Port of Oakland Director of Social Responsibility Amy Tharpe will receive the Powerful Women award from the Powerful Women of the Bay Area on March 9. The annual award recognizes the outstanding achievements of Bay Area women whose work helped enrich the lives of others.

“I’m honored and grateful to receive this award by the Powerful Women of the Bay Area,” said Port of Oakland Director of Social Responsibility Amy Tharpe. “I believe that empowerment is the responsibility to help improve the well-being of one’s community.

Ms. Tharpe was appointed Director of the Social Responsibility Division in 2013. She is responsible for partnering with the community and businesses to promote positive social and economic changes. Her team also develops social responsibility strategies that contribute to the local community and throughout the region.

“Amy Tharpe is a powerful woman because she continues to inspire others to bring about positive economic and social well-being to Oakland,” said Powerful Women of the Bay Area President Cathy Adams.

“That’s what empowerment is all about.”

Ms. Tharpe received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Economy from the University of California, Berkeley and her Master of Public Policy degree from Harvard University.