Courtney Knox Busch has served the City of Salem since January 2005 and brings more than three decades of experience in strategic planning, communications, organizational alignment, and community engagement. Since joining the City of Salem, her work has consistently focused on connecting strategy, operations, and community priorities to advance City goals.

Courtney began her career with the City as a Project Manager in the Urban Development Department, where she supported economic development and urban renewal initiatives, including mixed-use redevelopment projects, downtown infrastructure improvements, and strategic planning efforts. This work required close collaboration with City Council, advisory boards, Neighborhood Associations, regional partners, and staff across the organization, resulting in development of Center 50+, the 295 Church property, and early phases of 2nd Street NW Redevelopment.

In 2013, Courtney joined the City Manager’s Office to support Council priorities and special projects. Her role has since expanded to include communications and engagement, legislative policy, strategic planning, and organizational alignment. She currently serves as Assistant City Manager and Director for Strategy and Engagement, supporting the Mayor and City Council and leading the City’s strategic and external-facing functions.

Prior to joining the City of Salem in February 2005, she worked with nonprofits and local and state governments on strategic planning, public engagement, economic development, and fiscal analysis as part of a Seattle-based consulting firm. She also worked with a partnership of City of Seattle, King County, Port of Seattle, private business, and labor groups on employment-related projects and trades industry training programs.

Courtney holds a Master of Public Administration from the Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon.

Strategy and Engagement Services

The Strategy and Engagement Department integrates strategy, engagement, and enterprise thinking by advancing the City's priorities, supporting Mayor and Council decision-making, strengthening trust with the community, and ensuring initiatives such as Safe, Clean, and Healthy Salem and the Levy are thoughtfully designed and effectively implemented.

Assistant City Manager

Courtney Knox Busch (Contact the Assistant City Manager)

The Strategy and Engagement Department is responsible for:

• City strategy, including the City of Salem Strategic Plan
• Communications and Community Engagement, including:
  • Neighborhood Associations
  • Youth Services
• Legislative matters and intergovernmental relations
• Organizational change management
• Mayor and City Council support