Congratulations to Recipients of the 2025 Outstanding City Employee Award and Brian Murphy Award for Leadership in the Workplace and Public Service

On May 16, at a special ceremony in the Sullivan Chamber of Cambridge City Hall, City Manager Yi-An Huang and other City officials honored the recipients of the 2025 Outstanding City Employee Award and the Brian Murphy Award for Leadership in the Workplace and Public Service.

The City Manager’s Outstanding Employee Awards (OEA) program recognizes employees nominated by peers, department leaders, and/or members of the community for superior performance, positive attitude, hard work, and dedication to public service. The Brian Murphy Award for Leadership in the Workplace and Public Service is a distinguished recognition given to leaders who display extraordinary qualities in the workplace and dedication to community service.

Congratulations to the 2025 OEA winners:

• Shamsher Bam, Public Health Nurse, Public Health Department
• Daryl Cabrol, Staff Librarian, Central Square Branch Library
• Dana Clarke, Office Manager, License Commission
• Karen A. Fortoul, Math/Tech Coordinator, ASE Math Teacher, Dept. of Human Service Programs (DHSP)
• Serena Franks, Assistant Director of Operations, Emergency Communications
• Swaathi Joseph, Project Planner, Community Development Department
• John Logiudice, Assistant Project Manager, Capital Building
• Jamie L. Matthews, Director of Labor Relations, Human Resources
• Mark Melo, City Electrician, Department of Public Works
• Liz Mengers Magargee, Manager, Homeless Services Continuum of Care, DHSP
• Sonya Prato Zollo, Human Resources Manager, Department of Transportation
• José Rosales Jr., Motor Equipment Operator Working Supervisor, Dept. of Public Works
• William Simmons, Police Officer, Cambridge Police Dept.
• Collyn Stephens, Audio Visual Technician, Information Technology
• Katie Urquhart-Barry, Senior Account Clerk, DHSP
• Phoebe West, Project Coordinator, Housing Liaison Office
• Cynthia Woodward, Family Service Coordinator, DHSP

• Susanne Rasmussen, Deputy Climate Chief, Office of Sustainability

The Brian Murphy Award for Leadership in the Workplace and Public Service, first given in 2015, exemplifies – much like the late Assistant City Manager for Community Development, Brian Murphy – the essence of selflessness and a steadfast philosophy of paying it forward. The award recognizes how a leader creates a supportive and nurturing learning environment for their colleagues while setting a standard for their peers in providing effective public service. Through their unwavering commitment and mentorship, this award recognizes leaders who prepare the City's workforce for success and generously share their expertise and knowledge. The candidate for this award is deeply committed to continuous professional development, embodying leadership, and service in every aspect of their career.

Picture above: Daryl Cabrol, William Simmons, Jamie L. Mathews, Jose Rosales Jr., Karen A. Fortoul, Sonya Prato Zollo, Phoebe West, John Logiudice, Mark Melo, [in the background: Yi-An Huang, Mayor E. Denise Simmons, Joe Murphy, Kate Champion Murphy (son and wife of Brian Murphy), Susanne Rasmussen, Owen O’Riordan], Dana Clarke, Shamsher Bam, Liz Mengers Margargee, Cynthia Woodward, Collyn Stephens, Serena Franks, and Katie Urquhart-Barry, [not pictured Swaathi Joseph].

View Awards Ceremony