Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), a leading community development organization, has named Jackie Koney to lead its work in Kalamazoo, with a focus on expanding affordable housing, small business, health, safety and jobs.
Koney, formerly chief operating officer at Paper City Development, led a $150 million effort to renovate Vicksburg’s paper mill. She moved on to a post as interim chief strategy officer for the Village of Vicksburg. She took the new post with LISC March 17.
“Jackie has a terrific range of experience collaborating with the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to expand opportunities for local residents and advance long-term gains for communities,” said Michael Pugh, LISC president and CEO. “She knows Kalamazoo, having been involved in regional growth, and understands how to galvanize public and private partners to support community development.
In addition to her economic development work in Michigan, she has directed operations and development for the Salzburg Global Seminar in Washington, D.C., worked as a consultant to non-governmental organizations in Tbilisi, Georgia, and directed youth employment and education services at the YMCA in Seattle.
“What I can say with certainty, after years of doing this work, is that community development programs need to align with the rich culture and character of the places where they invest—not the other way around,” Koney said. “That’s why I think LISC is so important: We stand shoulder to shoulder with residents, business owners, and policymakers to understand our communities’ challenges and design specific local solutions.
“It’s a LISC model that has worked across the country for nearly 50 years.”
Beyond her professional work, Koney has volunteered her time for several organizations. She serves on the board for the National Coalition for Community Capital, previously served on advisory committees for Vicksburg Arts and Discover Kalamazoo, and the board of the Vicksburg Downtown Development Authority. while also founding its arts and placemaking committee.
Koney earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in nonprofit leadership from Seattle University.
Since its founding in 1979, LISC has invested $32 billion to create more than 506,000 affordable homes and apartments, develop 82.5 million square feet of retail, community, and educational space, and help tens of thousands of people find employment and improve their finances.
