Joan Chase is the Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Fund for Our Economic Future. In that role, Joan oversees the holistic execution of the Fund’s strategic direction, monitors performance for its portfolio of initiatives, and guides the organization’s “jobs to people” strategy around job access relating to the job hubs framework to drive more economic development in places with concentrations of existing talent, infrastructure and civic alignment.Chase joined the Fund in May 2023 from Allegro Real Estate Brokers & Advisors, where she led the consulting practice for government, nonprofit, and corporate clients as Senior Manager and a member of Allegro’s leadership team. In prior roles, she spearheaded the development of the Midtown Tech Hive as Director of Place for DigitalC, worked in management at the Cleveland International Fund and Greater Cleveland Partnership, and began her career in management consulting at Accenture. Chase holds an M.S. in Urban Studies with a concentration in Economic Development from Levin College of Public Affairs and Education at Cleveland State University and a B.A. in Economics from Case Western Reserve University. She is a published author of research and has served on boards and committees of local organizations including Cogswell Hall, Bad Girl Ventures and The Cleveland Foundation’s Neighborhood Connections program.