Chandler's Acting City Manager John Pombier has announced the appointment of Riann Balch as permanent neighborhood resources director, bringing more than 25 years of municipal leadership experience to the position.

Balch joined the city staff in 2017 to lead the Neighborhood Resources’ Community Development and Resources Division, according to a news release.

In that role, she oversaw innovative programs to address homelessness and administered funding for affordable housing programs and to nonprofits delivering services to the city's most-vulnerable residents.

Balch has been the interim as neighborhood resources director since Leia Powell was promoted to deputy city manager in August. Her ongoing duties as a department director will include leading policy development, grant administration, regional collaboration and exploring future housing solutions, the release states.

Prior to joining Chandler, Balch was a deputy human services director for the city of Phoenix. Her 15 years with Phoenix were focused on administering federal grant programs for human services, transitional housing and homelessness, the release states.

She also previously served as the executive director of Arizona Coalition to End Homelessness.

Balch obtained a certified public manager credential from Arizona State University in 2012, having earned a master’s degree in social work from ASU in 1999. Her 1995  bachelor's degree from Northern Arizona University is in psychology.

Her current board and committee memberships include treasurer on the board of directors for the Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

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