Carla Williams-Scott Appointed as the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods
[COLUMBUS-OH] Mayor Andrew
J. Ginther announced the appointment of Carla Williams-Scott as the director of
the newly formed Department of Neighborhoods this afternoon at the Westgate
Shelterhouse.
“To lead this department, I
needed someone who is well-known and respected in the various communities,”
said Mayor Ginther. “I also needed someone who could share her thoughts and
opinions. Carla is the perfect choice.”
Williams-Scott currently
serves as the Assistant Director of Economic Development and Community
Partnerships for Franklin County. In her role, she manages the Board of
Commissioners Community Partnership Grant program that provides support to
local community-based organizations that serve county residents, as well as the
People Works Workforce Development program which assists low-income county
residents to obtain full-time living-wage jobs and career pathways leading out
of poverty.
Columbus City Councilmember
Shannon Hardin who chairs the Neighborhoods committee is in full agreement with
the appointment.
“This department was
created so that anyone, in any neighborhood can have easy access to the
services the City provides,” said Councilmember Shannon Hardin. “With her successes in working with the
community, Director Williams-Scott will ensure that happens.”
“I have a passion for
working with cross-cultural groups that empower individuals to have their
voices heard so that they can advocate for themselves and others as well as
groups that promote literacy, education and health and wellness,” said
Williams-Scott. “This appointment allows me to do all of that. I am
thrilled.”
Prior to joining Franklin
County Economic Development & Planning, she served as the Assistant
Director for Franklin County Job & Family Services where she managed
Publicly Funded Child Care, Workforce Development, Development Support Services
and Quality Support Services for the agency.
She is a graduate of
Leadership Columbus and The United Way of Central Ohio Project Diversity
Leadership programs. She has served on the board of the Kiaca Art Gallery, the
Epilepsy Association of Central Ohio, and Friends of the Library, Columbus
Metropolitan Library. She currently serves on the board of Community Research
Partners.
Carla earned a Bachelor of
Science degree in Bio-Medical Communications from The Ohio State University.
The new Department of
Neighborhoods will consolidate constituent services: Neighborhood Pride,
Community Relations Commission, neighborhood liaisons and 311 customer service
center. Williams-Scott will begin work with the City of Columbus in early July.
###