North Shore CDC Executive Director Felicia Pierce (evening meeting)

Felicia Pierce, Chief Executive Officer, North Shore CDC

Felicia Pierce, Chief Executive Officer of North Shore CDC, is a nationally recognized, award-winning non-profit leader with over 15 years of experience in community organizing, planning, and development. Pierce is known for her strategic vision and leadership, informed by community engagement, to develop impactful strategies, programs, and projects that enhance economic development, innovative affordable housing, and neighborhood growth for marginalized and underinvested communities throughout the North Shore.

In 2019, she was instrumental in developing the innovative service model for Harbor Crossing, which provides affordable housing to young adults who have experienced homelessness or are aging out of foster care. In 2020, she designed and launched NSCDC’s Community Ambassador Program. Both of these unique program models have been duplicated by other communities and organizations due to their effectiveness and positive impact on vulnerable populations.

Pierce extends her expertise and dedication to service locally by supporting the community as Board Vice-Chair for Root N.S. and serving on the Essex County Community Foundation’s Racial Equity Committee. She is also the co-founder of the North Women of Color Association and was featured in the April 2022 issue of North Shore Magazine in the article “Wonder Women.” Pierce was recognized as one of Salem's Wonder Women by the Peabody Essex Museum in 2020 and was named Director of the Year in 2019 by YouthBuild USA.

Originally from NYC, Pierce now resides in Lynn, MA, with her husband Milton and their inquisitive, resilient 4-year-old pre-adoptive foster daughter . She finds balance through strength training, mentoring other women, listening to vinyl records, and serving in her church.

Pierce holds a Master of Social Work with a major in community organization and planning from the CUNY Hunter School of Social Work, a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from SUNY College at Old Westbury, a certificate in nonprofit management and leadership from Tufts University through the Institute for Nonprofit Practice, and is a Spring 2024 graduate of the LEADS - Leaders Engaged and Activated to Drive System-wide Change program.