Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee announces leadership team hires
After a little over a month in office, Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee announced her leadership team, highlighting key hires such as Miya Saika Chen as chief of staff and Justin Phillips as communications director. The team includes Erica Joy Astrella, who previously led technology initiatives at Parkwood Entertainment and GitHub, and Rev. Damita Davis-Howard, a veteran in public safety and anti-gun violence programs. LaNiece Jones, who served as a deputy mayor under Interim Mayor Kevin Jenkins, now oversees community engagement. The Mayor's Office of Innovation will also feature three members from the Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities program, focusing on sustainable development.
City Administrator Jestin Johnson further revealed the return of Michelle Phillips as assistant city administrator and the hiring of Jan Mazyck as interim finance director. This leadership roster reflects a commitment to both innovation and community safety in Oakland. Additional hires may be announced as the administration continues to take shape. The diverse backgrounds of these leaders aim to foster a responsive and effective city administration.