URA Deputy Executive Director Diamonte Walker leaving for private sector

Pittsburgh’s Urban Redevelopment Authority said Friday that Deputy Executive Director Diamonte Walker is stepping down this spring to take a job in the private sector.

Walker began working for the URA in June 2017, serving as the minority and women-owned business enterprise program officer and helping to expand the program during her time in the role.

In November 2019, the URA appointed Walker as its deputy executive director. She became the first Black woman to hold the position in the organization’s nearly 80-year history.

“Dr. Walker will be profoundly missed in her role as deputy executive director of the URA,” Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey said. “Her vision helped reshape the URA and helped to transform it into an organization that puts the residents of our great city first.”

The URA said her accomplishments included driving the organization’s digital transformation and increasing access to business opportunities and lending support for small, minority- and women-owned businesses. She also advanced the Lower Hill Redevelopment, led the Pittsburgh Land Bank and provided strategic oversight to programs helping residents and businesses struggling during the covid-19 pandemic.

“Dr. Walker’s innovation, leadership and strategic thinking will guide the URA well into the future,” said URA Board Chair Kyle Chintalapalli. “Her vision for the URA impacted the lives of the people of Pittsburgh, she helped to expand safe and affordable housing in our city, and she fought to make sure our small businesses had the resources they needed to recover during the covid-19 pandemic.”

Walker is stepping down to become the founding CEO of a program that the URA said aims to end the cycle of poverty by promoting post-secondary education and support services for single parents and their children. URA officials did not name the organization, but said they would partner with it.

Walker’s last day with the URA will be April 14.