Angela Blanchard

President Emerita at BakerRipley and Taubman Fellow and Social Entrepreneur in Residence at Brown University

Angela Blanchard is a globally recognized expert practitioner in community development, disaster recovery, and effective long-term integration of immigrants and refugees. While CEO of BakerRipley, the largest community development organization in Texas, Ms. Blanchard’s breakthrough strategies successfully revitalized neighborhoods in Houston, while providing a powerful model for cities around the world. Frequently sought out by international nonprofit organizations and government leaders, her innovative, strength-based framework — Appreciative Community Building — has set the new standard for integrating diverse populations into thriving communities.

Her numerous accolades include the prestigious Heinz Award, three invitations to the White House, and extensive press coverage. She was featured in the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, and Fast Company magazine named her one of the most creative people in the nation.

Ms. Blanchard is a Nonresident Senior Fellow in the Centennial Scholar Initiative at the Brookings Institution and serves on the Board of the Business Innovation Factory and the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University. She is currently a Taubman Fellow and Social Entrepreneur in Residence at Brown University and serves as president emerita at BakerRipley.