Mayor's Staff

Civic Innovation Manager
Laura Ballek-Cole 

Laura Ballek-Cole is the Manager of Civic Innovation for the City of Allentown. She most recently served as a Program Director with the New Urban Mechanics in the Mayor's Office in Boston. Prior to that, she was a social entrepreneur and co-founded a non-profit focused on increasing civic and community engagement. Her career started in Americorps as a tutor and teacher, serving in classrooms in Miami Florida and the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Laura earned a bachelor's degree in Spanish from NYU.

Communications Manager
Genesis Ortega

Genesis Ortega is the Communications Manager for the City of Allentown. She previously served as Regional Affairs and Politics Reporter as well as an on-air TV and radio personality for PBS39 and WLVR News 91.3 FM. In this capacity, she was a host, producer, moderator, and public speaker. Prior to that, she worked for former U.S. Congressman Charlie Dent. Genesis is a graduate of Allentown Central Catholic High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in International Management and French from Moravian College. 

Equity & Inclusion Coordinator
Lucinda Wright

Lucinda Wright is the Equity & Inclusion Coordinator for the City of Allentown. She served as the City’s Special Events Manager for the past four years. Prior to working for the City, Lucinda served as the assistant director at Bright Futures, a local early learning center, for over a decade. Her work focused on inclusive classroom settings and early intervention for children who displayed developmental delays or behavioral concerns. Lucinda attended both Allen and Dieruff High Schools and earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Muhlenberg College Wescoe School of Continuing Education.

Executive Assistant to the Mayor
Michaela Boyer

Michaela Boyer is the Executive Assistant to the Mayor. She's a graduate of Parkland High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Muhlenberg College, where she had the opportunity to study abroad in Cuba and intern for U.S. Congresswoman Susan Wild. 

Graphic Designer
Katherine Mako

Katherine Mako is the Graphic Designer for the City of Allentown. She's also an artist and photographer, and specializes in digital art, branding, and dynamic design. She earned an associate's degree in Communication, Design - Print & Web from Northampton Community College in 2022. 

Marketing & Social Media Manager
Chelsea Koerbler

Chelsea Koerbler is the Marketing and Social Media Manager for the City of Allentown. She previously worked as a reporter and anchor at NBC, CBS and FOX stations in Harrisburg, PA, Evansville, IN, and Lewes, DE. Chelsea earned a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Temple University.

Special Assistant to the Mayor
Jeikenelys Lopez

Jeika Lopez is the Special Assistant to the Mayor. She joined the City of Allentown in 2010 serving in the Health Bureau, prior to her most recent position as Office Manager for the Building Maintenance Bureau in the Public Works Department. She is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from East Stroudsburg University.