Director of Transportation Josh Rowan, Director of Human Resources Mary Hao, and Assistant City Administrator Chuck Baker are all departing City Hall, according to Lee's communications director, Sarah Henry. Henry did not explain why the three were dismissed but said the decisions were made by Lake and supported by Lee, who "remains focused on ensuring that City Hall delivers faster, more efficient services for our residents."

Under Oakland's current charter, the city administrator holds the authority to hire and fire department heads, though the administrator typically acts with guidance from the mayor. Voters recently approved Measure EE, a charter reform that will strengthen Lee's power and give her direct control over city department heads.

Baker joined the city in December 2025 from Santa Clara, tasked with overseeing economic and workforce development, business attraction, and information technology and innovation. He was also closely involved in negotiations over the sale of the Oakland Coliseum and Arena, but a person familiar with the matter said he had been sidelined from the deal in recent months. Baker had also been working with street vendors to help them operate legally after the city began cracking down on them.

Anita Miralles, who owns a lumpia pop-up and is part of a group of vendors suing Oakland over harassment, said she was disappointed by Baker's departure. "He really cared about the Black community here," Miralles said. "He really was about making sure the government worked in partnership with the community." Baker did not respond to a request for comment.

Rowan joined the city in April 2024 from Atlanta, where he had also served as transportation director. He was hired by former City Administrator Jestin Johnson, who resigned in May after lewd text messages he exchanged with a male colleague about female subordinates' bodies became public. During several months starting in late 2024, Rowan also served as acting director of Public Works. In that role, he clashed with the City Council when he insisted on awarding a $45 million security contract to Allied Universal, the firm that scored highest in a competitive bidding process, while some council members argued it should go to a different local company. The contract went back out to bid this summer and has not returned to the council.

At the Transportation Department, Rowan oversaw the rollout of automated speed enforcement cameras, Sunday parking meter enforcement, and the construction of multiple downtown bike lanes. He had also clashed with Lake after Lee elevated her from assistant city administrator to replace Johnson. Rowan accused Lake of hostile treatment and of trying to push him out of his job after he filed a whistleblower complaint against her, Oaklandside reported. Rowan did not respond to a request for comment.

Hao had served as human resources director since 2024 and was also appointed by Johnson. She oversaw contract negotiations with labor unions that dragged on for months, leading the city's two main staff unions, SEIU Local 1021 and IFPTE Local 21, to threaten a strike. Last month, the city announced several deals with the unions, including raises of 9% over three years for SEIU and IFPTE, and raises of 16% over five years for firefighters. In August, the city approved a contract with the police officers' union that included raises of 14% over five years. Some union members made clear to Lee that they did not approve of Hao and blamed her for the drawn-out process.

Assistant Transportation Director Megan Wier will take over as acting director of the Transportation Department, and Human Resources Manager Andrea Mariano will serve as acting director of the human resources management department.

The departures come as Lee, a progressive Democrat and former congresswoman, begins her first full term after winning a special election. Her administration has promised to streamline city services and restore public confidence in City Hall. The shakeup also arrives as Oakland prepares for a new era of mayoral authority under Measure EE, which supporters say will make city government more accountable to voters.