Donald Phoenix
Chair of the Board
Donald Phoenix is Chair of the Board of Directors at the Center for Community Progress. Prior to his retirement, he had a distinguished career with NeighborWorks America, a Congressionally chartered community development intermediary, where he served as Regional Vice President. Phoenix was responsible for overseeing financial and technical services to network organizations in 13 states and the District of Columbia.
Phoenix led NeighborWorks’ Katrina/Rita Gulf rebuilding efforts and was presented the Key to the City of New Orleans for his outstanding efforts to deliver needed resources to assist communities challenged by these devastating storms.
Phoenix also received the 2023 NeighborWorks Founders award, which is presented annually to those who “embody NeighborWorks’ core values and whose lasting contributions shaped both NeighborWorks and its network.”
A long-term community development lender and investor, Phoenix has served as Executive Director of the Neighborhood Housing Services of Savannah, Housing Director for the City of Savannah, Vice President of Carver State Bank of Savannah, and Assistant Vice President of Great Southern Federal Savings Bank. Phoenix is a board member of several community development organizations. He enjoys landscaping and gardening as a form of relaxation and introspective reflection.