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Urban Edge Names Richard E. Ward as Deputy Director
Veteran Community Organization and Philanthropy Leader Brings Experience Building Programs, Partnerships
Boston, Mass. (November 29, 2021) – Urban Edge is announcing today that Richard E. Ward will become the deputy director of the community development corporation based in Roxbury. Ward has significant experience in the philanthropic and non-profit sectors, and in working with community-based and youth-serving organizations, in Boston and across Massachusetts.
“Urban Edge is pleased that Richard Ward is joining us as deputy director,” said Emilio Dorcely, Urban Edge’s Chief Executive Officer. “His knowledge of Boston and its neighborhoods, his understanding of the kind of programs necessary to help strengthen our communities, and his ability to build strategic partnerships will be a tremendous benefit to Urban Edge as we continue to grow and serve the people of Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, and Greater Boston.”
Born and raised in Dorchester, Ward served in multiple leadership positions at the Boston Foundation for a decade, including as director of grantmaking and director of programs. He was the executive director for the Brookline Community Foundation and the New England Center for Arts and Technology. Prior to his most recent role as founder and president of Verge Philanthropy Partners, Ward was the vice president for strategic partnerships at Neighborhood Health Plan, where he built relationships with more than 50 community health centers across the region. He is an alumnus of Boston University.
“It is really exciting and refreshing to become a part of a great organization that is continuing to grow and that has clear direction and ideas on where it wants to go,” said Ward. “I am looking forward to bringing my brand of thoughtful leadership to Urban Edge on the issues that will impact affordable housing, close the racial wealth gap, and help to build vibrant and sustainable communities.”
Ward will begin his position as deputy director in December 2021.
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About Urban Edge
For more than 45 years, Urban Edge has offered a range of innovative programs that help low and moderate income families in and around Boston become economically resilient, establish homeownership, and access needed community resources. Throughout its history, the organization has developed nearly 1,500 units of affordable housing, making it one of Boston’s largest nonprofit developers of affordable housing. Most recently, the agency has been a prime mover in the redevelopment of the Jackson Square neighborhood, creating new affordable housing and commercial space along eight acres of land that border Roxbury and Jamaica Plain. For more information on Urban Edge, visit http://www.urbanedge.org.
