Associate Director

Georgia Institute of Technology

Dr. Ishita Chordia is the Associate Director of the Center for Urban Research. She is an equity-driven urban researcher and data analyst dedicated to alleviating the systemic conditions that perpetuate poverty. Ishita has collaborated with nonprofits, local governments, academic institutions, and technology companies to address disparities in public safety, health, housing, education, and economic mobility. As Associate Director, she collaborates with the City of Atlanta to measure and evaluate the city's neighborhood revitalization strategy. Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision of the "Beloved Community," her work integrates social justice principles, data-driven policymaking, and community engagement to support neighborhood flourishing. Ishita has a Ph.D. in Information Science from the University of Washington, a Master's in Computer Science from Georgia Institute of Technology, and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Duke University.

CEO

My Block, My Hood, My City

Jahmal Cole is the founder and CEO of My Block My Hood My City and a dedicated advocate for social justice—committed to building a more interconnected Chicago through service and education.

Jahmal has been widely recognized for his leadership and impact. He is a multi-time Chicago Reader Activist of the Year, Chicago Magazine Chicagoan of the Year, Chicago Defender “Men of Excellence” Honoree, and a recipient of the American Red Cross Community Impact Hero Award.

Most recently, in one of his final acts in office, President Joseph R. Biden Jr. awarded Jahmal the President’s Volunteer Service Lifetime Achievement Award—a prestigious honor celebrating his steadfast commitment to empowering young people and strengthening communities across Chicago.

Jahmal is currently undertaking living in all of Chicago's 77 unique neighborhoods, one month at a time.

Founder | Executive Director

My Block, My Hood, My City

Jahmal Cole is the founder and CEO of My Block My Hood My City and a dedicated advocate for social justice—committed to building a more interconnected Chicago through service and education.

Jahmal has been widely recognized for his leadership and impact. He is a multi-time Chicago Reader Activist of the Year, Chicago Magazine Chicagoan of the Year, Chicago Defender “Men of Excellence” Honoree, and a recipient of the American Red Cross Community Impact Hero Award. He is also the subject of the acclaimed feature documentary A Tiny Ripple of Hope.

He holds two honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees: one from Adler University, recognizing his philanthropic achievements, and another from DePaul University, honoring his lifelong dedication to serving Chicago’s youth and communities.

Most recently, in one of his final acts in office, President Joseph R. Biden Jr. awarded Jahmal the President’s Volunteer Service Lifetime Achievement Award—a prestigious honor

Executive Vice President

Catholic Charities U.S.A.

Brian has served as Executive Vice President for Member Services for 13 years, with prior experience of leading the Diocese of Youngstown OH Catholic Charities and Health Care organizations for 27 years.

Discourse Officer

US Bahá'í Office of Public Affairs

Mat is an OPA Discourse Officer who helps advance collective learning on issues of racial justice and racial unity through relationship-building, public engagement, and collaboration with individuals, organizations, and agencies across the United States. Prior to joining the Office of Public Affairs in 2022, he coordinated outreach and educational initiatives in Chicago, supporting the capacity of young people and families to engage in service to their communities. Mat holds a B.A. in International Studies and Global Environmental Sustainability and is deeply committed to community-building and social action in his Chicago neighborhood.

Co-Founder | Neighborhood Connector

neighbor.exchange LLC

Jesse Czech is president of the Westmorland Neighborhood Association in Madison, Wisconsin and co-founder of Neighbor.Exchange. At Westmorland, he leads a volunteer-driven organization with a $100,000 annual operating budget, supporting year-round events, neighborhood improvements and opportunities for residents to connect and contribute. His work emphasizes sustainable community funding through diversified revenue streams, including memberships, business sponsorships, advertising, donations and event proceeds.

Drawing on that experience, Jesse co-founded Neighbor.Exchange to help neighborhoods and other membership communities strengthen relationships, coordinate participation and fund their work. He focuses on making community building financially sustainable and easier to scale while preserving the resident ownership and local relationships that give it meaning.

CEO

The Hope Center KC

Marvin Daniels is the CEO of The Hope Center KC, a faith-based Community and Youth Development organization serving the Eastside of Kansas City for 28 years. Since Marvin's arrival in 2014 The Hope Center established public Charter School; Community Garden; Event Venue; Neighborhood Health Center and currently building 21 Single-Family homes for Homeownership; off-site parking structure; K-12 Afterschool programming; Parent Support Groups; Men Support Groups; Community -wide Events and a future Multiplex that combines Arts, Tech, Business, Recreation and Counseling. Marvin has served in the nonprofit sector for 39 years in various Cities (Chicago, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Branson, Vienna, Austria, Kansas City) in the roles as a Youth Pastor, Adjunct Professor of Youth Ministries; Violence Prevention Coordinator; Mediation Specialist, VP of Leadership Development, MidWest Regional Facilitator; and national Trainer. Marvin is married to Angie Daniels for 36 years and they have five adult children; and their first granddaughter.

