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 40,000 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
Federico Gutierrez
Federico Gutierrez is the Deputy Director of the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) for the City of Alexandria. Federico is responsible for managing the Alexandria Fund for Human Services grant making process, to include program monitoring and compliance, grant recipient consultation and training, and preparation of related reports for City Council review. His work also includes oversight of Communications, Contracts and Grants, and Quality Assurance. Prior to joining the City of Alexandria, Federico has held leadership positions in the area of behavioral health, public health and has worked for both community and national non-profit organizations. Mr. Gutierrez may be reached at 703.746.3604 Email: federico.gutierrez@alexandriava.gov
Noah Abraham
Noah Abraham is the Director of the Center for Operations. Noah oversees the Department’s budget, contracts, human resources, information technology, facilities management, emergency response and administrative support. Prior to joining the City, Noah served as the Deputy Administrator for the Department of Human Services in the District of Columbia. During his 11+ years in DC, he designed and implemented programs, oversaw 24/7 management of more than 10 emergency shelters, and led an integrated system focused on low-income and unhoused residents. He can be reached at noah.abraham@alexandriava.gov or 703.965.4750.
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 oversees 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 703.746.5912. 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 is the Chief Financial Officer and Community Services Board (CSB) Director of Finance. Raphael leads the DCHS Finance Team in managing the City’s largest departmental budget from multiple sources for programs that receive funding from the Federal, State, and City governments and Special revenues. 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
Kimberly Hurley
Kimberly Hurley is Division Chief of the Office of Organizational Development and Equity in the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS). Ms. Hurley joined the City of Alexandria as a youth development professional in 2007 in the Office on Women and eventually merged into DCHS. She spent nearly four years in the City Manager's Office as the first Race and Social Equity Fellow and Manager of Programs and Partnerships supporting the foundation of the Race and Social Equity Office. Ms. Hurley has oversight of organizational development, race and social equity, and training and development. She can be reached at kim.hurley@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3708.