Amy Phuong is joining Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed’s administration as his newest and youngest senior staffer.
Phuong, 27, has been named the city’s chief service officer, a newly created position funded by a $200,000 Cities of Service Leadership Grant from the Rockefeller Foundation and Bloomberg Philanthropies.
She is one of only a handful of chief service officers throughout the country and will direct a citywide plan to increase volunteerism and help the city respond to critical local problems.
“This is a unique opportunity to bridge what I have been doing and my passion for service,” Phuong said. “Service is a passion of mine. It helped me develop my character when I was younger.”
In June, Atlanta was one of 10 cities selected to receive one of the $200,000 grants over the next two years. Funded in part by Bloomberg Philanthropies, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg hired the country’s first chief service officer, Diahann Billings-Burford, in June 2009.
“With this appointment, Amy will be tasked with increasing volunteerism in a strategic manner, developing new partnerships with businesses and philanthropic leaders, implementing action-oriented plans, and delivering concrete results for our residents,” Reed said. ‘
A graduate of Georgia Tech, Phuong has held board positions with Keep Atlanta Beautiful, Dad’s Garage Theatre and the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta’s Cole Society.
She also has been on the Quality of Life Advisory Committee for the Fort McPherson Redevelopment Project and the Campaign for Atlanta. She is president-elect of Outstanding Atlanta and a class of 2009 member of L.E.A.D. Atlanta.
Phuong also volunteered for Reed when he was running for mayor.
“This is really serving as the link and bridge to the government and business to create a robust conversation about what can service do,” Phuong said.
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