Mayor Cherelle Parker fills 10 key roles, including DEI, immigrant affairs, and behavioral health leaders

Key Appointments in Mayor Parker’s Administration

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker has recently announced a series of key appointments to fill 10 top positions within her administration. These roles had remained vacant for varying periods, some as short as one week and others for up to 16 months. The moves are part of an effort to stabilize the city's leadership and address pressing issues facing Philadelphia.

One of the most notable appointments is Kehinde “Kenny” Solanke as the new commissioner of the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services (DBHIDS). This position had been without a permanent leader since March 2024, just two months after Parker took office. Solanke will play a critical role in addressing the opioid crisis, particularly in neighborhoods like Kensington.

“I step into this role with humility, a sense of urgency, and deep commitment to the people of this city,” Solanke said. She emphasized the importance of a wellness ecosystem that connects behavioral health to safety, housing, and opportunity, aiming to support individuals in healing, recovery, and thriving.

Solanke brings over 26 years of experience working with Community Behavioral Health, a nonprofit that coordinates Medicaid coverage for behavioral health services in Philadelphia. She previously served as senior director of operations at the organization. Her first day with the city is set for September 2, and she will earn a salary of $236,000.

Another significant appointment is Donna Jackson Stephans as interim chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer. She replaces Brandee Anderson, who was fired last week along with Tyrell Brown, the city’s director of LGBTQ affairs. Their termination followed an inspector general investigation into the handling of a “semi-nude” photo sent by a top-ranking official on a cruising app. Parker’s office has not commented on the incident, citing confidentiality policies.

Anderson criticized her dismissal, calling it “unjust” and questioning the administration’s commitment to DEI initiatives. However, Parker defended her approach during a news conference, highlighting the diversity among her top aides, including three Black women. She stated that the city remains committed to DEI efforts.

Immigrant Affairs and Leadership

Parker also made a long-awaited appointment for the Philadelphia Office of Immigrant Affairs, naming Charlie Ellison as director. The position had been vacant since Amy Eusebio left in 2017. Ellison, a South Philadelphia native, has extensive experience in communications and public service. He worked for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Federal Emergency Management Agency before stepping down in June 2025.

Ellison, who has served in the National Guard for 23 years, started his role with the city on July 7 and earns a salary of $135,000. He emphasized the positive contributions of immigrant communities to Philadelphia but did not directly address federal immigration policies under President Trump. Parker has expressed a commitment to maintaining the city’s immigrant-friendly policies while avoiding a confrontational stance that could draw attention from the federal government.

Additional Leadership Roles

Other appointments include:

• Renee Chenault-Fattah as executive director of the Philadelphia Human Relations Commission.
• Elizabeth Lankenau as director of the Philadelphia Office of Sustainability.
• Leah Uko as press secretary and deputy communications director.
• Cydney Irving-Dasent as chief of children and family support services for the Philadelphia Office of Children and Families.
• Greg Philips as chief operating officer of Philadelphia International Airport.
• Nicole Morris as deputy director of the office of human resources.
• Mark Dodds as deputy director in the department of housing and community development.

Despite these appointments, one position remains unfilled: the director of the labor department, which enforces worker protection laws. Christopher Godfrey was appointed earlier this year but stepped down due to personal reasons. A national search is currently underway to find a replacement.

These appointments reflect Parker’s ongoing efforts to build a stable and effective administration while addressing the diverse needs of Philadelphia’s residents.