Brian Blake

CDBA Public Policy Director

As Public Policy Director, Brian will work with the CDBA team to advance the public policy advocacy agenda, helping members engage with regulatory and legislative developments. He will also lead member efforts to plan, execute and deliver proprietary and innovative banking products that serve LMI communities at scale.

Brian comes to CDBA from Morgan Stanley, where he managed community development strategy and CRA compliance at the firm’s two national banks (Both “Outstanding,” of course!). Prior to that Brian wore a number of hats for 6.5 years at CDBA member Spring Bank, in the Bronx, NY. He also served as CRA Officer at Bridgehampton National Bank, a commercial bank on Long Island, and as the Chief Communications Officer for a mission-oriented small businesses FinTech startup.

Brian volunteers on the credit committee of Business Outreach Center Capital (BOC), a micro lender in New York City, and until recently served as Treasurer of Hope Community Inc., a venerable East Harlem developer and manager of affordable housing. Brian was born in Manhattan and brought up in and around the city, and now lives with his wife, Emily, and son, Finn in Washington, D.C. Brian holds a B.A. in English from Dickinson College, and an M.B.A from the Zicklin School of Business, Baruch College, CUNY.