Chief Network Officer

Purpose Built Communities

Katie Delp is Chief Network Officer at Purpose Built Communities, where she leads national efforts to support neighborhood transformation organizations across the country. With more than 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience, she oversees executive coaching, organizational capacity building, technical assistance, peer learning, and strategic initiatives that help Network Members advance economic mobility through affordable housing, educational excellence, community wellness, and economic vitality.
Before joining Purpose Built Communities, Katie served as Executive Director of Focused Community Strategies in Atlanta, leading comprehensive neighborhood revitalization efforts that included affordable housing, commercial development, food access, youth programming, and resident leadership. Her experience spanning both local implementation and national strategy provides a unique perspective on scaling community change while staying grounded in resident voice and neighborhood leadership.

Sr. Director, Economic Development

LISC

Fill

Founding Executive Director, CEO

Formerly District Bridges, BD Advisory

Brianne Dornbush is an ecosystem builder, nonprofit executive, speaker, and community economic development strategist with more than a decade of experience bringing people, organizations, and resources together to create lasting impact.

As the founder and former Executive Director of District Bridges, she pioneered an innovative approach to community-based economic development, building partnerships and programs that strengthen local businesses, neighborhoods, and communities across Washington, DC.

Today, Brianne draws on her experience building and leading organizations to advise leaders, nonprofits, and communities on organizational strategy, ecosystem development, and sustainable impact. Her work is grounded in a simple belief: meaningful change happens through relationships, collaboration, and systems designed to help people thrive.

Founder

Congruence Partners

Consultant and researcher focused on place-based social change and community-driven data

Executive Director emeritus

Community Development for All People

Rev. John Edgar is the president of Columbus Housing Enterprise (CHE). The mission of this non-profit formed in 2022 is preserving naturally occurring affordable housing.
Previously Rev. Edgar served as the founding pastor of the United Methodist Church for All People and the executive Director of Community Development for All People (CD4AP) from its inception in 2003 until he retired in June 2022. CD4AP is a faith-based multifaceted community development corporation with the mission of improving the quality of life on the Southside of Columbus, Ohio. The organization has developed $150 million of affordable housing. He is the author of the book A Front Porch for All People which tells the story of his work at Church and Community Development for All People.
Rev. Edgar has a Master of Divinity degree, cum laude from Harvard University and a bachelor’s degree in sociology, magna cum laude from Miami University.

Founding Director

Center for Urban Research

David Edwards is the Senior Policy Advisor for Neighborhoods in the Office of the Mayor in the City of Atlanta. He is also the Founding Director of the Center for Urban Research and a Professor of Practice in the Jimmy and Rosalynn School of Public Policy at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He is the former Chief Executive Officer of Purpose Built Communities, a nonprofit focused on revitalizing distressed urban neighborhoods. Mr. Edwards also served as the Chief Policy Advisor for the City of Atlanta during the two terms of Mayor Shirley Franklin. Prior to joining the Franklin Administration, he spent eight years in management consulting, most recently with the Boston Consulting Group. Mr. Edwards began his career in the Office of Management Budget in the Executive Office of the President in Washington DC and served for three years as the Associate Provost for Academic Affairs at Columbia University.

Founder

Block Party USA

Vanessa Elias is a human connection and mental health activist, certified parent coach and parent support group facilitator for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Her approach combines experience and expertise, transforming families and communities for greater well-being and resilience. Vanessa founded Block Party USA as an actionable cure for loneliness, social isolation, divisiveness, and the youth mental health crisis. Vanessa is a member of The Aspen Institute’s Weave Social Fabric Project Speakers Bureau.

Chief of Staff

City of Atlanta

Courtney English serves as Chief of Staff to Atlanta’s 61st Mayor, Andre Dickens, overseeing the Mayor’s Executive Offices, intergovernmental coordination, and strategic priorities. A lifelong Atlantan, he previously served as Chief Policy Officer and Senior Advisor to the Mayor.

English has helped lead historic investments in housing and neighborhoods, including the Affordable Housing Strike Force, advancing more than 14,000 affordable homes completed, under construction, or funded; the $60 million Homeless Opportunity Bond; and the multibillion-dollar Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative, expanding housing, infrastructure, transit, greenspace, and economic opportunity.

A former educator and Chairman of the Atlanta Board of Education, English also helped launch and continues to lead the administration’s Year of the Youth initiative, reflecting his longstanding commitment to expanding opportunities for young people.

A graduate of Morehouse College and Columbia University, English remains dedicated to building stronger neighborhoods and making Atlanta a city of opportunity for all.