PHILADELPHIA — Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and the City of Philadelphia yesterday announced the appointment of 10 new senior officials to lead critical departments within the City of Philadelphia.
With these announcements, more than 100 officials and senior staff members have been appointed to guide the Parker Administration’s work towards addressing the needs of our community and enhancing Philadelphia’s future.
19 months into her administration, Mayor Parker continues to build out her team – reflecting her ongoing commitment to working every day to create a Safer, Cleaner, Greener Philadelphia, with access to Economic Opportunity for All.
“As we welcome these individuals to our team, it’s clear that their dedication to public service will be important as we tackle various issues and improve the quality of life in Philadelphia,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “The new officials will address significant challenges facing our city, including wellness and behavioral health, civil rights, immigration, diversity and other issues.”
Mayor Parker emphasized the importance of finding the right talent to serve the residents of Philadelphia, stating, “We are never done. We will continue to look for the right people for the right positions at the right moments.”
Key Appointments
Kehinde “Kenny” Solanke – Commissioner of the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS)
Will Assume Role: September 2, 2025
Kehinde Solanke, who has over two decades of service to Philadelphia, previously served as the Senior Director of Operations for Crisis Services at DBHIDS. She is recognized for her innovative leadership, particularly in launching citywide initiatives such as the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and Philadelphia’s first Behavioral Health Urgent Care Center. In her new role, she will oversee all aspects of DBHIDS, including behavioral health, substance use disorder services, and intellectual disability support. View Kehinde “Kenny” Solanke’s headshot here.
Renee Chenault Fattah – Executive Director of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations and the Philadelphia Commission on Fair Housing
Assumed Role: June 30, 2025
With vast expertise in communications and journalism, including having served as the weekday news co-anchor at NBC10 for 25 years, Chenault Fattah is prepared to take on fighting discrimination, ensuring equal rights, and helping build stronger communities. During her 40-year career as an attorney, Ms. Chenault Fattah served as the Executive Director of Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity, an attorney at both the Senior Law Center and a large New York Law Firm and as a Law Clerk for Damon J. Keith, a U.S. Appeals Court judge. View Renee Chenault Fattah’s headshot here.
Charlie Elison – Executive Director of the Office of Immigrant Affairs (OIA)
Assumed Role: July 7, 2025
Elison joins the OIA after serving in a strategic communications role at US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). He has a rich background in public service, including national and global experience with FEMA and the United States Army. Elison diverse perspective will help advance the Parker Administration’s efforts to support Philadelphia’s immigrant community. View Charlie Elison’s headshot here.
Donna Jackson Stephans – Interim Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)
Assumed Role: In transition from Airport DEI post
With a distinguished career spanning over 20 years, Jackson Stephans has been a prominent leader in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion field. Her extensive expertise includes addressing disparities within the Texas child protection system, advancing workforce development initiatives, and establishing a municipal learning ecosystem. Most recently, Jackson Stephans served as Vice President of Aviation at the Philadelphia International Airport, where she successfully integrated DEI strategies with small business development programs. She brings a wealth of experience in promoting institutional equity across various sectors, including human services, education, human resources, and government. The City is excited to have her on board as we continue to foster a culture of inclusivity and equity within our administration. View Donna Jackson Stephans’ headshot here.
Greg Phillips – Chief Operating Officer, PHL International Airport
Assumed Role: May 12, 2025
In addition to his extensive background in airport operations, Greg Phillips is known for his collaborative approach and commitment to innovation in the aviation sector. He has successfully implemented several initiatives aimed at enhancing efficiency and safety at the airports he has managed. Greg is also passionate about sustainability and has championed various green initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of airport operations. His ability to engage with communities and stakeholders has resulted in stronger partnerships and improved public relations. With his leadership, Philadelphia International Airport is poised to elevate its operational excellence and customer experience. View Greg Phillips’ headshot here.
Elizabeth Lankenau – Director, Office of Sustainability
Assumed Role: May 28, 2025
A life-long Philadelphian and graduate of Central High School, Elizabeth comes from a family of librarians, which inspired her dedication to public service. She is a certified city planner with over 25 years of experience across various city departments, including the Philadelphia Historical Commission and the Water Department. Since March 2023, Lankenau has served as Interim Director of the City’s Office of Sustainability where she has worked directly to make Philadelphia a safer, cleaner, and greener city with access to economic opportunity for all. View Elizabeth Lankenau’s headshot here.
Cydney Irving-Dasent – Chief of Children and Family Support Services in the Office of Children and Families (OCF)
Assumed Role: June 9, 2025
Irving-Dasent brings a deep commitment to supporting families and children in Philadelphia. With extensive experience in child welfare and family services, she will be crucial in enhancing services and resources for vulnerable populations, ensuring that every child and family has the support they need. In this role, Irving-Dasent will support Career Connected Learning (C2L), Out of School Time Services (OST), and the Department of Human Services (DHS) Education Support Center (ESC). View Cydney Irving-Dasent’s headshot here.
Mark Dodds – Deputy Director, Department of Housing and Community Development
Assumed Role: July 30, 2025
Dodds brings a strong background in housing policy and community development. His extensive experience will support the administration’s commitment to affordable housing and community revitalization efforts. As Deputy Director, he will play a crucial role in addressing the housing needs of Philadelphia residents. Dodds is responsible for overseeing daily operations, including directing the development and implementation of affordable housing programs and services. The Deputy Director position is a pivotal role in our $2 Billion H.O.M.E. Initiative to build, preserve and restore 30,000 units of housing, as well as provide leadership to ongoing programmatic operations, including oversight of major federal grant funding. Prior to being named Deputy, Mark served as the leader of the Policy and Programs unit at DHCD. View Mark Dodds’ headshot here.
Leah Uko – Press Secretary, Deputy Communications Director, Mayor’s Office of Communications
Assumed Role: May 27, 2025
Leah Uko joins the Parker administration following a decorated career in broadcast, on-air journalism, where most recently, she reported with NBC10 – where she covered the early days of the Parker administration. As Press Secretary, Uko will focus on front line responses to the news media. Uko’s Emmy-Award winning journalism work highlighted Black American stories, historically untold. But her most prominent coverage included leading breaking news incidents involving gun violence in Philadelphia, raging wildfires and the homeless crisis across Southern California, and civil rights advancements out West and in the Deep South. View Leah Uko’s headshot here.
Nicole Morris – Deputy Director, Office of Human Resources
Assumed Role: June 2, 2025
Nicole Morris has also been a passionate advocate for workplace equality and employee rights throughout her career. During her time in the City’s Law Department, she was instrumental in promoting diversity initiatives and creating a supportive environment for all employees. Her leadership in developing training programs on anti-discrimination and harassment not only informed staff about their rights but also fostered a culture of respect and inclusion within the workplace. With her extensive experience and commitment to public service, Nicole is well-equipped to enhance our strategic partnerships and elevate the effectiveness of the Office of Human Resources. We are excited to have her expertise and vision to guide us forward. View Nicole Morris’ headshot here.
“We encourage residents to engage with these leaders. Your input is important as we work to ensure that Philadelphia is a thriving and inclusive community with a government that people can see, touch and feel,” the Mayor concluded.
For more information about the Parker Administration and ongoing initiatives, visit phila.gov or contact us at Press@phila.gov.