With over 36 years of community development and banking experience, Deirdra Cox, Founder and President of Community Sustainability Enterprise, (CSE) leads the Georgia based 501c3 in their impactful regional community development work. CSE’s mission is the socioeconomic transformation of of low-income/high potential communities one generation at a time, through strategic cross collaborative programming, in partnership with School Based Public Private Partnerships and Affordable Housing communities, that leads to next level self-sufficiency, and wealth building. Deirdra has dedicated the past 14 years of her career focused on cross-collaborative partnerships and evidence-based programming that drives positive socioeconomic outcomes in underserved communities.
Deirdra’s uncanny knack to forge impactful collaborative partnerships to drive local community and economic development efforts, has resulted in School Based Public Private Partnerships in Georgia, that produced 2 in-school full service financial branches, that are run by high school students. CSE’s Workforce Development programs boasts a 92% hire and retention rate among our program graduates, and 100% completion rate of all CSE “success service” pillars among the thousands of youth and adults we educate, coach and empower.
Deirdra is an accomplished public speaker, author, blogger and mother of two adult children. She can be found at the beach during times of rejuvenation, preparing for her next people and policy shifting community and economic development journey. Deirdra believes that what you’ve been through, doesn’t define your destiny, but it gives you strength, courage and wisdom to fulfill your destiny.