Advisory Board
Early in the fall of 2009, the NNNC executive board voted expand the support and reach of its leadership outside the ranks of existing Center staff and HUD representatives. The new Advisory Board is designed to include the input and resources of new allies, forging new partnerships with like-minded individuals and organizations in an effort to adapt NNNC’s mission the new national housing, economic and media-focused climate.
Advisor Board Members:
James E. Geraghty
Executive Director, Private Wealth Management
Jim received his Bachelors degree from Brown University in 1985 and immediately began his career with Kidder, Peabody & Company. From1994-1999 Jim worked for Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette before joining Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management in 2001. Jim is currently a member of the Morgan Stanley Chairman Club and has been recognized as one of the country’s Top Financial Advisors in a list published by Barron’s. Additionally, in 2008, Jim was recognized as one of the top ten advisors in Massachusetts by the Boston Journal. Jim serves as a Board member and Chair of the Advisory Committee for the United Teen Equality Center. He is also the founder of the Massachusetts Children’s Hockey Foundation and holds a seat on the VIP Committee for the Morgan Stanley Foundation. Jim lives in Westford, MA with his wife Susan and their four children.
Richard O'Bryant
Director, John D. O’Bryant African-American Institute
Dr. O’Bryant joined the Northeastern University family in 2003 as an assistant professor of political science and a senior research fellow at the Center for Urban and Regional Policy, but took leave in 2007 to become director of the John D. O’Bryant African-American Institute. Since then, the Institute has become more engaged with many aspects of Northeastern University including academic components, community outreach efforts, connecting with the NU Black alumni and the enhancement of the breadth and depth of programs and services offered. His most recent research activity and interests include the establishment of the "Connect-The-Disconnected" Initiative which identifies national and international efforts focused on connecting marginalized members of society to information, resources and social and political networks. Dr. O’Bryant’s professional experience also includes serving as a senior software engineer at Digital Equipment Corporation (now HPCompaq). He was one of five recipients of the2002-2003 National Rising Scholars Award to Advance Research on Higher Education for the Public Good. He is a long-time member of the Concerned Black Men of Massachusetts, a volunteer organization that works with young black males on positive self-development. In 1997 and 1998 Dr. O’Bryant served as fellow in MIT's renowned Community Fellows Program. He received his undergraduate degree in computer systems engineering from Howard University and a Ph.D. in urban and regional studies from MIT in 2004.
Jessica Venegas
Field Manager, UNITY of Greater New Orleans
Jessica Venegas works for UNITY of Greater New Orleans (UNITY) as Field Manager for Housing Development through her recently completed Fellowship with the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Urban Redevelopment Excellence (CUREx). Common Ground Institute, out of New York, embarked on a long-term partnership with UNITY to facilitate the development of 500 new housing units and to build the understanding and capacity locally to target rental units to house the chronically homeless. As a field manager for the partnership, Jessica is focused on program development, project management, policy advocacy, and public relations for the partnerships’ New Orleans housing development priorities. Jessica’s most recent position in Louisiana was Vice President of Public Policy for the Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations. She came to Louisiana from Washington DC where she was Director of Community Assessment with the Community Preservation and Development Corporation. Jessica has worked primarily in the nonprofit housing sector and has over thirteen years of urban community development and program management experience.
She is an inaugural Fellow in the Louisiana Effective Leaders Program, a one year Fellowship offered to Louisiana leaders by the Terry Sanford Institute of Public Policy at Duke University and the School of Business at Southern University Baton Rouge. Jessica was named a 2009 Louisiana Heroine by LANO for her work with Puentes. She currently sits on the board of Puentes New Orleans, Inc., the YWCA of Baton Rouge and the Louisiana Housing Alliance.
Jessica lives just outside of Baton Rouge, LA, with her husband Milton J. Bailey. Her stepdaughter, Leah Randolph Bailey, attends Loyola University in New Orleans.
Dr. Wayne Montague
Director of Community Relations, Winn Residential
Dr. Wayne Montague is currently the director of Community Relations for Winn Residential. Winn Residential, a division of Winn Companies in Boston, is committed to serving residents with excellence by meeting the unique needs of individuals, while also fostering a safe, pleasant and welcoming environment. Dr. Montague happily declares that he loves this work, because he has a part in helping people by providing quality housing with innovative educational programs.
In 2008, he retired form the Providence school system where he served as the principal of the nationally acclaimed Hope High School, known as a "litmus test" (ProJo.com) for creative re-organization of public schools to improve student performance in cities.
He currently serves on many community boards inlcuding Rhode Island Sate Police, Wiggin Village Housing Complex, Roger Williams Day Care, St. Andrew's School Corporation, Rhode Island NAACP, Ebenezer Knight Dexter Trust Fund, and the Music One Program. In the past, he also served on the boards of the Rhode Island Interscholastic League Principals Committee on Athletics, Administrators of Providence Public Schools Association, Trinity Repertory Theatre and the State of Rhode Island Commission on Racing and Athletics.
After receiving his undergraduate degree from Rhode Island College, then two Master's degrees and a Doctoral degree, his motto continues to be "Always Carry Yourself With Class and Dignity." He has been recognized many times during both his professional and academic careers, including the the St. Andrew's School Hall of Fame, Hetherman Award Winner as Outstanding Scholar/Athlete and at Rhode Island College, the New England Basketball Hall of Fame, Providence Teacher of the Year Award, Rev. Sammy Vaughn Community Service Award, West End Community Center-Community Service Award and Father of the Year Award.
Dr. Montegue lives in Rhode Island with his wife, Janice, with whom he raised his son Wayne, Jr. and daughter, Leslie.