ICMA has selected 16 program sites to support through the Economic Mobility and Opportunity Special Assistants Program. These ICMA member-led communities have committed to advancing economic mobility and opportunity through the hiring of full-time, senior-level leaders coordinating EMO efforts for 2+ years. At each site, the Special Assistant is working across departments and external partners to identify strategic priorities and develop a tailored implementation plan informed by a community-engaged co-design process. 

 EMO Special Assistant Profiles

Click the jurisdiction names below to learn about each of the EMO Special Assistants. 

Beaumont, Texas

Miles Haynes is the Interim Economic Development Manager for the City of Beaumont, working in the City Manager’s Office, where he leads initiatives focused on economic mobility by connecting residents to workforce opportunities, expanding access to resources, and strengthening community infrastructure. He holds a Master of Public Administration from Lamar University and is a Certified Public Manager through the University of Houston. A community connector and avid runner, Miles brings a systems-level approach to building more inclusive and opportunity-driven local economies.

Charlottesville, Virginia

Abigail Matthew Wade is the Economic Mobility Officer for the City of Charlottesville, VA. Prior to joining the City of Charlottesville, she worked for the University of Virginia Karsh Institute of Democracy, and gained government and policy experience at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, where she worked as an Economist and Economic Mobility Fellow focused on economic mobility, inter- and intra- agency coordination, and integrating lived experience into human services policy and service provision. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics from Williams College and University of Virginia, respectively.

Clarkston, Georgia

McKinley Jeter serves as the City of Clarkston's Economic Mobility Manager, working collaboratively with Clarkston’s residents to help cultivate a robust and skilled workforce, reduce barriers to affordable and equitable housing options, and to increase fresh food access. He brings over a decade of experience in affordable housing, workforce development, and supportive service delivery. His work focuses on turning policy into practice through transparent systems, cross-sector collaboration, and strengthening trust between institutions and the communities they serve.

Dubuque, Iowa

 

Fayetteville, North Carolina

 

Gainesville, Florida

 

Greenfield, California

 

Kalamazoo County, Michigan

 

Morgan Hill, California

Mary Magana-Ayala serves as the Economic Opportunity Program Officer for the City of Morgan Hill, where she leads efforts to expand workforce pathways, improve housing access, and foster a stronger sense of belonging, with a particular focus on Spanish-speaking residents. Her work is grounded in advancing economic mobility through community-centered, data-informed strategies that address structural barriers to opportunity. Prior to joining the City, Mary worked in the nonprofit sector coordinating and managing programs focused on intergenerational wealth building, including the creation of automatic college savings accounts for newborns tied to early health and educational milestones. She also holds experience developing and incubating worker-owned cooperatives, helping expand asset ownership and long-term economic security.  Across her work, Mary is committed to building local systems that elevate community voice and create durable pathways to shared prosperity. 

Newport, Oregon

Allyson West is the Economic Mobility Program Manager for the City of Newport, where she leads cross-sector efforts to expand workforce pathways, strengthen local partnerships, and increase access to economic opportunity for residents. She has led complex, community-driven initiatives in disaster recovery, nonprofit management, and resilience planning. Her work aligns public, nonprofit, and private partners to advance upward mobility in rural communities. 

Rochester, Minnesota

 

San Juan County, Utah

 

Staunton, Virginia

Anna Leavitt serves as the City of Staunton’s Economic Mobility and Opportunity Special Assistant, working across departments and with community partners to reduce barriers to housing stability, workforce access, and long-term economic security. She brings more than a decade of experience in regional community development and a deep commitment to practical, people-centered solutions rooted in local collaboration.

Taos County, New Mexico

 

Thomasville, North Carolina

Atalia I. Cardenas serves as the Economic Mobility Program Manager for the City of Thomasville, leading strategic initiatives that promote equitable economic opportunity through cross-sector collaboration, data-informed planning, and community engagement. With more than 20 years of experience in compliance, data analytics, and organizational leadership, she brings a strong commitment to accountability, innovation, and public service to advance measurable outcomes for residents and the community.

Vermont EMO Coalition

Cymone Bedford serves as the Vermont EMO Coalition’s Economic Mobility Manager for the cities of Essex Junction, Shelburne, South Burlington, and Winooski. Her primary work is identifying systemic barriers, coordinating cross-sector partnerships, and supporting the design and implementation of attainable housing, civic participation, and financial opportunity strategies informed by community engagement. She brings 7+ years of experience in planning and development and a deep commitment to shared outcomes and advancement.

 

For the latest news and information about EMO: Connect with us on LinkedIn: Economic Mobility & Opportunity at ICMA

If you have questions, please contact us at emo@icma.org 

More on EMO from ICMA and our Partners

• National Economic Mobility and Opportunity Conference: A new national convening of local changemakers
• Local Government Leadership for Economic Mobility and Opportunity: Special supplement to PM Magazine featuring data, examples, and inspiration for taking action
• Economic Mobility Catalog (Results for America): Case studies and implementation guidance on evidence-based strategies
• Upward Mobility Framework (Urban Institute): Including a data dashboard and other resources to help inform local action
• Opportunity Atlas (Opportunity Insights): Research and data to identify and dismantle barriers to economic opportunity