Prime Highlights:

Sherry-Lea Bloodworth Botop named Chief Resilience and Sustainability Officer of Birmingham, Alabama.

The newly established position is part of the city’s efforts to enhance resilience to crises and sustainability in the community.

Bloodworth Botop brings 15 years of experience in community development and disaster recovery.

Key Background:

The City of Birmingham, Alabama, has appointed Sherry-Lea0 Bloodworth Botop to lead its newly established Office of Resilience and Sustainability. In her role as Chief Resilience and Sustainability Officer, Bloodworth Botop will develop and oversee initiatives to enhance the city’s capacity to withstand and recover from various challenges, including natural disasters, infrastructure breakdowns, and socio-economic inequalities.

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin praised Bloodworth Botop for her extensive experience and commitment to community betterment. “Sherry-Lea is a proven strategist in addressing social, economic, and physical challenges in communities on a local, national, and global level,” Woodfin remarked. He emphasized her 15 years of expertise and deep dedication to improving communities.

Bloodworth Botop joins the city from EBSCO Industries, where she served as Executive Director of its philanthropic efforts. She has a long history of leadership in community and economic development, having previously held roles such as Senior Vice President at Hope Development Corp. and Director of Public and Government Affairs for Baldwin County. Additionally, she has worked on numerous large-scale recovery projects, including affordable housing and critical infrastructure rebuilding, both in the U.S. and internationally. Notably, she testified before the 110th Congress about challenges in federal disaster programs.

In her new role, Bloodworth Botop will focus on creating a comprehensive resilience framework for Birmingham. This framework aims to improve public safety, strengthen emergency response systems, and address issues like systemic inequality, lack of affordable housing, and insufficient public transportation. She will also ensure that the city’s plans are guided by principles of social equity, cultural preservation, and economic empowerment. Her initiatives will prioritize marginalized communities and ensure that all residents benefit from sustainable growth and access to renewable resources. A Harvard National Preparedness Leadership Initiative alumna and former Clinton Global delegate, Bloodworth Botop has earned numerous accolades, including the George H.W. Bush Points of Light award and a committee membership in President Obama’s White House Innovation Initiative.