MEET MIRA
Since 2018, Mira has served as the City of Orlando's Grants Manager, where she is responsible for coordinating all incoming federal, state and private grants to the city. For her work in increasing grant funding to the city, she was selected among 4,000 staff as a 2021 Employee of the Year.
Prior to working with the City of Orlando, Mira served as an assistant manager with the Orange County Library System, where she developed the Sunshine State Author Series and organized the inaugural African American Read In. Mira also spent more than a decade in civil rights work, including as Fair Lending Manager at Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, where she successfully challenged discriminatory practices and improved housing accessibility. She founded the St. Louis Equal Housing & Community Reinvestment Alliance, which has been responsible for reinvesting over $3B in low-income and minority communities.
Mira is the clerk of Quakers of Orlando, located in the Park Lake / Highland neighborhood. The daughter of immigrants from India and the Netherlands, she grew up in Iowa and graduated from Washington University in St. Louis. Mira lives in Rosemont with her husband, UCF professor and poet Obi Nwakanma, and their two children. In her spare time, Mira likes to play music and travel.
Core Values
Integrity
Mira believes in open, honest government. She’ll work to build public trust through responsiveness, accountability, and active community engagement. Mira lives her values, riding public transit and walking to contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle.
Experience
With 6+ years of leadership experience in city government, Mira understands how city systems work—and where we can make them better.
Inclusion
Everyone should feel seen and heard. Mira will seek input from those most impacted by public policy. Having raised children and cared for an elderly parent while working full-time, Mira understands that not everyone can attend public meetings, and she will create multiple ways to interact with City Hall.
