Felicia Jacques has been nominated to serve on the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) Board, a position that would make her the first Black woman to serve on the five-member board if confirmed by the Boston City Council.
Jacques’ appointment would fill a vacant seat previously held by Dr. Ted Landsmark. Once confirmed, all BPDA Board seats would be filled.
Jacques currently serves as Principal Developer and Manager for Maloney Development and brings more than 20 years of experience in development, zoning, entitlements, financing, and design.
Her nomination was announced by Boston Mayor Michelle Wu as part of the city’s efforts to advance housing production, development oversight, and neighborhood planning.
“I’m thrilled to nominate Felicia Jacques to the board, joining a distinguished group of leaders with deep community experience and professional expertise,” Wu said. “Felicia brings decades of direct housing leadership and civic involvement to a role that will further advance our efforts to oversee development, support housing production, and preserve the history and vibrancy of our neighborhoods.”
If confirmed, Jacques will join the BPDA Board as it considers major planning and development matters, including planning studies, rezoning initiatives, land dispositions and acquisitions, and development project approvals.
Chief of Planning Kairos Shen said Jacques’ experience with development review and community preservation would be an asset to the board.
“Not only is she deeply familiar with the development review process in her current role with Maloney Development, but her involvement on various historic and community preservation boards and committees in the city shows her dedication to ensuring Boston continues to be built thoughtfully and pragmatically,” Shen said.
Jacques has served as chair of Boston’s Community Preservation Committee and has been involved with Historic Boston Inc., the Boston Landmarks Commission, and the Citizens Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA), where she previously served as board chair.
Before joining Maloney Development, Jacques was Director of Real Estate Development for the Northeast Region at Community Builders Inc. She is also a member of the Urban Land Institute and the Boston Chamber of Commerce and lives in Boston with her family.
“I am honored to take this appointment to support Mayor Wu’s goals to increase the creative built environment that meets at the intersection of planning, urban design and architecture and community,” Jacques said.
