City of Montgomery, AL

Dr. Kwasi K. Obeng brings more than 20 years of executive leadership spanning municipal government, public administration, organizational transformation, and international affairs. Throughout his career, he has earned a reputation for leading complex organizations through strategic planning, operational excellence, performance improvement, and collaborative leadership while building cultures of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Before joining Montgomery, Dr. Obeng served as Assistant City Manager for the City of Hampton, Virginia, where he provided executive oversight for public safety, emergency management, human services, libraries, youth development, economic empowerment, and community resilience initiatives. He has managed over $60 million in operating and capital budgets while leading cross-functional initiatives focused on economic mobility, generational poverty, organizational performance, and resident-centered government.

Previously, he served as Chief of Staff to the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners in Georgia and the Madison, Wisconsin Common Council, advising elected officials on governance, strategic planning, legislative affairs, budgeting, economic development, organizational effectiveness, and constituent services. Earlier in his career, he served in executive performance audit and policy roles with the Cities of Chicago and Atlanta, helping improve accountability, operational efficiency, infrastructure management, and stewardship of public resources.

Dr. Obeng also brings international public service experience through the United Nations Department of Political Affairs, where he supported interagency coordination on the Horn of Africa, including Somalia, preparing Security Council reporting, coordinating international partners, and supporting regional stabilization efforts. His career has also included leadership in refugee integration, workforce development, and cross-sector partnerships that strengthen economic opportunity and community resilience.

A respected executive and educator, Dr. Obeng has taught political science and international relations at the university level and has mentored emerging leaders through international leadership initiatives. He is recognized for his ability to unite diverse stakeholders around shared goals, build high-performing teams, and transform strategy into measurable results.

Dr. Obeng holds a Ph.D. in Political Science with concentrations in American Government, International Relations, Comparative Politics, and African Politics. His leadership philosophy is grounded in integrity, service, innovation, data-driven decision-making, and a commitment to delivering excellent public service.