“I am excited to join Purpose Built Communities and continue the transformational work across the Network, building national partnerships that further racial equity, healthy outcomes, and economic mobility in marginalized communities,” said Houston. “The opportunity to lead and build our national investment strategy of donors to support the collective impact of our 28 Network Partners aligns with my personal passion for leveraging my network as a catalyst for change.”
Houston is a strategic senior executive with more than twenty years of proven experience in successfully driving innovation to build growth and long-term sustainability for diverse national and local organizations.
“We’re proud to have Zenith join us in our mission of improving equity and opportunities in all neighborhoods. Having such an incredible strategist and thought leader guiding our development efforts ensures that we are well-positioned to continue making a difference in the communities we serve across our 28-member network,” said Carol R. Naughton, CEO of Purpose Built Communities.
Houston boasts a deep background in diversity and inclusion program strategy and implementation. She has established a notable track record of success in developing and operationalizing strategies and programs that engage and unite diverse missions and organizations.
Prior to launching her management consulting firm, GaillardHouston, she spent ten years as the Atlanta Director of The Posse Foundation. Passionate about serving her community and giving back, Houston currently serves on the board of AFS-USA, Veritas School of Social Science, Alliance Theatre, and the Marietta-Roswell Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Not only is she incredibly involved in her community, but a variety of organizations have also recognized Houston for her leadership. She has been named an Atlanta Hawks Forever 404 Honoree and Atlanta Business League’s Top 100 Black Women of Influence. Additionally, she has received the 100 Black Men of North Atlanta Image Award, the Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Award, and Kenny Leon’s True Color Theatre Company’s 52 Weeks of Women.
She is an alumna of Leadership Atlanta, the Atlanta Regional Leadership Institute, and REALITY Impact Israel.
A native of Columbia, SC, she holds a bachelor’s in science and a master’s degree from the University of South Carolina in Criminal Justice.
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About Purpose Built Communities:
Purpose Built Communities works with local leaders across the country to achieve greater racial equity, better health outcomes, and economic mobility in neighborhoods, with the goal of breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty. The Purpose Built Communities model of holistic revitalization includes mixed-income housing, a cradle-to-college education pipeline and community wellness programs and facilities in a defined neighborhood, coordinated by a dedicated, nonprofit community quarterback organization. The Purpose Built Communities Network includes 28 members in 15 states. For more information, visit purposebuiltcommunities.org. Connect on social @PurposeBuiltCommunities and @PurposeBuiltCS.
