The Pratt Center for Community Development has appointed Alexa Kasdan as its new executive director, effective September 1, 2023. Kasdan will bring to the role “two decades of experience in participatory research and policy advocacy to the role, along with the ability to leverage strong partnerships within the philanthropic community.”

As executive director of the Center, Kasdan will oversee the institution’s professional staff and coordinate with Pratt Institute faculty, students, and staff to “facilitate community-led planning, applied research, and public policy advocacy to help local organizations challenge and overcome systemic inequities.”

Kasdan's academic qualifications include a master's degree in public policy from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government and a bachelor’s degree in political science and African-American studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her policy and research career began at Community Voices Heard (CVH), working with women of color and low-income communities and advocating for affordable housing and economic justice.

Between 2009 and 2019, Kasdan held leadership roles at the Community Development Project at the Urban Justice Center (now called TakeRoot Justice), where she worked on housing, climate justice, workers’ rights, and equitable development campaigns. She also co-chaired the Participatory Budgeting Process in NYC, empowering the public to influence budget outcomes.

In 2020, she transitioned to a directorial role at Demos, focusing on racial and economic justice and voting rights while supervising budget, program work, and fundraising efforts.

“I’m thrilled to join the Pratt Center as its next executive director,” Kasdan said in a statement. “Communities across New York are working tirelessly to rebuild NYC and fight for affordable housing, climate justice, workers’ rights, and equitable development, despite significant challenges.”

“With all of the resources and expertise across the Pratt Institute, I know that the Pratt Center can and will play a pivotal role in supporting community groups as they fight for a more just and equitable NYC,” Kasdan added.