administration at Grand Valley State University. She is also the Secretary and Archivist for the Association for Public Budgeting and Finance, a member of the Government Finance Officers Association, The Economic Club of Grand Rapids, The Grand Rapids Urban League, and The American Society of Public Administration. Donijo was a member and chair of GVSU’s Faculty Salary and Budget Committee, a position she relinquished when appointed City Comptroller.

As City Comptroller, Donijo believes she has a unique opportunity to work with the City Commission, City Management, and above all work for the citizens of Grand Rapids to improve fiscal accountability and transparency and identify and eliminate inefficiencies.

Donijo lives on the Northeast side of Grand Rapids four blocks from her childhood home with her husband and two dogs. She received a Bachelor’s degree in political science and economics from Central Michigan University, a Master’s degree in economics and a PhD in public administration from Rutgers University.