Kurt Sommer Email & Phone Number

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Manage foundation and facilitate processes to provide funding to organizations serving West Baltimore residents with workforce development, food access, mentoring, and population health programming. Work collaboratively with community, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, businesses, and anchor institutions. Develop and work with partners to advance a community resource center.

Baltimore, Maryland

Worked with partners to stabilize and strengthen neighborhoods throughout the LifeBridge Health service area. Collaborated with internal and external organizations to strengthen education and employment opportunities for neighborhood residents and promote business climate through targeted economic development activity. Developed community leadership and organizational capacity.

Baltimore, Maryland

Managed all aspects of a collective impact initiative to advance workforce and investment opportunities for Baltimore City residents, businesses and neighborhoods through economic inclusion. Convened and coordinated public, nonprofit, anchor institution, and private sector partners to achieve local hiring, local and minority purchasing, and community investment goals. Managed grantees, consultants, budget and evaluation activities while reporting to a Governance Board. Raised capital and operating funding to support the initiative and work of partners. Leveraged research, on-the-ground experiences, and partners to influence government, anchor, and philanthropic policies, practices, and investments to sustain the goals of the initiative. Presented frequently to national and local audiences.

Crownsville, Maryland

Directed state legislative affairs and government relations while managing and implementing special projects on behalf of the Secretary. Worked with constituency, advocacy, industry, government agencies, and elected officials on a diverse range of affordable housing, building code, real estate finance, and community development issues. Developed, coordinated, and assisted with affordable housing and revitalization initiatives, programmatic activities, and special projects. Focused on key policy matters impacting the State of Maryland including BRAC, foreclosures, and Smart Growth. Managed Department’s legislative team.

Baltimore, Maryland

Provided federal, state, and local public policy analysis and legislative support on key issues affecting Baltimore and its neighborhoods for the joint agency of the Department of Housing and Community Development/Housing Authority of Baltimore City. Facilitated agency coordination and provided research, analysis, and other support to the Commissioner. Represented Baltimore City and served in the Mayor's Office of Government Relations at the Maryland General Assembly. Coordinated and wrote testimony, lobbied representatives, testified on bills, and advocated for housing, economic development, and planning issues impacting the City. Helped research and implement a broad range of housing and community redevelopment initiatives to provide market rate and affordable housing, stimulate private sector investment, and revitalize neighborhoods.

Washington, D.C.

Conducted short and long-term research projects analyzing national urban and metropolitan data, trends, and policies that impact the health of cities and metropolitan areas. Focused on housing, transportation/transit, business development/employment, schools, poverty, and environmental issues as they relate to urban and metropolitan demographic, social, and economic patterns. Examined the impacts of public policy and governance on urban growth and sprawl. Evaluated and developed state and local best practices that promote smarter growth, economic competitiveness, and urban revitalization. Worked and coordinated research efforts with constituency organizations and partners while assisting in the development of marketing and messaging strategies for publications and the website. Developed, maintained, and marketed the Center’s website and content features to information networks, partner organizations, and media outlets.

Easton, Maryland

Provided research, writing and staff support on various community planning projects for public and private clients. Served as staff to the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Local Government Advisory Committee. Coordinated a recognition program promoting best practices that protect and preserve the Chesapeake Bay.

Master'S Degree, City/Urban, Community And Regional Planning

Bachelor'S Degree, Political Science And Government

High School