Emily Haber. Photo courtesy of MACDC
The trade group representing the state’s nonprofit community developers has picked a new chief executive to replace Joe Kriesberg, who left earlier this year to helm the MassINC think-tank.
The Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations said Emily Haber now leads the organization as CEO and president.
“We are thrilled that Emily Haber will serve as our next CEO & President and lead MACDC into the next chapter,” MACDC board chair Angie Liou said. “Her longstanding leadership at the Massachusetts Service Alliance and previous track record in community and economic development greatly impressed the Search Committee and the Board.”
Haber was most recently CEO at the Massachusetts Service Alliance, the private nonprofit that oversees local Americorps work, provides grants and training to nonprofits and functions as the state’s commission on service and volunteerism. In her 15-year stint there, MACDC said, she grew the staff and budget over her 15-year tenure.
“I am delighted to take the helm of such a well-respected organization and to bring my academic and career background in urban planning and community development and my organizational and leadership skills, honed as CEO of the Massachusetts Service Alliance, to the CEO & President role at MACDC,” Haber said in a statement. “I am excited to support the robust network of CDCs across the Commonwealth as they tackle the pressing issues of affordable housing, economic development, and community health. I look forward to our work building a more just and equitable Massachusetts and providing residents and businesses in all of our communities opportunities to thrive.”
Prior to leading MSA, Haber worked as program director of Boston Main Streets, a nonprofit that provides technical assistance to local small businesses and helps create plans to activate and revitalize the city’s neighborhood commercial districts.
“We look forward to working with Emily to carry forward policy advocacy, member services, technical assistance, and all the work that MACDC has done to strengthen the community development field,” said Liou, who is also the executive director of Asian Community Development Corp., based in Boston’s Chinatown.
