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Carol Naughton
Nationally recognized nonprofit leader | Change agent, leading from the lens of racial equity | Chief Executive Officer at Purpose Built Communities
Carol R. Naughton is the Chief Executive Officer of Purpose Built Communities, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving racial equity, economic mobility, and health outcomes in neighborhoods across the United States.12
Career Background
Carol has been with Purpose Built Communities since its founding in 2009, initially serving as Senior Vice President and then President before becoming CEO in 2020.13 Prior to joining Purpose Built Communities, she had a 25-year career in holistic community development, including:
- Executive Director of the East Lake Foundation
- General Counsel and Deputy Executive Director at the Atlanta Housing Authority
- Commercial real estate lawyer in private practice in Atlanta2
Role and Vision
As CEO, Carol sets the strategic vision for Purpose Built Communities, focusing on:
- Growth and development of the organization
- Impact of Purpose Built Communities and its network
- Supporting local leaders in implementing resident-centered, holistic neighborhood revitalization initiatives2
Carol is passionate about creating neighborhoods that lift people out of poverty and promoting racial justice in society.3 She believes in investing in people and neighborhoods that have suffered from systemic racism to address the racial wealth gap and disparities in life expectancy.3
Expertise and Recognition
Carol is nationally recognized as a leader in place-based partnerships and community development. Her work has been featured in various publications, including:
- Huffington Post
- TEDx Atlanta
- Federal Reserve of San Francisco
- Nonprofit Finance Fund's book "Investing in Results"2
Education
Carol holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Colgate University and a J.D. from Emory University School of Law.2
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