Mayor Ginther Selects Kym Douglas to Lead Department of Neighborhoods

Published on August 13, 2024

Mayor Andrew J. Ginther today announced that Kym Douglas will serve as the next director of the city’s Department of Neighborhoods. In this role, Douglas will promote collaboration and engagement to resolve community concerns, tap into and enhance the potential of every Columbus neighborhood, and empower residents by connecting them with vital information as well as city resources, services and programming.

“Kym is an experienced and proven public servant with an extensive track record of leading teams and driving results at both the state and local levels,” said Mayor Ginther. “She consistently rolls up her sleeves, does the difficult work and facilitates candid conversations to benefit the communities she serves. I look forward to seeing her positive impact throughout the department and across all of our neighborhoods.”

Douglas comes to the City of Columbus from the Maryland Stadium Authority, where she championed workforce development initiatives, formed productive partnerships with state and local governments, led community engagement efforts as part of tri-county redevelopment endeavor, and bolstered internal capacity to perform additional functions.

Before that, she was the deputy chief of staff for the mayor’s office in the City of Baltimore and held numerous positions ranging from special advisor to policy manager and chief of staff in state agencies in Maryland and Ohio. Douglas launched her career in government as a legislative analyst for Columbus City Council.

“I am excited to return to my professional roots and give back to the city that gave me so many meaningful and memorable experiences,” said Douglas. “I’ve learned a lot since then, during my time with the State of Ohio and in Maryland. I am eager to dedicate my skills and knowledge to lifting up neighborhoods all across this great city, and to serve as a bridge between residents and city staff.”

Douglas graduated from Fort Valley State University with a bachelor’s degree in political science before attending the University of Akron, where she earned a Masters of Applied Politics.

Her first day with the city will be in early September.