Mayor Martin Walsh announced this week that Egleston Square resident Alexandra Valdez will be the new head of the Mayor’s Office of Women’s Advancement.
Valdez’s appointment as executive director of the department that the Walsh Administration created is part of a wave of new leadership at several key City of Boston departments, including the Mayor’s Offices of Women’s Advancement, Intergovernmental Relations, Neighborhood Services, and the Inspectional Services Department.
Valdez, who previously served as the director of engagement for the City’s Economic Mobility Lab, will replace Tania Del Rio as executive director of the Office of Women’s Advancement following Rio’s departure from City Hall to take a job in the nonprofit sector.
As head of the office, Valdez will oversee daily operations for the Office of Women’s Advancement, which creates specific programming and opportunities that support economic equity, safety, and empowerment, and representation.
Some of the office’s most recent work includes research on paid parental leave and childcare affordability; a multi-pronged approach to closing the gender pay gaps; reducing the demand for commercial sexual exploitation; and creating specific programming for women entrepreneurs.
Valdez’s previous role in the City’s Economic Mobility Lab has given her the experience necessary for her latest challenge. During her time at the Mobility Lab Valdez and a team of social entrepreneurs within the Mayor’s Office of Policy researched and tested ideas to increase upward economic mobility for low- and moderate-income Bostonians.
Valdez got her start in City Hall serving as Mayor Walsh’s neighborhood liaison for Jamaica Plain and the Latino community in the Office of Neighborhood Services.
Valdez holds a bachelor’s degree from Fitchburg State University and is finalizing a master’s degree from Suffolk University. She was born in the Dominican Republic and lives in Egleston Square.
The Mayor also appointed Kaitlin Passafaro to director of the office of Intergovernmental Relations (IGR). Current chief of staff for the Civic Engagement Cabinet, Edward M. McGuire III, will assume the role of director of the Office of Neighborhood Services (ONS). Also, Jessica Thomas, the Mayor’s current liaison to Roxbury will assume the role of Assistant Commissioner of Constituent Services at ISD.
“Alexandra Valdez is a dedicated public servant that has gone above and beyond to serve the city, especially during difficult times like these,” said Mayor Walsh. “The work of all City departments is crucial to our overall mission of serving the residents of Boston in the best way we can. I am incredibly proud and excited to welcome Alexandra, Katilin, Eddie and Jessica into their new roles and look forward to what we can accomplish together.”