Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey appoints manager for new financial empowerment office

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey said Monday he is appointing Sharon Watkins as the city’s financial empowerment manager.

The new office, funded through a grant from The Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund, was announced in July.

Watkins, of the city’s East Allegheny neighborhood, will work with city leaders and Cities for Financial Empowerment staff to expand access to affordable banking and credit options, one-on-one financial coaching services and community wealth-building strategies while identifying barriers to residents’ financial stability.

Watkins previously served as community engagement and diversity manager for Partner4Work, were she led efforts to link job seekers with training and employment opportunities. A Pittsburgh native, she holds a master’s degree in nonprofit management from Robert Morris University.

“The covid-19 pandemic has only underscored the critical role that local government can and must play in building residents’ financial stability,” said Jonathan Mintz, president and CEO of the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund.

Watkins began working in the role on Sept. 26. Her starting salary is $76,420 a year.