The board of directors of the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation announced their selection of Teronda Ellis to as the organization’s next chief executive officer.
Ellis is a native Bostonian who brings over 20 years of affordable housing, commercial, and community development experience in the private and non-profit sectors. Her commitment to affordable housing began with her work helping to identify and fight housing discrimination against people of color in Boston in the Office of Civil Rights of the Fair Housing Commission during her college years.
She made the transition to real estate as an agent and developer in 2001 after beginning her career as a senior project manager at IBM developing online learning tools. She joined JPNDC’s staff as a real estate project manager in 2007 and in 2018 was promoted to the position of real estate director. Over 11 years Ellis led the development of multiple complex developments that created and preserved more than 300 affordable homes in Jamaica Plain and 200 in Roxbury and Dorchester.
“I’m looking forward to expanding on JPNDC’s work,” Ellis said. “My mother was a carpenter and one of the first women of color to work on the project to create the new Orange Line and the Southwest Corridor Park. I am happy to continue her legacy by building opportunities like those that she made sure opened pathways for me. I’m proud that JPNDC is here to help both long-time residents and immigrants have choices for their families to achieve economic security.”
Ellis will succeed outgoing Executive Director Richard Thal, who has led JPNDC since 1994 and helped transform the organization into one of the largest community development corporations in New England and a citywide force in both affordable housing and economic prosperity services.
“I will always cherish the memories of all the wonderful people in the organization, the community I have gotten to know over the years, and all we have accomplished together,” said Thal. “Having worked with Teronda for almost 14 years, I’m delighted that she will be leading JPNDC into its next phase and confident that our best days lie ahead.”
Ellis will officially begin her new role on October 13.
