5 in 5: Anjali Chainani, Philadelphia’s Director of Policy

Results for America Fellowship Alumni give five answers in five minutes. This month, we caught up with Anjali Chainani, Director of Policy for the City of Philadelphia, PA.

1. Summarize what you do and how you do it.
   In my role as Director of Policy in the Mayor’s Office, I lead a team that centers the practical use of data and evidence, to identify ways to measure our success within local government, improve program outcomes, test new solutions, and identify what works.
2. Share something exciting that you’re working on.
   Local government, community-based partners, and philanthropy are working together to ensure economic relief reaches workers and families who may be left out of federal COVID-19 relief efforts. This is so exciting! Cash assistance is an important policy lever, and a fundamental building block toward economic mobility and recovery.
3. Tell us one thing you learned from someone else during your RFA Fellowship.
   Philadelphia had a phenomenal peer exchange with King County (WA), and we learned about how they achieved their equity and social justice strategic plan. We wrote about the top six things we learned about and shared with King County, too!
4. If you could wave a magic wand and have any data or evidence, what would it be?
   Broadly, a magical wand would grant me evidence on the future state of racial equity, police reform, and our climate! What I really want is evidence that grants policymakers confidence that the policies we are pursuing today will achieve sustainable economic freedom in the future for the individuals and families in our country.
5. What’s the [pick-your-adjective] job you’ve ever had?
   The job I currently have is the most challenging, and most interesting job I have ever had. Policy analysis and policy advocacy is a constantly evolving landscape, and in order to be informed, you have to take a multi-disciplinary approach to social issues, which are complex by nature. The most inspiring job I have ever had is teaching graduate students of social work.

Extra Question: How is the City of Philadelphia adapting its work in response to COVID-19 and urgent calls for racial equity?
We are prioritizing racial equity through our Mayoral Executive Order 1–20. Our goal is to create a city where race is not a determinant of success, and diversity is elevated as one of Philadelphia’s greatest assets. In response to COVID-19, we are disaggregating important data by race to ensure our efforts are informed using an equity lens. Our Administration is committed to ensuring equity is a part of our process, and visible in our outcomes.

Interested in learning more about Philadelphia, PA’s work? Read the January 5, 2018 case study on Philadelphia’s development of a citywide evaluation model to increase the use and impact of city programs and services.

Anjali Chainani participated in Results for America’s Local Government Fellowship.