PHILADELPHIA. – Mayor Cherelle L. Parker today announced that Aren Platt, Chief Deputy Mayor for Planning and Strategic Initiatives, will be transitioning to a new career opportunity, and that Vanessa Garrett Harley, Esq., an experienced attorney and veteran of two decades in city government, would join the mayor’s senior executive team as the Chief Deputy Mayor for Social Impact and Strategic Initiatives.
“I am accepting the departure of Aren Platt as my Chief Deputy Mayor, and I do so with deep gratitude and understanding,” said Mayor Parker. “Aren Platt has been at my side since my days in Harrisburg as a member of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. He has done so with professionalism, acumen, courtesy, and grace.”
“Aren was a critical part of my campaign since 2020 for Mayor of Philadelphia, and I wouldn’t be here but for his work – as senior campaign adviser and now as one of my two chief deputy mayors in my administration,” the mayor continued. “I’ll be forever grateful to him. But now it is time for Aren to pursue his career opportunities outside city government, and I am fully supportive of this decision. Aren and I are going to continue working together. I’ll be excited to discuss those details in the coming weeks.”
To fill the Chief Deputy Mayor role being vacated by Platt, Mayor Parker is turning to Garrett Harley, Esq., a respected city government professional of 24 years, who most recently has served as Chief Deputy Managing Director in charge of the Office of Children & Families, the Department of Human Services, the Free Library, Parks and Recreation, Early Childhood Education, Out of School Time and Youth Workforce – an extensive portfolio representing over $1 billion in the city budget. Garrett Harley has served in multiple other roles in city government, handling complex issues including Acting Managing Director, Deputy Mayor for the Office of Children and Families, First Deputy Managing Director, Deputy Managing Director of Criminal Justice and Public Safety, Commissioner of the Department of Human Services, Chair of the Social Services Law Group and member of the Executive Committee of the City of Philadelphia Law Department.
“I have known Vanessa Garrett Harley for many, many years, and know her to be a consummate professional in city government, with a deep knowledge and intellect on how city government works,” Mayor Parker said. “She knows how to get things done. Vanessa will lead all our social impact work, along with our many strategic initiatives in the administration. I believe she’ll fit in seamlessly, and I’m delighted she has answered the call to join my executive team.”
The transition from Platt to Garrett Harley will become effective on October 25, 2024.
“I will be leaving a job that I love that may be the best job that I’ve ever had, working for the most visionary and dynamic Mayor of my lifetime,” Aren Platt said. “Mayor Cherelle Parker has shown that the work will guide us and the results will be what transforms the City. And while I will no longer be in City government, I will always be the biggest cheerleader for this Mayor, for the administration, and for the City.”
“I am humbled and honored to have been selected to serve the City of Philadelphia and the Parker administration as Chief Deputy Mayor,” said Vanessa Garrett Harley. “This position is the culmination of my career in public service, and I look forward to supporting the goals of Mayor Parker and her Administration to improve the daily lives of Philadelphians every day.”
