The City of Chandler has announced the appointment of Vice Mayor Christine Ellis as Vice Chair of the new Community Initiatives Coordinating Committee at the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG). According to a press release issued by the city, Ellis, who has a long track record in social services, will hold her vice chair position through December 31, 2026. As Vice Chair, Ellis is expected to bring her extensive experience to the forefront, having already served the community for over three decades in various capacities.
Ellis, tasked with ushering in the committee's inaugural year, will help spearhead efforts to enhance regional human services planning. The committee, which includes up to 21 members, is dedicated to lifting communities by identifying and implementing effective strategies. "This is an exciting initiative that engages experts in the work of improving people’s lives and strengthening communities throughout the region," Ellis said in the press release, who then seemed to express a keenness to foster collaborations that cultivate innovative solutions. Members of the committee will also select and execute projects through calls for projects and action teams.
With a robust political and social service background, Ellis joined the Chandler City Council in January 2021. Her previous roles include Vice Chair of MAG’s Regional Domestic Violence Council and member of MAG’s Human Services and Community Initiatives Committee, both of which were dissolved to create the committee she now helms. Christine Ellis is also an active participant in several national organizations, broadening her reach and influence in policy-making beyond state lines.
Her affiliations with the National League of Cities take the form of her involvement in the Human Development Committee, National Black Caucus, University Communities Council, and Women in Municipal Government. Additionally, Ellis extends her financial expertise to the National Haitian American Elected Officials Network, where serving as their treasurer through 2026, Ellis will help guide the organization's fiscal responsibilities. Her extensive service in these roles underlines her commitment to community development and human services administration.
