Mayor Jenny Durkan will replace Kathy Nyland as the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods.

Nyland was appointed by former Mayor Ed Murray to her position in 2015. She will be replaced by Andrés Mantilla, who currently serves as Durkan’s Director of External Relations and Outreach.

Following an executive order from Murray, Nyland led an effort to cut ties with 13 neighborhood district councils, volunteer groups that offered recommendations on how the city should spend grant money for neighborhood projects. Finding that the councils were largely composed of wealthy, white homeowners, Nyland sought to foster better connections with underrepresented communities.

The Department of Neighborhoods replaced the councils with an appointed Community Involvement Commission. The decision came under fire by the neighborhood councils and supporters like the Seattle Times editorial board.

Nyland’s last day as Director of the Department of Neighborhoods will be May 16.