On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff at Urban Alliance (UA), we are thrilled to announce that Rev. Perkin F. Simpson has been selected to serve as UA’s next Executive Director, beginning on March 1, 2021.
Rev. Simpson comes to UA with over 22 years of combined nonprofit, corporate, and stewardship experience. Since 2008, Rev. Simpson has worked for the American Baptist Foundation, including for the last 9+ years as its’ Executive Director. His prior career experiences also include positions at Prudential Financial, UBS PaineWebber, and The Hartford Insurance Company.
Perkin’s personal and professional background, as well as his lived experience has been nothing short of impressive. In speaking on behalf of both Board and staff, we believe his proven track record of organizational leadership, vision, and strategy aligns well with UA’s Executive Director position.
Rev. Simpson is a University of Connecticut graduate, where he earned a B.A. in Communication Sciences. He later went on to complete a Master of Business Administration from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Master of Science in Financial Services from American College. He is also a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®).
On a personal level, Rev. Simpson is excited to return to Hartford, his home for over 25 years, where most of his family still resides. He and his wife, Lisa, have been married for over 20 years and are blessed with two teenage sons, Christian and Scotland.
“Faith and service are two guiding principles that govern my life,” shared Rev. Simpson. “Urban Alliance’s vision of strengthening people spiritually, physically, economically and socially through collaborative partnerships of churches aligns closely with my values and current ministry.”
Our Board selection committee has experienced God’s leading and direction throughout this entire search process and transition season for UA. Rev. Simpson and Russell Jarvis will be working together for a coordinated handoff of the leadership responsibilities at UA during the first week of March. As Rev. Simpson begins his new role at UA, we can’t wait for you to meet him and for him to get to know all of you—our valued friends and partners, network participants, donors, volunteers, and community leaders.
We look forward, in faith and hope, to all that God has in store for UA and for the Greater Hartford community. We are delighted to welcome Rev. Perkin Simpson to the UA team!
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Vanderploeg, PhD
Chair, Urban Alliance Board of Directors
