On January 2, Cherelle Parker G’16 LPS’16 was sworn in as the 100th mayor of Philadelphia—the first woman to hold the position. The 51-year-old former member of the Philadelphia City Council, who holds a master’s degree in public administration from Penn’s Fels Institute of Government, won a crowded Democratic primary last May and defeated Republican David Oh in November. She’s stressed that her administration will focus on public safety and providing economic opportunities for all residents. Among the Penn alums serving in Parker’s administration is Tiffany Thurman G’16 LPS’19, her chief of staff.
