Mayor Kirk Caldwell appointed Rebecca Soon as deputy director of the Honolulu Department of Community Services. Soon began her duties on Friday.

Soon comes to the city with a breadth of experience throughout the non-profit community and the private and public sectors, Caldwell’s office said. She is a small business owner who has worked with social service providers that have been a partner to the DCS. Her professional career has largely centered around community-building and economic development throughout the state with a strong focus within the Native Hawaiian community.

“Becky brings talent, focus and energy that will prove invaluable to the Department of Community Services,” said Caldwell in a news release. “She is enthusiastic about helping Oahu’s most vulnerable populations, and knows how to bring difficult projects to successful completion. Our entire administration is excited to welcome Becky onboard and looks forward to working hard with her to address some of our island’s most challenging issues.”

Soon is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools, Babson College and the William S. Richardson School of Law.