Allston Brighton Community Development Corporation

Working together, building community

We are pleased to welcome John Woods as Allston Brighton CDC’s next Executive Director.

John brings more than 30 years of experience in affordable housing and community development, including work in the Allston Brighton community. John served as Allston Brighton CDC’s Director of Housing Development from 2001 to 2007 and later worked as a consultant to community organizations developing affordable housing for people with disabilities and other vulnerable populations across the country.

“I am pleased to have the opportunity to return to Allston Brighton CDC in the capacity of Executive Director. I look forward to working with the Board and the staff to continue to enhance the important work of improving the quality of life in Allston Brighton that the CDC began nearly 40 years ago.”

John managed complex affordable housing redevelopment activities at the Cambridge (MA) and Charlotte (NC) Housing Authorities. Prior to that, he worked in city government in Cambridge, Somerville, Peabody, and Gloucester.

John notes that community development corporations “are important partners in helping residents of the neighborhoods they serve to make positive changes. Building consensus about the nature of those changes is often one of the biggest challenges, but it is also crucial to the success of any effort.”

Over the last few months, Allston Brighton CDC conducted a comprehensive executive search together with Ann L Silverman Consulting. We received applications from many talented people and are pleased to find a candidate who brings a breadth of experience and previous experience in our community in John.

John has begun to get acquainted with the current board and staff and will begin full-time as Allston Brighton CDC’s Executive Director on July 30th. Andrea Shapiro, our Interim Executive Director, will continue to lead Allston Brighton CDC until then. We are grateful to Andrea and Ann for their support with the transition.

Please join us in welcoming John as Allston Brighton CDC’s new leader! We’re excited about all the future has in store for the CDC and our community as we move forward.

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