New OED Division Director brings deep experience in community impact and program strategy
The Seattle Office of Economic Development (OED) welcomes Diem Ly as the new Division Director. Ly comes to OED from Comcast NBCUniversal where she served as the Director of Community Impact and External Affairs for the Pacific Northwest. As the Division Director, Ly will provide strategic direction and development of the department’s programs, including planning, performance management, and accountability for our programs, and lead the Small Business Division and Key Industries and Workforce Development Division
“Diem is going to be a fantastic addition to our team. She brings an inclusive and inquisitive mindset, a deep background in community engagement and program development, as well as great leadership and culture change skills. She will be key to developing our program strategy, performance accountability systems, and organizational development. I’m very excited that Diem is joining our team,” said Markham McIntyre, Director, Seattle Office of Economic Development.
Ly brings 15 years of corporate and community experience in program strategy, development, implementation, and facilitating cross-functional connections with diverse stakeholders. As the Director of Community Impact and External Affairs for the Pacific Northwest at Comcast NBCUniversal, she led and implemented robust programs in social responsibility; diversity, equity, and inclusion; employee engagement; and innovative community initiatives. Prior to her role at Comcast, Ly served as the Executive Director of the International Examiner, a multimedia informational, educational, arts, culture, and heritage organization that is the oldest pan-Asian Pacific American publication in the Northwest.
“I’m thrilled to join OED, especially now given the community-driven Future of Seattle Economy agenda offering a critical framework and “north star” for the OED team to drive economic revitalization so that all community members can participate and benefit from this work. As Division Director, I look forward to driving strategy and am deeply invested in culture building and trust, partnership and talent development and growth,” says Ly.
Ly will oversee strategy for the Small Business Division that focuses on resource navigation, system capacity building, and community wealth creation, and the Key Industries and Workforce Division, that focuses on the development and growth of key industries sectors including maritime, manufacturing, technology, life sciences, health services, construction, as well as the creative economy and green economy, which cut across and include multiple industry sectors..
Ly begins her new role on January 3, 2024.