Carla Williams-Scott was appointed the first Director of the Department of Neighborhoods in June 2016.
Director Williams-Scott previously served as the Assistant Director of Economic Development and Community Partnerships for Franklin County. In her role, she managed the Board of Commissioners Community Partnership Grant program, a $16,000,000 portfolio that provides support to local community-based organizations that serve county residents. In addition to the Community Partnership program, she managed the People Works Workforce Development program which assists low-income county residents to obtain full-time living-wage jobs and career pathways leading out of poverty. Prior to joining Franklin County Economic Development & Planning, she served as the Assistant Director for Franklin County Job & Family Services where she managed, Publicly Funded Child Care, Workforce Development, Development Support Services and Quality Support Services for the agency.
Prior to joining Franklin County, Carla served as the Assistant Director for the City of Columbus Department of Development, Legislation & Contracts and Neighborhood Services. In this role, she managed both the Legislation and Contracts and Neighborhood Services divisions. These units were responsible for overseeing all aspects of the department's legislative and contracts process including developing, reviewing and monitoring for contract compliance. In addition, she provided oversight to the five outreach offices (Neighborhood Pride Centers) and the Pride Center Managers and Liaisons for each office. These offices serve as the "face" of the City in communities throughout the greater Columbus area and allow residents to have access to City services and staff in their community.
Before joining the Columbus Department of Development Carla served as the Community Affairs Coordinator for the office of Mayor Michael Coleman and as the Deputy Director for the City of Columbus Community Relations Commission. In addition she has held several positions with the United Way of Central Ohio which included both fundraising and project management.
Carla has a passion for working with cross cultural groups that empower individuals to have their voices heard so that they can advocate for themselves and others as well as groups that promote literacy, education and health and wellness.
She is a graduate of Leadership Columbus and The United Way of Central Ohio Project Diversity Leadership programs. She has served on the board of the Kiaca Art Gallery, the Epilepsy Association of Central Ohio, and Friends of the Library, Columbus Metropolitan Library, Gahanna Lincoln High School PTO and IMPACT Community Action Agency and currently serves on the board of Community Research Partners.