Joan Straussman Brandon

Community development expert, licensed real estate agent and professional coach are just a few of the titles that Joan Straussman Brandon has in her arsenal of skills.

“I believe that the work we do at NeighborWorks America helps to make the world just a little bit better for the individuals, families, and communities our resources reach,” says Straussman Brandon. “Our network organizations are some of the best and the brightest at what they do.”

Straussman Brandon has worked for NeighborWorks America for nearly 30 years on staff and as a consultant. On staff, she has served both Field Operations and the Organizational Assessment Division (OAD). As a consultant, she served as instructor for the NeighborWorks Training Institutes and Community Leadership Institutes. Straussman Brandon’s  accomplishments include chartering reviews for more than 60 new network affiliates, managing complex organizational assessments, and helping develop the PROMPT® review system, which is now used nationally. Most recently, she served as the senior director of the Northeast region.

In her current role as regional vice president, Brandon will oversee operations for more than 70 network organizations, which comprise nearly a third of the national NeighborWorks network.

“I would like to believe that my work has led to a broadening of the network as well as built capacity and kept the network true to its founding principles,” said Straussman Brandon. “Throughout the various positions I have held, I remain focused on organizational, board, and leadership development, the cornerstones of organizational capacity.”

Prior to re-joining NeighborWorks, she worked as director of programs at the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey, a statewide association of more than 250 community development organizations and professionals.

Straussman Brandon earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Clark University in Massachusetts and her Master’s Degree in social work with a concentration in planning and community organizing from Boston College. She has taken a host of community development courses at Harvard Extension School and New York University. She is fluent in Spanish.