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Mikayla Purnell
Staff Assistant at the City of Philadelphia
Mikayla Purnell is currently serving as a Staff Assistant and Special Projects Coordinator at the City of Philadelphia, where she has been in this role since August 2023. In her position, she conducts case management to connect constituents with city services, advocates for them internally, and manages inquiries for meetings and events with the 9th District Councilmember. Purnell also attends committee briefings to summarize key points and has successfully proposed metrics that increased the reach of community initiatives, such as a Thanksgiving Basket Drive.12
She is an alumna of Swarthmore College, where she majored in Black Studies and Economics. During her time at Swarthmore, she was involved in various leadership roles, including curating events for the Black community on campus and managing significant budgets for events like the Trico Black Love gala.13 Additionally, Purnell participated in the Watson Foundation Fellowship, which highlights her commitment to social impact and community engagement.14
Her professional background also includes a fellowship with Management Leadership for Tomorrow, where she developed analytical and communication skills through business case studies and industry conferences.1
