Bernell K. Grier has been appointed CEO of Neighborhood Housing Services NYC.   Grier had been serving as interim executive Director.

Grier joined NHSNYC in 2004 as its chief operating officer.  Prior to joining NHSNYC, she enjoyed a 30-year career in banking beginning at Chase and spanning through Bank of America and its predecessor banks, NatWest USA and Fleet Bank.  At Fleet, Grier successfully launched the 67-branch Fleet Community Bank network in New York and New Jersey and served as the Director of Community Development for New York, New Jersey and parts of Florida.  In that role, she worked across the bank’s small business, mortgage lending, real estate and philanthropic foundation units to ensure the bank’s compliance with the U.S. Community Reinvestment Act, which resulted in outstanding CRA ratings.  Prior to that, Grier spent the majority of her banking career in commercial middle market lending before transitioning into the field of Community Development in 1995. 

“Bernell’s wealth of management experience and strong background in the financial industry has been a critical asset for helping NHSNYC steer through the economic crisis,” said Board President Howard C. Bluver. “She has earned a reputation as a stellar team-builder across our neighborhood offices and brought an important business discipline to our activities.  Bernell’s ability to cultivate truly collaborative relationships with both community and industry partners –coupled with her proven leadership and longstanding commitment to underserved communities – make her a clear and outstanding choice for CEO.”

Parallel to her career in the banking industry, Grier has over twenty years of experience serving low-income communities and volunteering with a variety of not-for-profit organizations.  Most recently, she traveled to South Africa to work with Emmanuel Baptist Church, Brooklyn in developing a community resource center in the Wintervelt area. 

"This is a critical time for New York City neighborhoods, and I am honored and pleased to lead such a dedicated, talented team working tirelessly on behalf of our communities,” said Grier. “Our immediate priority is to work with our partners to improve access to affordable capital, green innovations and financial education so our communities are more vibrant, greener and sustainably strong.”

Grier was recently appointed to the advisory board of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York.  She currently serves on the advisory board of the New York University Furman Center for Real Estate and Public Policy, on the board of Neighborhood Restore, and serves on various committees with the National NeighborWorks Association (NNA).  Grier is a graduate of the City University of New York, City College and a graduate of the James A. Johnson Community Leaders Program and the NeighborWorks\Harvard Achieving Excellence Program class of 2010.  Grier has received numerous awards for career and community service, including the 2006 Career Achievement Award by the City College of New York Business Alumni Association and the New York Women’s Agenda STAR in 2001.  Grier is also a Partnership for NYC David Rockefeller Fellow class of 2000.

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