New Intersectional Local Government Positions

Over the past few years, local governments have begun to create new staff roles with cross-sectoral functions reflecting new priorities, including Detroit's Digital Inclusion Officer, New York's Director of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Miami's Chief Heat Officer, and Boston's Director of Green Infrastructure. In the post-COVID corporate world, many companies have added the position of Chief Well-Being Officer.

This trend signals a more holistic approach to city government. Instead of perpetuating siloed department structures, local governments are now centralizing leadership in their priority areas while making sure all relevant departments report to these priority areas, which facilitates more effective collaboration. This approach is especially pertinent regarding climate change, which impacts the whole of local governments and is best mitigated and adapted to through interdepartmental strategizing.