Susan Evans to serve as chair, Safiyah Jackson to represent District 2
The Wake County Board of Commissioners tonight elected a new chair and voted in a new a commissioner. Both will fill vacancies left when former chair, Matt Calabria, resigned from his District 2 seat to take a new position in Gov. Josh Stein’s office.
Evans Leads Board
During its regular board meeting, the commission elected Susan Evans as its new leader. Chair Evans has served on the board since 2018. She was re-elected to her role in 2020 and 2024.
“As a lifelong public servant, it is my honor to lead this dedicated group of elected officials, and together, we will continue to move Wake County forward,” said Chair Evans. “Through collaboration and strategic planning, we will make advancements in areas such as affordable housing, transit, public safety and access to behavioral healthcare to support our growing population.”
She currently represents the county commission on the Wake County Smart Start board where she has worked to expand preschool classes to income-eligible three-year-olds. Chair Evans is also a liaison to the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization and a member of the GoTriangle Board of Trustees, focusing on increasing transit options throughout the region.
Prior to joining the Wake County Board of Commissioners, Chair Evans served on the Wake County Public School System Board of Education from 2011 to 2016.
Her term as chair will conclude in December 2025.
Jackson Joins Board
Prior to electing the new chair, the board voted for Safiyah (pronounced sah-FEE-yah) Jackson to fill the District 2 seat. She was sworn in shortly after the board unanimously confirmed her as the Wake County Democratic Party’s nominee for the role.
“I am excited to join this dedicated group of leaders who are committed to building a high quality of life for all residents of Wake County,” said Commissioner Jackson. “I believe my passion for helping others and my experience in the public sector supporting early childhood experiences have prepared me well to serve our community.”
Commissioner Jackson is currently the chief strategy officer for the North Carolina Partnership for Children where she works with a statewide network of 75 county-based early childhood organizations.
Prior to joining the organization, she has worked in leadership roles for the McCormick Foundation, National Louis University, McCormick Center for Early Childhood Education, Shedd Aquarium, Chicago Community Trust and Ford Motor Company in Chicago, Illinois.
Commissioner Jackson has an extensive educational background. She has completed all but her dissertation to receive her doctoral degree in educational psychology from National Louis University. She holds Master of Education degrees in school psychology and early childhood administration from National Louis University, as well as a master’s degree in business administration and a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Fla.
Her term as commissioner runs through December 2026.
