De’Shawn Wright was appointed as interim CEO of the Newark Alliance Tuesday.
Wright joins Newark Alliance from Uber Technologies, where he was senior manager for public policy managing public affairs, policy, and communications in the Tri-State Region.
Prior to joining Uber Technologies, Wright founded Keystone Consulting LLC in 2015 to provide strategy, policy, management, and operations support to a diverse range of clientele in the nonprofit, government, and private sector. Additionally, he spent five years in Newark as the chief policy advisor to former Mayor Cory Booker from 2006 to 2010.
Wright will serve as interim CEO until a permanent leader is hired. The position has been vacant since former CEO Aisha Glover resigned to pursue a new role at Audible.
Wright
“I am excited to join the Newark Alliance at this critical juncture in the city’s history,” Wright said in a prepared statement. “Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, the Newark Alliance played a key role in fulfilling Mayor Baraka’s vision for inclusive economic growth throughout the city. That work is now more important than ever, as we strive to bring the city’s economy back to a position of strength in a post-pandemic environment.”
Wright will work closely with the Newark Anchor Collaborative, a think tank of private and public sector leaders that work together on initiatives that promote a more vibrant and inclusive Newark.
Wright identified the Newark 2020 local hiring initiative, created by Mayor Baraka with the goal of connecting 2,020 unemployed Newarkers with meaningful full-time work at the city’s corporations and anchor institutions, as a core priority to facilitate continued economic growth in the city.
He also plans to expand the Newark Live Local Program, which provides one-year incentives for eligible participants to rent or renovate homes in the city.
“De’Shawn’s experience in urban leadership and his ability to harness the power of private public partnerships will serve the Newark Alliance well,” said Lata Reddy, board chair for the Newark Alliance and SVP of inclusive solutions at Prudential Financial in a prepared statement. “We look forward to De’Shawn contributing his energies and expertise and making his imprint on the organization in the weeks and months ahead.”
