Mayor Katie Wilson announced a series of pivotal leadership appointments today, signaling a new direction for several key city departments while retaining veteran expertise in others. Expressing high confidence in her newly assembled team, Mayor Wilson stated that the collective talent and expertise of these leaders will allow the city to accomplish "extraordinary things".

New Faces in Key Roles

The announcement introduces several new leaders to the city's executive cabinet:

• Quynh Pham has been named the Acting Director of the Department of Neighborhoods. Formerly the Executive Director of Friends of Little Saigon, Pham brings 14 years of nonprofit development experience focused on cultural preservation and equitable development. Pham noted that her work will sit at the "intersection of community and government".

• Amy Nguyen will serve as the Acting Director of the Office of Arts and Culture. A seasoned public sector leader with over a decade of experience, Nguyen previously served as the Deputy Director at the Office of Planning & Community Development (OPCD). Her vision for the department focuses on making creativity accessible in every neighborhood.

• Beto Yarce takes the helm of the Office of Economic Development as Acting Director. A former Regional Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration under President Joe Biden, Yarce aims to build an inclusive economy "from the bottom up," drawing on his personal experience as an immigrant and small business owner.

• Lylianna Allala has been appointed Acting Director of the Office of Sustainability and the Environment. Allala, who previously served as Seattle’s first Climate Justice Director and led efforts for the Green New Deal, emphasized that "caring for the environment must begin with caring for one another".

Stability Through Retained Leadership

Mayor Wilson is also opting for continuity in several departments by retaining current directors:

• Rico Quirindongo will remain the Director of the Office of Planning and Community Development. With over 30 years of experience in urban revitalization, Quirindongo will lead the implementation of the city’s Comprehensive Plan passed in December.

• Mina Hashemi continues as the head of the Office of Intergovernmental Relations.

• Dr. Amarah Khan remains the head of the Office of the Employee Ombud, where she has served for nearly seven years.

Interim Transitions and Outgoing Leaders

The Mayor's announcement also includes shifts in interim leadership as the city searches for permanent directors for other departments. Andréa Akita will serve as Interim Director for the Office of Housing, following the departure of Maiko Winkler-Chin. Additionally, Michele Finnegan will step in as Acting Superintendent of Seattle Parks and Recreation as AP Diaz departs.

Mayor Wilson expressed her gratitude to the outgoing leaders for their years of service and thanked the interim leaders for assisting with her administration's transition. Outgoing officials, such as Gülgün Kayim (Arts and Culture), Maiko Winkler-Chin (Housing), and AP Diaz (Parks), highlighted significant achievements during their tenures, including post-pandemic recovery efforts, the passage of a nearly $1 billion Housing Levy, and securing United Nations "role model" city status for urban forest regeneration