CHICAGO—Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot today announced the appointment of Tamika B. Puckett as the city’s first Chief Risk Officer for the new Office of Risk Management for the City of Chicago. Ms. Puckett brings nearly two decades of experience in risk management to this vital role, which will oversee the implementation of a comprehensive enterprise risk management strategy to oversee and mitigate the cost of claims, judgments, and liabilities for the City. In addition to working to increase safety and efficiency throughout all city operations, the new risk management function is expected to reduce operational costs to the city.

“It is imperative for the City of Chicago to have a rigorous and robust risk management office to identify and mitigate potential threats to the economic viability of our city,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “Tamika is an accomplished professional who has proven she is ready to lead this charge and create a proactive, multi-layered strategy that will protect the City of Chicago and its residents.”

The new Office of Risk Management will coordinate a citywide risk-reduction strategy, implementing initiatives to counter, lessen or remove risk from city policies, programs and operations. Initial areas of focus will include reducing vehicular accidents, damage to property, workplace accidents and lawsuits concerning police practices which cost the city tens of millions of dollars a year.

The Office of Risk Management will play a key role in freeing up funds that would otherwise be spent on lawsuits, attorneys’ fees, and other payouts from avoidable incidents and injuries. The Office will also work to foster a culture of principled and strategic risk management within the city and among its employees.

Most recently, Ms. Puckett served as the City of Atlanta’s Director of Enterprise Risk Management where she managed the City’s workers’ compensation and property and casualty insurance programs. She also led the risk management program for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, including the administration of the owner-controlled insurance program. She possesses specialized experience in the areas of risk assessments, workers’ compensation, contractual risk transfer, and training programs. Ms. Puckett, a much sought-after subject matter expert, was recognized as a 2018 Insurance Business America Leading Risk Manager.

“Chicago is a leading global city – with a Mayor who is committed to creating a culture that is transparent and equitable, and who understands that risk management is an essential component of government and for our neighborhoods to thrive economically,” said Ms. Puckett. “I am excited to work with Mayor Lightfoot and her entire administration to identify and find solutions for the inevitable risk that all organizations face so that city is stronger financially for all the people of Chicago.”

Ms. Puckett holds a Master of Science in Financial Management from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Georgia State University.

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