Dr. Jones
Nichols will oversee LISC's 37 metro-area program offices,
Rural LISC + 12 national programs
NEW
YORK, July 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Local
Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) has named Ruth Jones Nichols, Ph.D., a senior housing
official in the Biden-Harris Administration with decades of
community leadership experience, as executive vice president of
programs. She will oversee LISC's 37 metro-area program offices,
the national Rural LISC investment program and a dozen
sector-specific LISC programs designed to fuel economic opportunity
across the country.
LISC is one of the nation's largest community development
organizations, investing more than $2
billion annually to fuel affordable housing, small
businesses, health, safety, education and jobs.
Jones Nichols most recently
served as Senior Advisor to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development, having previously served as Deputy
Assistant Secretary for public engagement at HUD. In these roles,
she worked as a strategist helping design and implement housing
policies, while also collaborating with public, private and
nonprofit stakeholders on programs that fuel healthy communities
and expand quality housing across the country.
In addition to her federal leadership, Jones Nichols spent decades working at the local
level on critical issues related to housing, jobs, racial and
gender equity, education and food access. Her leadership positions
span such high-impact organizations as Feeding America; Foodbank of
Southeastern Virginia and the
Eastern Shore; YWCA South Hampton Roads; District of Columbia Public Schools;
Communities In Schools; as well as a range of neighborhood-based
groups focused on youth and underserved populations.
She also served as an international management consultant for 17
years supporting the efforts of nongovernmental organizations
(NGOs) working in Ghana and
Haiti.
"Ruth's remarkable range of experience, not to mention her deep
personal commitment to equity and opportunity, will enrich LISC's
program work and help energize the communities that we serve," said
Michael T. Pugh, LISC president and
CEO.
"She understands how to manage significant national strategies,
as well as targeted local efforts," he continued. "Whether leading
critical federal housing strategies, raising $150 million for D.C. public schools or helping
at-risk people access emergency housing, food, childcare and
counseling, she has been at the forefront of comprehensive
community development for decades. We are thrilled to have her
directing our program work," he said.
In addition to her significant professional accomplishments,
Jones Nichols has volunteered her
time on a number of boards, including the African American Cultural
Center of Virginia, Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, Hampton
Roads Workforce Council and YMCA of South Hampton Roads.
She has also been honored with numerous awards, like the Inside
Business Top 40 Under 40 and Women in Business Achievement Awards;
Humanitarian of the Year Award from the Virginia Center for
Inclusive Communities; and the Golden
Hanger Award from Dress for Success Hampton Roads.
Jones Nichols earned her Ph.D. in
social work from Catholic University of
America as well as a master's degree in social work from the
University of Pennsylvania. She also
has a bachelor's degree in sociology from the College of William and Mary.
She can be reached at rjonesnichols@lisc.org.
About LISC
LISC is one of the country's largest
community development organizations, helping forge vibrant,
resilient communities across America. LISC works with residents and
partners to close systemic gaps in health, wealth, and opportunity
and advance racial equity so that people and places can thrive.
Since its founding in 1979, LISC has invested $32 billion to create more than 506,000
affordable homes and apartments, develop 82.5 million square feet
of retail, community, and educational space, and help tens of
thousands of people find employment and improve their finances. For
more, visit www.lisc.org.
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SOURCE Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)