Chantal Naomi Lima Barbosa is the daughter of Cape Verdean immigrants. She was born in Boston, MA, and raised in Praia, Cabo Verde. In 2010, Chantal returned to Boston, attending Jeremiah E. Burke High School and graduating at the top of her class in 2012. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science in 2016 and a Master of Higher Education and Administration in 2018 from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.  

In February 2020, Chantal was appointed as the Cabo Verde Liaison for Mayor Walsh in the Office of Neighborhood Services. In this role, Chantal was the primary contact for the Mid-Dorchester and Cabo Verdean communities in the City of Boston. Chantal was a critical source for residents learning to navigate city services, including the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the 2021 Mayoral transition, Chantal was appointed to serve as the Mayor’s City Council Liaison under Mayor Janey’s administration, playing a significant role in leading the approval and passage of the city’s FY22, FY23, and FY24 budget proposals. 

In June 2023, she reconnected with her passion—education—and started a new role at Duet, a higher education coaching non-profit, serving as one of their directors of recruitment.

In August 2023, Chantal was appointed by Mayor Michelle Wu as the first Cabo Verdean Woman sitting on the Boston School Committee.

Aside from her educational and professional journey, Chantal is also known as a recording artist, Queency Barbosa, and has been honored to share the stage with renowned artists such as Tito Paris, Ferry Y Gaita, Kaka Barbosa, and more! Music has been her therapy throughout various trials and tribulations, but it is also something that she is very passionate about and proud of!