News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 2013

Henry A. J. Ramos, Non-Profit Management Consultant and former Foundation executive appointed President of the Insight Center for Community Economic Development

New Leader Brings strong background in Social Investment and Policy Advocacy to prominent national Community Economic Development organization

Oakland, California (June 26, 2013) Henry A. J. Ramos, a consultant to foundations and a non-profit sector leader, has been appointed President of the Insight Center for Community Economic Development. The announcement of Ramos’ appointment was made today at Insight’s Oakland headquarters.

Since 1969, the Insight Center (formerly the National Economic Development and Law Center), has fueled the creation of over 500 community based development corporations and allied nonprofits across the nation through specialized legal support, policy research and advocacy, and partnerships with private philanthropies. A leader in the community economic development movement, the Insight Center has pioneered new approaches in workforce development, becoming the first proponent of sector-based strategies; in early care and education, becoming the first organization to demonstrate the economic importance of childcare; and more recently, in asset building, leading a national effort to close the racial wealth gap for the next generation.

“After a national search, we are pleased to appoint Henry Ramos, who has a distinguished record of 30 years of experience in both philanthropy and community change,” said Bea Stotzer, chairman of the Board of the Insight Center, and Chief Executive Officer of NEWCapital, LLCs. “He brings to the Insight Center a heartfelt passion for building stronger communities and strong relationships with the Foundation community. Henry has the proven leadership skills to guide the Insight Center to a superior standard of excellence in its program delivery and national impact.”

Ramos, who currently serves as founder and principal of Mauer Kunst Consulting, an independent advisor to non-profits, foundations, corporations and trade associations, is excited to join the Insight Center: “For more than 40 years the Insight Center has demonstrated great leadership and an abundance of intellectual capital in producing innovative methods to help communities achieve economic security. I am thrilled to lead this distinguished organization in the next stage of its important work.”

Said Ramos: “I intend to work closely with the Insight Center’s partners in the Foundation and corporate community, as well as with the staff and the Board, to increase our impact during a time when its mission to build economic security for all Americans is more relevant than ever.”

Prior to his appointment at the Insight Center, Ramos served on the program staffs of the Ford Foundation, the James Irvine Foundation and the Levi Strauss Foundation. From 2007-2010, he served as director and lead consultant of the Diversity in Philanthropy Project, an initiative of leading U.S. private foundations to increase philanthropic effectiveness through the greater inclusion of multicultural talent in foundation appointments, investments and contracting. He also holds a seat on the Board of Governors of the California Community College system, one of California’s leading generators of workforce and economic development activity. Ramos, a California native, received a bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Berkeley, an MPA (Master’s in Public Administration) from Harvard University and a JD (Juris Doctorate) from UC Berkeley Law School.

As the seventh president in the Insight Center’s 44-year history, Ramos succeeds Roger Clay Jr., who resigned in May after nine years of leadership to continue to engage in issues of racial and economic justice and equity as a lawyer and consultant. Says Insight Center Board Chairman Bea Stotzer; “On behalf of the Board, I wish to thank Roger Clay for nine years of stewardship at Insight in which he brought in great new talent and expanded the organizational footprint to achieve national recognition as a thought and practice leader. We are very excited about Insight’s future.”

_____________________________________________________________________________

About the Insight Center for Community Economic Development
The Insight Center for Community Economic Development is a national research, consulting, and legal organization dedicated to building economic health in vulnerable communities.

Contact: David Thigpen dthigpen@insightcced.org (510) 251-2600 x107