Mayor Johnson taps Chicago real estate executive to head city’s Department of Planning and Development

Mayor Brandon Johnson announced the appointment of Ciere Boatright as the new commissioner for Chicago’s Department of Planning and Development Wednesday.

Boatright currently serves as vice president of real estate and community development at CRG, the real estate development and investment arm of real estate firm Clayco. She is a Chicago native, according to a news release from the mayor’s office.

Her appointment, which takes effect Nov. 20, follows the departure of former Commissioner Maurice Cox and is subject to City Council approval. Cox announced he would be stepping down in August.

“Ciere Boatright is a tremendously talented and respected executive with a proven track record of managing public and private developments across the city and getting deals done,” Johnson said in the news release. “As a native Chicagoan who knows the landscape of our city, her unique understanding of community economic development, commercial real estate, affordable housing, job creation and neighborhood engagement will ensure our city works equitably for all Chicagoans.”

Boatright did not respond immediately to the Tribune’s request for comment.

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Boatright also developed and managed CRG’s philanthropy program, CRG Cares, and launched CRG’s PILLAR, an initiative to support developers of color, according to the news release. Before her role at CRG, Boatright was vice president of real estate and inclusion at Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives Inc., an organization working to revitalize low and moderate income neighborhoods.

In the news release, Boatright said she looks forward to working with Johnson on his “vision for the city.”

“I am honored to join Mayor Johnson and the incredible team at DPD to work with developers, business and community leaders, and residents to create a more equitable, vibrant and inclusive future throughout all Chicago neighborhoods,” Boatright said. “Together, we will work with communities to foster inclusive growth through equitable contracting, planning, zoning, development and innovation that will fuel meaningful economic opportunities for generations of Chicagoans.

Boatright has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Hamilton College in New York and a master’s degree in urban planning and policy from University of Illinois at Chicago, according to her LinkedIn profile.

ekane@chicagotribune.com