Wendi Redfern named interim executive director of embattled West North Avenue authority

In a shift, the West North Avenue Development Authority has announced the appointment of community development veteran Wendi Redfern as its interim executive director.

The moves comes several weeks after Nick Mosby, a former City Council president, was introduced as the embattled organization’s interim leader, three sources familiar with the decision said. He had been familiarizing himself with the authority’s projects.

Neither Mosby nor Anthony L. Jenkins, president of Coppin State University and chairman of the authority’s board of directors, responded to requests for comment about what happened to Mosby’s involvement with the position.

Redfern, who has more than 25 years of community development experience, currently serves as vice president of real estate development for the authority.

The organization’s previous director, Chad Williams, was terminated following an Instagram post that showed him in a heated exchange with an artist about his behavior toward women. At one point, Williams is seen being pulled away from the woman.

The authority was created by Maryland law to manage funds appropriated by the city and state to revitalize a stretch of West Baltimore and partners with Coppin State University. The authority’s executive director is a state government official appointed by a board that includes the governor and the mayor.

Jenkins described Redfern as a “change agent and project manager that WNADA needs,” in a press release.

“She has a proven track record of uplifting communities and building strong organizations. She also shares our deep belief that the work of WNADA is a powerful engine of social mobility and life-changing opportunity for the people and families who call West Baltimore home,” Jenkins added. “I am grateful to the members of our Board for their dedication and thoughtful engagement in identifying the right leader to guide us through this transition.”

The board expressed appreciation to Williams for his service and contributions to the organization.

“We are grateful for his leadership and contributions to WNADA and wish him well in his future endeavors,” Jenkins said in the release.

A Baltimore native, Redfern has spent her career advancing neighborhood development, housing opportunities and community investment, according to a press release. She previously worked as deputy commissioner for development at the Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development, where she oversaw acquisition, property disposition, grants, asset management and project financing.

She also held senior leadership positions with the D.C. Housing Finance Agency and ReBUILD Metro. She earned her law degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law.