Kimberly R. Lyle is a visionary leader advancing impact finance and affordable housing development with an unwavering commitment to social and economic equity in partnership with historically underinvested communities. Having grown up in affordable housing and experienced firsthand the transformative impact of community-based support programs, Kimberly brings both professional expertise and personal understanding to her work of ensuring everyone has the opportunity to thrive and realize their potential.
As Chief Executive Officer of Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation (DBEDC), Kimberly leads a powerhouse Boston-based organization that combines the reach of a community development corporation (CDC) with the financial impact of a community development financial institution (CDFI). Under her leadership, DBEDC’s dynamic $229 million portfolio includes 900+ affordable rental homes, 40,000 square feet of thriving commercial space, a $2 million microenterprise loan fund energizing local entrepreneurs, and $11 million in operating revenue.
Colleagues and partners know Kimberly for her incisive wit, unwavering persistence, and remarkable ability to see connections that others miss. These qualities, combined with her grit and strategic thinking, have proven invaluable in navigating complex development projects and creating innovative financing solutions that meet community needs.
Known for challenging the status quo, Kimberly has positioned DBEDC at the forefront of equitable development and inclusive economic opportunity creation. She honors the organization’s deep community roots while pushing boundaries to tackle today’s pressing challenges in housing affordability, economic mobility, and small business empowerment. Her strategic approach combines robust financial stewardship with responsive community engagement, ensuring that DBEDC’s growth directly translates to increased community impact.
Kimberly brings rich cross-sector experience from her previous leadership roles in technology, financial services, and higher education. This diverse background fuels her innovative approach to business operations, organizational strategy, and policy advocacy – always oriented toward measurable impact and lasting change.
Her commitment to mission-driven leadership extends beyond DBEDC. As Board Chair of the Cooperative Fund of the Northeast, she guides a CDFI that empowers worker-owned cooperatives and socially responsible enterprises. She serves as Vice President of the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations and shapes economic development as a board member of the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency. Through these roles, she champions policies and practices that advance equitable access to capital and economic opportunity across the region.
A proud Bostonian whose academic journey reflects her intellectual curiosity, Kimberly holds a Master of Public Policy from Tufts University and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Rutgers University. Her graduate studies in social anthropology at Harvard University deepen her understanding of human-centered development – knowledge she puts into action every day in service of creating more equitable and vibrant communities.
