City Manager Announces New Executive Level Appointments

-Office of Equity and Human Rights Established-

City Manager T.C. Broadnax announced new staff appointments and the creation of the new Office of Equity and Human Rights to further the Equity and Empowerment Initiative, which was identified as the City Council’s top priority in 2014. These new appointments are effective Oct. 6.

Broadnax has appointed Diane Powers as director of the office to lead a nine person staff comprised of existing City resources. The Equity and Human Rights staff will partner with City Departments and help with community outreach to increase access to services and opportunities to satisfy essential needs, advance well-being and help all people achieve their full potential. The new office will focus on implementing the framework of the Equity and Empowerment Initiative, which was passed unanimously by the City Council on Sept. 30, 2014, and gave City leadership the ability to create the office.

The City Manager has also formally appointed Nadia Chandler Hardy as the Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) Director. Chandler Hardy will also continue to serve in her current role as Assistant to the City Manager. Additionally, as a result of Powers’ transition to lead the new Office of Equity and Human Rights, Pam Duncan has been appointed the Human Services Division Manager in NCS. 

Lastly, the Office of Environmental Policy and Sustainability is being transitioned to the Environmental Services Department to have a broader scope and create better integration, capacity and strategic alignment for sustainability efforts in both the organization and community.