Fast Five with Rebecca Hefner
Published on April 25, 2024
“I love being a part of something meaningful and impactful, working together for a common goal and having fun while we’re at it.”
Rebecca Hefner serves as the director of Housing & Neighborhood Services. One thing to know is that she loves data. By the numbers, she’s been with the city for 11 years, has worked in four departments and held six different positions. She brings her experience from each area to a department that has a variety of programs and services to support residents and neighborhoods. Learn more about Hefner in this month’s Fast Five.
Which part of the organization do you lead?
I’ve been a part of Community Engagement, Strategy & Budget, the City Manager’s Office, Innovation & Technology and I now serve as the director of Housing & Neighborhood Services. This department is a fantastic mix of programs, services and partnerships that work together to support residents and create thriving neighborhoods. I’ve got a great team working every day to provide affordable housing, CharMeck 311 services, code enforcement, neighborhood engagement, grants and training, community outreach, youth programs, and all the business, administration and financial services required to make it all happen. It’s a lot…and a lot of fun!
Why did you decide to work for the City of Charlotte?
I’ve had a winding career path. I moved to Charlotte after graduating from art school (yes, really!) and my first job here was an internship in the Planning Department with the Historic Districts Commission. After that, I worked for a while in commercial construction, then for a couple nonprofits and a research and policy center. I worked at several places that shut down while I worked there. Was it me or them? To find out for certain, I came to work for the city (so far, so good).
What is the biggest organizational priority you’re working on right now?
The thing I’m most excited about isn’t one single priority, but asking the question – how does it all fit together? Every program, service, activity and function of a city – every staff member with all their skills and ideas – every type of person with all their unique stories and perspectives – it all comes together (and sometimes collides!) in our neighborhoods. So how do we work better together to make our city work better for everyone? I wake up every day excited about that.
What is your favorite part about working for the City of Charlotte?
I grew up playing team sports and I still have that team mentality. I love being a part of something meaningful and impactful, working together for a common goal and having fun while we’re at it. Being humans in this world can be a glorious mess sometimes. Working for the city, we have the opportunity, responsibility and the joy to make that mess a little easier for people – A little easier to navigate, a little easier to endure, a little easier to enjoy.
What is your favorite restaurant in Charlotte?
I like to cook so I eat a lot of meals in the Hefner kitchen. And I’m learning how to sew my own clothes, which is an obsessive, all-consuming hobby, so sometimes I just forget to eat entirely. I do venture out when I crave something specific – I’m on a real falafel kick right now, so if you have any restaurant suggestions, send them my way!