Nonet Sykes

Biography: Nonet Sykes is Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer for Atlanta BeltLine, Inc., one of the largest urban redevelopment projects in the United States. The first to hold this position, Sykes is responsible for providing cooperative leadership, management, and strategic planning to ensure equity and inclusion for all efforts related to the Atlanta BeltLine. She also helps to formulate policies that address health and sustainability in communities, innovation in community outreach and communication, displacement mitigation, and housing affordability. Prior to joining the Atlanta BeltLine, Inc., Sykes enjoyed a 17-year career at the Annie E. Casey Foundation. She held positions in community change, as well as talent and leadership development. Sykes ultimately earned the position of director of racial equity and inclusion, leading efforts to operationalize the Foundation’s commitment to racial and ethnic equity and inclusion and strengthening the capacity of staff and grantees to identify, implement, and promote the most effective strategies to increase equitable opportunities and outcomes for children, families, and communities of color. Sykes also served as deputy executive director and director of programs for the Maryland Center for Community Development, executive director of Tri-Churches Housing, Inc., and community development specialist with the Baltimore Community Development Financing Corporation. Sykes’ 20 plus years of experience spans the areas of community development, program strategy and development, nonprofit effectiveness, and organizational culture and change leadership. Sykes serves on the equity advisory panel and board of directors for the National Recreation and Parks Association, board of advisors for National League of Cities’ Race, Equity and Leadership Initiative, and board of directors for the Atlanta Wealth Building Initiative. Sykes was featured in the book Big Impact: Insights & Stories from America's Non-profit Leaders, the University of Baltimore Magazine in 2016, and the Association of Black Foundation Executives Magazine in 2014. Sykes was also named 2010 Leading Woman by The Daily Record. A native of Baltimore, Sykes earned a bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation services from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Baltimore where she was a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Fellow, and a certificate in organizational consulting and change leadership from Georgetown University. Sykes is a diamond life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.