LISC Names Top NYC Nonprofit Executive to Lead Community Development Programs Nationwide

NEW YORK, Nov. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Denise Scott, a driving force behind community revitalization in New York, has been named to lead national neighborhood investment efforts for the country's largest community development nonprofit.

The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) has tapped Scott as its new executive vice president of programs to oversee its 30 urban sites, 12 national programs and rural development work in 39 states.

LISC president and CEO Michael Rubinger said her "expertise, experience and intellect" will be instrumental in steering LISC's $1 billion in annual community investments, which run the gamut from affordable housing and small businesses to charter schools, health centers and jobs programs. "She is going to raise our national effort to a new level of effectiveness and impact, just as she has in New York."

Scott, 57, is currently managing director of LISC's flagship program in New York City and has been centrally involved in the city's recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, helping to direct $45 million in public, private and nonprofit funds into the hardest hit neighborhoods.  She steps into her new role as executive vice president on January 1, replacing Tina Brooks, who is leaving LISC to relocate to Atlanta.

"Denise brings the kind of resolve to our work that can only be earned on the ground, every day, helping low-income residents build economic opportunity in places that have long been without it," said LISC chairman Robert Rubin, a former U.S. Treasury Secretary. "Her tenacity and skill have helped change the face of some of New York's most troubled neighborhoods and, in the process, informed LISC's national approach to community development."

Scott has led LISC NYC since 2001. During her tenure, she has supported the rehabilitation and construction of 32,000 affordable housing units across the city, created programs to help revive commercial corridors in struggling areas, led new forays into healthy food and stronger schools, and supported neighborhood-based jobs programs for under skilled workers.

"This is a critical time for many low-income communities, as their needs grow and resources shrink," said Scott. "LISC aims to support those who struggle every day and give them a chance to reach the next rung of the economic ladder. I'm excited to take on this new role and help our staff all over the country expand that important effort."

Prior to joining LISC, Scott led a range of housing and community development efforts, including programs with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation, the New York City Urban Coalition, the New York City Mayor's Office of Housing Coordination and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development. She has taught at Columbia University's Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation and has held various board leadership positions.

Colvin W. Grannum, president and CEO of Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration and a member of LISC's national board, has observed Scott for years and noted that her greatest strength involves building and maintaining key relationships to get work done. "Denise knows what it takes to help rebuild neighborhoods, block by block," said Grannum. "It takes an innovative eye and deep technical expertise to do this work well. And you need a clear commitment to helping low-income people build a more secure future. Denise brings that, and much more, to the table."

LISC NYC will name new leadership in early 2014.  A search is now underway.

About LISC
LISC combines corporate, government and philanthropic resources to help nonprofit community development corporations revitalize distressed neighborhoods. Since 1980, LISC has invested $12.9 billion to build or rehab 298,300 affordable homes and apartments and develop 49 million square feet of retail, community and educational space. 

For more information:
Colleen Mulcahy, 312-342-8244 or [email protected] 
Nick Charles, 212-455-9307 or [email protected]

SOURCE LISC