Columbia Association (CA) has selected Lakey Boyd as the organization’s next President/CEO. Boyd has officially accepted the position and will start on Monday, May 3.

Lakey Boyd (hi res)
Lakey Boyd. Photo courtesy CA.

Boyd comes to the Columbia community with decades of experience in economic and community development.

Currently, Boyd serves as the principal consultant with Re:Posit Strategies, a company she founded to help clients analyze, strategize and transform to reach their full potential. Prior to that, Boyd worked as the deputy director of Strategy and Innovation for the City of Birmingham’s Department of Transportation and the director of operations for Innovate Birmingham.

Boyd’s top priority upon arriving in Columbia will be connecting with village leaders, residents, businesses, partner organizations and all CA stakeholders, and she looks forward to becoming a leader in our community.

“I have a lot of energy for building and transforming community and am always eager to find innovative ways to ensure equitable progress happens,” Boyd said. “I will be focused on transparent and inclusive leadership with an implementable vision co-created with the Columbia community. I am also honored to become part of the esteemed legacy of Jim Rouse’s work by serving in this critical role and will strive to embody the culture that we are always growing towards better.”

“Lakey Boyd brings a wealth of skills to her new position as the President/CEO of Columbia Association,” CA Board of Directors Chair Andy Stack said. “She is a dynamic and forward-looking individual. Her career has spanned public, private and non-profit organizations. She has a focus on transparent and inclusive leadership. Her master’s degree work in city planning exposed her to Jim Rouse’s work, and she is excited to continue Rouse’s goals for Columbia and build a better sense of community. The Columbia Association is pleased to have Lakey as our next President/CEO.”

The selection of CA’s new president/CEO comes after a nationwide recruitment effort that took place over several months. With the assistance of search firm Baker Tilly US, approximately 80 applicants expressed interest in the position. The firm presented the Board of Directors with 15 of the top candidates. Board members carefully narrowed that field down to five finalists who were invited to undergo a formal interview process. A comprehensive stakeholder survey also identified the community’s priorities for a new leader.

Current CA President/CEO Milton Matthews will end his tenure on April 30. He has led the organization for more than seven years.