PHILADELPHIA – Mayor Kenney today announced the appointment of Marisa Waxman as Budget Director, succeeding Anna Adams. He also named Christian Dunbar to succeed Rasheia Johnson as City Treasurer.

“Since 2016, my Administration has benefited greatly from the leadership and wisdom of Anna Adams and Rasheia Johnson,” said Mayor Kenney. “They have approached their differing roles with identical commitments: to safeguard taxpayer dollars, and to improve this government’s effectiveness. I am truly sorry to see them move on, and I thank them for their service. We are fortunate to fill these posts from within the ranks of the Finance and Revenue Departments. Marisa Waxman and Christian Dunbar are dedicated public servants whose talent and expertise make them equally suited to these important tasks.”

Budget Director Anna Adams:
Anna Adams began with the City’s Finance Department as Assistant Budget Director in 2008.  She was promoted to Deputy Budget Director a year later, and became Chief of Staff to the Finance Director in 2011.  Mayor Kenney appointed Adams as Budget Director at the beginning of his Administration in January 2016, overseeing a $5 billion annual general operating budget and a $3 billion annual capital budget. During her tenure as Director, Adams successfully implemented program-based budgeting, a best practice tool which allows the Administration to focus on performance data to better inform budgetary decisions, oversaw substantial increases in the City’s fund balances and the first ever deposit into the Rainy Day fund.

Adams has a master’s degree in government administration from the Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania. She is returning to her native Wales to serve as Deputy Director of Tax Strategy, Policy and Engagement within the Welsh Treasury. In that capacity, Adams will help develop and deliver Welsh tax policy, following recent significant changes to the fiscal powers of the Welsh Government.  Her resignation from the City is effective July 23.

City Treasurer Rasheia Johnson:
Rasheia Johnson was appointed City Treasurer by Mayor Kenney at the start of his Administration in January 2016. In that capacity, she oversees the cash management and investments of all City funds, all custodial and commercial banking relationships, and the disbursement of funds. In addition to managing the City’s $9 Billion outstanding bond portfolio, she is responsible for overseeing the issuance of all notes and bonds on behalf of the City’s General Fund and Enterprise Funds (Airport, Gas Works, Water and Wastewater) to finance capital projects and major equipment acquisition in adherence with the City’s debt policy, and ensures that all principal and interest is paid in a timely and efficient manner. During Johnson’s tenure Fitch recently improved its outlook on the City’s General Obligation (GO) to Positive from Stable. This is the first time in over ten (10) years Fitch has assigned a Positive outlook to the City’s GO credit.

Throughout her career, Johnson has managed over $11 billion in transactions and has provided complex technical and analytical expertise for a variety of bond issuers. Prior to becoming City Treasurer, Johnson worked as an investment banker, financial advisor, and bond issuer, including at Siebert Cisneros Shank, Loop Capital Markets, and at Public Financial Management in their Philadelphia Offices. Johnson’s resignation is effective July 9. She is leaving the City to focus on raising her two young children.

Marisa Waxman:
Marisa Waxman is currently First Deputy Revenue Commissioner, concentrating on revenue policy, regulation, and programs, as well as communications and intergovernmental affairs. She works to expand access to assistance programs for homeowners and led the implementation of Philadelphia Beverage Tax. She is committed to utilizing behavioral economics, community input, and data analysis to improve tax and water revenue administration.

Waxman’s previous work at the Department of Revenue includes tenure as Deputy Commissioner for Policy & Analysis on tax and water revenue issues and Staff Director for the 2009 Mayor’s Tax Force on Tax Policy and Economic Competitiveness. She began her career with the City of Philadelphia in the Controller’s Office and has also held positions in the Office of Property Assessment and the Office of the Director of Finance.

She also worked as a Senior Project Manager at the New York City Department of Finance, focusing on revenue collection and administration; and joined the staff of Economy League of Greater Philadelphia, where she researched and promoted local government performance improvements, budget analysis and process reform, civic education, and best practices.

Waxman holds a BA and a Master of City Planning degree from the University of Pennsylvania and is a proud member of the 255th graduating class of Central High School. She is a member of the American Planning Association, maintains accreditation with the American Institute of City Planning (AICP), has taught Public Finance and Budgeting at Temple University, and is active in several civic and non-profit organizations.

Christian Dunbar:
Christian Dunbar is the Deputy Treasurer for the City of Philadelphia. In this capacity, Dunbar oversees the issuance of all notes and bonds on behalf of the City’s General Fund and Enterprise Funds used to finance capital projects. Dunbar serves as a Mayoral appointee and Chairman of the Philadelphia Land Bank Board of Directors.  He also serves as an advisor to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the World Bank Group for the advancement of capital market development, structured product development, and governance in Emerging Markets.

Prior to joining the City, Dunbar was a Wealth Manager with Wells Fargo Advisor. In that capacity, he managed investments and credit products for high-net worth individuals, institutions, and public entities. Dunbar has also advised several African governments on fiscal and monetary policy. As a speaker, Dunbar has presented at conferences in the US, Canada, Africa, and Europe on topics including capital market development, emerging market risk, and Environmental Social & Governance (ESG) impact.

Dunbar holds a BA from Temple University (where he was named the Most Valuable Player and Captain of the football team). Dunbar has held Series 7 and Series 66 professional investment licenses.

Dunbar is of Liberian descent. His maternal grandfather, William V.S. Tubman, served as President of Liberia for 27 years. Dunbar is also a descendant of American abolitionist and humanitarian Harriet Tubman. He lives in West Philadelphia with his wife and two children.