Jacqueline Edwards has joined the city of Phoenix as its new Human Services Department director.

She has spent the last 14 years with Maricopa County, serving in various positions within the Human Services Department, most recently as the director. 

During her tenure with the county, Edwards put in place a department-wide client application and case management system and received national recognition for the department’s “2Gen” work, “which blends a multitude of services and funding streams to meet the comprehensive social service needs of families,” according to a release.

In addition, she was responsible for leading the county’s social service response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the distribution of $200 million in rental assistance and the creation of $130 million in affordable housing strategies, the release stated.

Edwards has an undergraduate degree in political science and history from John Carroll University and a master's degree in public policy and management from Ohio State University.

Interim Human Services Department Director Nichole Ayoola, who was appointed following the retirement of Marchelle Franklin in December 2023, will resume her role as assistant director.