Angela Blanchard is a globally recognized expert practitioner in community development, disaster recovery and effective long-term integration of immigrants and refugees. Angela Blanchard will join the Swearer Center from Houston, Texas where she serves as the President and CEO of BakerRipley, Texas’ largest community development organization. Blanchard currently is a leading expert in community development, disaster recovery and effective long-term integration for immigrants and refugees.

In September, in the midst of leading BakerRipley’s long-term disaster recovery efforts following Hurricane Harvey, Blanchard was recognized as the recipient of the 2017 Heinz Award in the Human Condition. After more than 20 years as CEO and the end of 2017, Blanchard will continue working with the BakerRipley team as President Emerita, before joining the Swearer Center for her appointment. The nonprofit currently serves more than a half-million people across 48 counties.

Angela joined the Brown community in January 2018 as a Swearer Center Social Entrepreneur in Residence. During her semester in Providence she'll teach a graduate seminar, "Disaster, Displacement and Response: A Practitioner, People-Focused Lens on Urban Policy & Practice," in the Watson Institute Master of Public Affairs (MPA) program, and serve as an advisor and convener within the social innovation community at the University.

Office hours 
Angela invites students and members of the Brown community to join her at 125 Waterman Street on Thursday afternoons from 4-6 p.m. for open hours. Directions for entry to the building are listed on the door.

She is also available to meet with students by appointment. Please email her or call her (281-979-4690) to schedule a time for an individual meeting.