
Leadership Team, Department of Community and Human Services

Kate Garvey

Kate Garvey is the Director of the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) for the City of Alexandria. DCHS is a unified department that is focused on the safety, well-being, and economic security of residents. The department provides economic supports, behavioral health, workforce, developmental disability, early childhood, housing, domestic violence, child welfare and aging services to more than 23,000 residents each year. Ms. Garvey joined the city in 2014. Prior to her work in Alexandria, Ms. Garvey served as the Chief of Children, Youth and Family Services of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services for more than 10 years. There she focused on services and integrated approaches to support children and families and advancing opportunities and economic security for youth and adults. Prior to Montgomery County, she worked in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where she was served as the Executive Deputy Director for the Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS). Her responsibilities included service integration approaches and organizational development initiatives. Ms. Garvey may be reached at 703.746.3400. Email: kate.garvey@alexandriava.gov
Sharon Vaughan-Roach

Sharon Vaughan-Roach is the Director of the Center for Operations. Ms. Vaughan-Roach has oversight of contracts and grants, facilities, finance, human resources, program evaluation, the Customer Call Center and Tech Services. She may be reached at 703.746.3521. Email: sharon.vaughan-roach@alexandriava.gov.
Phil Caldwell

Phil Caldwell is the Center for Adult Services Director and CSB Executive Director. Phil oversees behavioral health, developmental disability and substance abuse programs, and oversee service delivery in the divisions of Aging and Adult Services, Clinical and Emergency Services, and Community and Residential Support Services in the Department of Community and Human Services. Phil can be reached at 703.746.3380. Email: phillip.caldwell@alexandriava.gov.
Lesa Gilbert

Lesa Gilbert is the Executive Director of the Social Services Advisory Board and the Director of the Center for Economic Support in the Department of Community and Human Services. In this capacity, Ms. Gilbert has oversight of social service programs and coordinates public benefits, community services and employment services. She may be reached at 703.746.5940. Email: lesa.gilbert@alexandriava.gov
Barbara Paulson

Barbara Paulson is the Director of the Center for Children and Families in the Department of Community and Human Services. She has oversight of service delivery in the divisions of Early Childhood, Child Behavioral Health, Youth Development, Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Child Welfare, and the Children's Services Act. Barbara can be reached at barbara.paulson@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3352.
Raphael Obenwa

Raphael Obenwa, Chief Fiscal Officer, leads the DCHS Finance Team. He joined the City of Alexandria in 2015 from Freddie Mac where he spent almost a decade in senior financial management. He can be reached at 703.746.3677. Email: raphael.obenwa@alexandriava.gov
Jeff Bollen, SPHR, SHRM-SCP

Jeff Bollen is the Human Resources Manager. He joined DCHS in 2013. Mr. Bollen supports the Department’s managers in ensuring that employee matters are addressed appropriately. He coordinates the efforts of the HR team in recruitment, employee relations, timekeeping and other employee-driven needs. He may be reached at 703.746.5665. Email: jeff.bollen@alexandriava.gov
Vacant
The Division Chief of the Office of Organizational Development and Equity in the Department of Community and Human Services has oversight of organizational development, race and social equity, and training and development.
Vacant
Director of Technology Services in the Department of Community and Human Services.