Susan Boyd Elevated to CEO at Bellwether Housing

Feb. 15, 2017 SEATTLE – After a thoughtful and extensive nationwide search engaging more than 150 prospects from a variety of sectors, the Bellwether Housing Board of Directors announced today that Susan Boyd has been selected to serve as the Chief Executive Officer effective immediately.

“Susan has a true passion for our mission and has dedicated her career to creating communities in which low income people have the opportunity to thrive,” shared Bellwether Board Chair Harry Matsumoto. “She is a leader in the affordable housing community and her proven track record for developing strategic partnerships, her deep knowledge of housing policy and her well-honed financial acumen are just what this organization needs to achieve its next phase of growth and community impact.”

“I am deeply honored to be the next leader of this incredible organization,” said Boyd. “I am so fortunate to take this position surrounded by the talent and dedication of the Bellwether team. The environmental and economic health of our region, the well-being of our people, and the civic strength of our communities is dependent on our collective ability to meet our region’s affordable housing needs. It is very exciting for me to have the opportunity to leverage the strength of this organization to meet those needs."

With an annual budget of $20 million, Bellwether has developed 1,900 units of affordable housing that it manages at 30 different locations throughout Seattle. Bellwether has two projects under construction, Anchor Flats and Arbora Court, which are slated to open in 2018. These projects will add 200 apartments to the South Lake Union and University District neighborhoods and will serve low income and formerly homeless households.

Boyd brings 28 years of experience in direct social service, policy analysis, advocacy and law to Bellwether and is a respected voice on regional housing issues. For the last four years, Boyd has served as Bellwether’s Director of Real Estate Development, leading housing development strategy and tripling the number of units the organization has in production. In that time, Boyd has also built relationships with for-profit developers, non-profit organizations and governments, served as an organizational spokesperson and helped guide the vision of the organization. Prior to coming to Bellwether, Boyd was a partner at the law firm Kantor Taylor Nelson Boyd & Evatt PC, representing tax-exempt nonprofits, for-profits and public agencies throughout the West coast in all aspects of the development and financing of affordable housing and community facilities.