Seven months after announcing her departure from PIDC, Anne Bovaird Nevins’ new career venture has been revealed, and it’s with Accelerator for America.

The organization is known as one of the leaders in finding and developing solutions to address economic insecurity, sharing them with cities nationwide to create national change from the ground up. 

In the same mold, Bovaird Nevins joins the organization as its new director of economic development.

“As Director of Economic Development, Anne drives our work to create greater economic mobility through small business support, workforce development initiatives, and neighborhood redevelopment,” said Accelerator President & CEO Mary Ellen Wiederwhol, in a statement. 

This is a role that Bovaird Nevins is looking forward to because it’s one that allows her to take action.

“America’s cities need action, so I’m excited to work with a “do tank” to strategically bring much-needed capacity to support mayors and communities to do more than they could on their own,” she said. 

“I’m especially eager to dive into how the Accelerator uniquely recognizes the differences among our nation’s local communities but hones in on the challenges and opportunities we all share to create national change from the ground up,” Bovaird Nevins added. 

Furthermore, Bovaird Nevins is eager and excited to expand capital access for underserved communities across the country.

This effort aligns relatively close with her tenure at PIDC. 

During her 16 years with the organization, she spent the final two as President, leading the organization through the unprecedented times of the pandemic. 

Under her leadership, PIDC managed to deploy more than $71 million in COVID-19 relief to more than 5,200 small businesses — more than 65% of those COVID-19 relief dollars have gone to enterprises owned by people of color. 

She also played an instrumental role in structuring new programs with government partners to help further support communities that needed it most. 

Before being appointed president, her previous roles with PIDC were as chief strategy and communications officer, and senior vice president for marketing and business development, respectively. 

During her time with PIDC, she also created PIDC and Urban Land Institute (ULI), which focuses on the future of work and the impact on industrial and commercial land. 

PIDC has yet to appoint a new permanent president, instead announcing that former executive vice president Sam Rhoades will serve as interim president of PIDC and PIDC Community Capital last month. 

Throughout her career, Bovaird Nevins has displayed a commitment to making a positive impact. 

In addition to her new role with Accelerator for America, Bovaird Nevins also serves as co-chair of the Racism and Economic Development Committee of the International Economic Development Council.