NASHVILLE, TN – ThinkTennessee announced today that Adriane Bond Harris will join the staff as Senior Policy Advisor on Housing. In this role, she will lead the organization’s efforts to increase investment in sustainable housing systems that align with transportation options in Tennessee.
Harris is an urban planner and community development practitioner with a proven track record of multi-stakeholder engagement and public-private partnerships in implementing housing and growth management policy and programs for over 20 years.
“For decades, many of the policies, plans, and financing tools dictated how and where housing was built and created inequitable outcomes,” said Harris. “I have spent my career trying to rebalance the housing system through roles in the public and private sectors, and I am thrilled to continue the work at such a mission-driven, results-focused think tank like ThinkTennessee.”
In her role as Principal/Owner of HarCo Consulting, she supports leaders, organizations, and communities of color in implementing authentic, equitable, and innovative solutions through active listening, coaching, and supportive action planning and execution. Prior to consulting, Adriane led and implemented national and place-based housing and community development initiatives with a focus on creating healthy, affordable, and culturally curated spaces and places in communities of color with low to moderate incomes, including work directing the Office of Housing under Nashville Mayors Megan Barry and David Briley.
“ThinkTennessee is committed to evidence-based policies that will help Tennessee families thrive,” said ThinkTennessee President Erin Hafkenschiel. “Through research, engagement, and advocacy, we are driving forward solutions that will ensure typical household expenses like housing become more affordable. Adriane is an exceptionally experienced housing policy expert with the background, skill set, and gravitas needed to make our impact even greater and we couldn’t be more excited to have her on our team.”
Adriane holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration from Middle Tennessee State University and a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Tennessee – Knoxville. She is also a Center for Community Investment Fulcrum Fellow and Field Catalyst, which is focused on increasing investment in communities using traditional and nontraditional capital, including integrating health institutions and philanthropy.
