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Bay Area Innovation Leader Steps Down

The longtime executive had worked at her city for almost seven years, in a variety of innovation positions.

San Francisco Chief Innovation Officer Krista Canellakis has departed her role after spending nearly seven years with the city.

Canellakis announced her departure Friday on social media, noting that Thursday was her last day “for now.” During her time in San Francisco City Hall, Canellakis held a variety of positions, all of which were in innovation work. She started out as a Mayor’s Innovation Fellow in February 2013, before next rising to innovation officer and then deputy innovation officer.

In February 2018, Canellakis was appointed chief innovation officer after her predecessor, Jay Nath, departed to work full time on the growing Startup in Residence Program, which started in City Hall during both of their tenures and has since become international.

It was not clear Friday afternoon what Canellakis’ next step would be or who would replace her in the lead innovation officer role, with the city’s website still listing Canellakis in the position.

This story first appeared in Government Technology, Techwire’s sister publication.