A Google Fiber executive, a city of Austin department director, an American Heart Association vice president and Mayor Steve Adler's senior policy adviser are among the finalists for the city of Austin's new chief equity officer position.

Residents can listen to presentations from each of the four candidates today at a town hall meeting from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Road, Austin.

According to a city news release, the chief equity officer will lead the newly created Office of Equity and focus internally on promoting equity within the city of Austin as an organization as well as externally in the Austin community. Among the equity officer's duties will be identifying disparities in services and programs and working with community organizations "to help them navigate the city organization to ensure access to city programs and services."

Eighty-three people applied for the position.

Chief equity officer candidates



  • Parisa Fatehi-Weeks, head of community impact programs and investments, Google Fiber

  • Veronica Briseño Lara, director small minority business resources department, city of Austin

  • Brion Oaks, vice president of health equity, southwest affiliate of American Heart Association

  • Kazique Prince, senior policy adviser and education coordinator, office of Mayor Steve Adler