Johns Hopkins executive Alicia Wilson makes history at JPMorgan Chase

Alicia Wilson has built a reputation as one of the most well-known economic development executives and activists in Baltimore. From a humble beginning, the Black executive has broken barriers and opened doors for many Black women.

She currently serves as the vice president for economic development and community partnerships at Johns Hopkins University and the Johns Hopkins Health System. Before joining Hopkins, she served as the Senior Vice President of Impact Investments and Senior Legal Counsel for the Port Covington Development Team. In addition, she was also a partner at the law firm of Gordon Feinblatt for eight years.

Wilson will be leaving Hopkins at the end of this year for the JPMorgan Chase philanthropy team. She will be head of North America for regional philanthropy for JPMorgan Chase, making her the first Black woman to occupy the position, according to AFRO American newspapers.

She is leaving Johns Hopkins University with an enviable record after overseeing several transformative initiatives. According to the university, she was in charge of the HopkinsLocal program, which extended help and support to minority-owned businesses. She leveraged her expertise as an attorney to help Baltimore residents clear past offenses from their criminal records through expungement clinics.

Essentially, Wilson “helped lead the ‘university’s and medical system’s strategy and initiatives as an anchor institution in Baltimore, helping expand their investments in economic and neighbourhood development, health care and education,” according to The Daily Record.

At JPMorgan, Wilson will oversee philanthropy in 40 different North American markets and will also help to manage JPMorgan Chase’s philanthropic pledge under its larger $30 billion racial equity commitment, Baltimore Business Journal reported.

“I am thrilled and excited to join JPMorgan Chase as the new head of regional philanthropy for North America. I look forward to working alongside a dynamic team of leaders to drive transformative impact across the U.S. and Canada,” said Wilson. 

“I have been blessed to witness the impact of JPMorgan’s commitment on families and communities across Baltimore, the Greater Washington region and in communities across the country. I am so excited to be able to help drive those strategies as a part of the JPMorgan team.”

Wilson has a background in political science and law. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and a law degree from the University of Maryland’s Francis King Carey School of Law.