Dana Redd is a proven and experienced leader with over 28 years of service in the public sector. She is a forward-thinking professional with a demonstrated ability to lead organizational change. SJ Magazine recognized Ms. Redd as “The woman warrior who just might change Camden,” touting her tough stance and the decision to join the Camden County Police Department. The transition led to more officers patrolling the city and resulted in significant crime reduction within the first year of operation. The NJ Spotlight published the article “Upgrade In Troubled City’s Credit Rating Gives Camden New Hope,” which featured the city’s progress under her leadership.
Dana Redd has worked in various positions, from local government to the New Jersey State Senate. As a former Council Representative and Chair of the Housing Authority, Ms. Redd secured the city’s third HOPE VI designation. The investment of $122 million transformed an entire community with new public housing, expanded access to healthcare, improved parks and open space, and provided supportive community services for residents to reach self-sufficiency. As a former State Senator, Ms. Redd was a member of the Budget and Appropriations Committee, the Joint Committee on the Public Schools, the Community and Urban Affairs Committee, and the Committee on Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens. She sponsored and negotiated the passage of legislation creating the Homeless Trust Fund and $3.9 billion in new school construction funding for New Jersey Abbott Districts.
As Mayor, she successfully transitioned the city from state takeover to local control. Ms. Redd immediately launched a capacity-building retreat for her executive staff and department heads focused on the “change model.” The initiative not only allowed her to set the vision, mission, and goals for transforming the city but also, fostered team building to increase service delivery and improve resident satisfaction. While 2012 began the transition to a Camden County Police Department for public safety, in 2013, Ms. Redd led a full state intervention into the public school system to improve academic outcomes for urban youth. The state and local partnership focused on creating the “cradle to college to career” pathway in education, offering Camden parents choice through traditional, charter, and Renaissance schools. Most notably, in 2014, Standard and Poor’s Rating Services (S&P) published an issuer credit rating of BBB+. S&P recognized the fiscal controls the Redd Administration instituted to improve and stabilize the city's finances. This was an outstanding achievement since the city had not received an investment grade rating in over 15 years.
Dana previously served as CEO of the Rowan University/Rutgers-Camden Board of Governors. Ms. Redd managed board operations, construction, and management of a 95,000-square-foot biomedical and academic research facility home to Rowan University, Rutgers-Camden, the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden County College, and the Joint Board Administrative Offices. She led the effort to develop an innovative Population Health Institute in South Jersey and has been responsible for securing $4.5 million in state funding to advance health equity, workforce development, and training initiatives that are reflective of the Board’s mission and overarching objectives of education, economic development, and civic engagement.
Today, Dana currently serves as the President and CEO of Camden Community Partnership, Inc. a private nonprofit organization whose mission is to serve as the catalyst for the preservation and growth of a vibrant Camden. In this role, Ms. Redd is the key management leader responsible for implementing the strategic plan and managing a diversified special project portfolio, including neighborhood initiatives, public infrastructure, and business development. She is charged with overseeing the administration, annual budget, board development, fundraising, and creating public-private partnerships.
Dana Redd is a Rutgers University – Camden graduate with a B.S. degree in Business Studies. She earned CEUs at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning/Public Policy and the CSC/ERC Robert J. Thompson Eastern Leadership Academy. She received her M.A. degree in Human Services Administration from Lincoln University.
In addition to her business acumen and volunteerism, Ms. Redd fosters and values the importance of civic engagement, grassroots organizing, and responsible redevelopment. She is a motivational speaker for interfaith organizations, nonprofit organizations, professional women’s groups, and chambers of commerce.
As a results-driven leader, Ms. Redd has a unique ability to inspire hope, effect change, and transform organizations. Dana Redd clearly understands the enormous responsibility that comes with leadership.
