The City of Phoenix has officially announced the selection of Carla De La Chapa for the key position of Chief Sustainability Officer, a role crucial for steering the city toward a greener future amid environmental challenges. Her position comes into effect on April 28th, a recent statement revealed. De La Chapa's extensive experience in sustainability initiatives will be pivotal for Phoenix as the city continues to navigate the complexities of urban sustainability in an arid landscape.
Bringing over 19 years of expertise, De La Chapa transitioned from CPS Energy in San Antonio, Texas, where she championed climate and sustainability projects. Her tenure at CPS Energy, a major municipally-owned utility, bolstered her credentials, equipping her with the knowledge and leadership skills essential for Phoenix's ambitious environmental goals. "I'm thrilled to join the City of Phoenix. Phoenix is an incredible city, already a leader in sustainability, and I'm excited to help us become the most sustainable desert city in the world," De La Chapa said, in a statement obtained by the City of Phoenix's news release. Her plan to synergize community voices, local businesses, and city apartments aims to craft practical solutions enhancing the city's resilience and vibrancy while safeguarding economic vitality and quality of life.
The city's Office of Sustainability (OOS) has been actively pursuing advancements to fortify sustainability and resilience, not only community-wide but within municipal operations as well. De La Chapa's background as an Environmental Coordinator and her educational credentials – a Master of Science in Environmental Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology – will guide the OOS's mission. City Manager Jeff Barton endorsed her appointment, stating, "Carla’s experience identifying and implementing carbon reduction strategies, driving metric-based sustainability objectives and building strong partnerships will help advance Phoenix toward our vision of being the most sustainable desert city on the planet."
