Stephen joined the Boston Fed to lead the Working Communities Challenge initiative in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. For the last 25 years, Stephen has been consulting across the country to economic development and community processes in rural areas, small cities, and metro regions. Within that work, he has had special focus on talent development, private sector engagement, and inclusive economic development strategy. Stephen is a New Hampshire resident, a former legislator, and ran a nonprofit housing organization prior to his consulting work. Stephen’s work has been published extensively in coordination with the Ford Foundation, Aspen Institute, and National Fund for Workforce Solutions on topics including regional economic transformation, community-driven economic development, and business leadership.