Mayor Greg Nickels has nominated Julie Nelson as the new director of the Seattle Office for Civil Rights.

Nickels selected Nelson after an extensive nationwide search, headed by a committee made up of community representatives and representatives from Seattle Office of Civil Rights's three commissions - Sexual Minorities Commission, Seattle Women's Commission and the Human Rights Commission. Nelson has served as acting director since the retirement in June of Germaine Covington.

"Julie has a strong background not only in leadership, management, and analysis, but she also brings to the table a real commitment to civil rights and a clear understanding of the challenges ahead. As Seattle's population becomes more diverse, Seattle Office of Civil Rights must build on its successes and forge new paths to ensure Seattle remains an inclusive and livable city for all of our residents. I'm confident Julie can provide that leadership," said Nickels.

Nelson has worked for the city of Seattle since 1988 with more than ten years in the Human Services Department. She also served a one-year stint as a Community Builder Fellow with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development where she worked across a four-state area to bring reason to bureaucratic regulations to widely diverse communities. As acting director of Seattle Office of Civil Rights, Nelson launched a new effort to track and improve customer service, increased the accessibility of city services to immigrant and refugee communities, and provided leadership in the city's Race and Social Justice Initiative.

"Civil rights are a part of this city's promise and commitment. I am excited to lead a department that will help make equal rights and social justice a reality for everyone in Seattle," said Nelson.

Nelson received her bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Arizona and her master's degree in Economics from the University of Washington.