Today we’d like to introduce you to Perry Newman.
Perry, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I began my professional career as a lawyer but made the switch to non-profit leadership and management when I was appointed by then-Governor Angus S. King, Jr. to head up a new public-private partnership in the state of Maine. Our work involved supporting entrepreneurs in their efforts to develop new export markets, which in turn meant not only understanding the businesses of our clients, but also important aspects of international and cross-cultural communication. We were very successful and Maine’s exports grew dramatically, which boosted the economy of the state. The organization flourished, as well, and continues to grow and make an impact to this day.
In part because of my work bridging business cultures and navigating international policies, I had the opportunity to work closely with the Canadian federal and provincial governments, which led to my appointment as Canada’s first Honorary Consul to the state of Maine. I had the opportunity to facilitate dialogue around important issues which, I believe, contributed to a better understanding on both sides of the border. It was a rare honor and privilege to serve as Canada’s representative in the state of Maine.
Following my stint in state government, I formed a consulting firm that provided market research and access to for clients in the United States, Canada, France, and Israel. I worked with many government agencies and non-profit organizations with international business or policy mandates. The diplomatic skills I gained and honed while representing Canada were very useful to me in this work, and my growing familiarity with Israeli business culture, gained in the course of my consulting, positioned me well to manage a high-profile program at Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP) here in Boston.
After two years at CJP, I had the opportunity to become the new CEO of Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation. We’re affordable housing and commercial real estate developers, we’re small business lenders, we’re youth leadership trainers, and so much more. We serve the residents of our properties and our community through social and civic engagement. We assist returning citizens reentering the community from detention in their efforts to find meaningful and stable work. The bottom line is we are working to make a difference in our community, one person at a time.
The work is extremely rewarding. I have outstanding colleagues who care deeply for the community as well as our organization. I’m proud and privileged to have the opportunity to contribute my organizational leadership and management experience, and my diplomatic skills, to this important work.
Has it been a smooth road?
On a personal level, I’ve been very fortunate to have worked with dedicated individuals in both the public and private sectors. Public service at every level is undervalued, in my opinion. It’s fashionable in some circles to denigrate the work of government or the effectiveness of government programs. While nothing and no one is perfect, so much good is done by so many people in the public sector. I’ve learned a great deal from some of the public officials with whom I’ve worked and who’ve shown me a lot about integrity and patience.
In fact, my impatience and desire to move quickly, perhaps to improvise when I should have planned, caused me to stumble on a few occasions. Years ago, I recall failing to consider sufficiently the impact of my wish that we could move ahead with a particular initiative. I spoke openly about the initiative, said, in effect, that we should stop wringing our hands about things and just do it.
I learned – via a frank and helpful conversation with my boss – that things weren’t as simple as I thought they were, and that speaking without having considered all of the facts wasn’t a helpful strategy!
These days, I try to consider all of the angles, all of the factors and impacts, in the major decisions I make, both internally and externally. I still want to make things happen, and to make them happen fast. But I have also learned, as the carpenters say, that it’s better to measure twice and cut once than it is to take action too hastily!
Balance, patience and total integrity are critical ingredients in leadership and management.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
We’re a community development corporation in a low-income area of Boston. Our community is comprised of many ethnicities and nationalities, as is our organization. We work to provide stable housing, economic opportunity and social and civic engagement opportunities for our residents.
Here’s a video that describes our work rather well, I think:
While there are a number of CDCs doing similar important work, we are one of the very few to offer a small business loan program that provides capital to startup entrepreneurs who are unable to obtain financing from traditional sources like banks. We’ve had a hand in launching a number of areas businesses and thus helping to create wealth and employment opportunities.
We also built a highly successful food industry incubator and entrepreneurial center that is a launch pad for emerging caterers, bakers, restaurateurs and food truck operators. This is an example of our innovative approach to economic development.
I’m proud not only of the work we do but the efforts we are making to build a highly inclusive, equitable workplace. A year ago, we took the entire staff offsite for two days of facilitated discussions around issues of privilege, race, intention, and equity. This effort spawned our internal “IDEA” committee (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Advocacy), whose recommendations regarding our hiring processes, professional development opportunities, policies, and practices are being adopted and “baked into” our work.
It is our goal not only to fight for equity in the community but to see that we are as equitable an organization as we can be, as well.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
In as much as we are a non-profit working to ameliorate challenging conditions in our community, and because those challenges are daunting and unlikely ever to recede fully, ours is a good place for a business like ours that focuses on these social and economic challenges.
The City of Boston is making great strides to maximize affordable housing opportunities and to create economic opportunity. I encourage the city to continue these important efforts, and we look forward to partnering with them as we go forward.
Contact Info:
- Address: 594 Columbia Road, #302, Dorchester, MA 02125
- Website: www.dbedc.org
- Phone: 617-825-4200
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dorchesterbayedc/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/dbedc
Image Credit:
Staff Photo: David Carmack Photography, DBEDC staff
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