John Barros, former chief of economic development for the City of Boston and current managing principal at Cushman & Wakefield, will join the Joseph E. Corcoran Center for Real Estate and Urban Action at Boston College's Carroll School of Management as a visiting professional in January 2022.
John Barros
A new initiative of the Corcoran Center, the visiting professional program was established to advance opportunities for students and link them with skilled professionals in the field of real estate and urban action.
Barros is an experienced economic development and real estate professional who recently was named managing principal of the Boston market for Cushman & Wakefield. Between 2014 and 2021, he served as chief of economic development under Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh, stepping down from the position to run for mayor of Boston. Earlier in his career, Barros worked as executive director of the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative, a non-profit group that advocates for local residents and businesses in collaboration with community partners.
“We look forward to our students getting to know John here in the Carrol School of Management and gleaning insights into real estate development, investment, economic development, and public service from his extensive experience and expertise in the field,” said Corcoran Center Executive Director Neil McCullagh.
Barros said he was excited for the opportunity to serve as a visiting professional within the Corcoran Center for Real Estate and Urban Action to help prepare students who have an interest in real estate and economic development.
“The Corcoran Center’s focus on developing real estate professionals and economic development professionals resonates with my personal and professional goals,” said Barros. “I am excited about the opportunity to engage with students and faculty at Boston College and to share the experiences I have had throughout my years of service to the City of Boston.”
Barros earned a bachelor of arts degree from Dartmouth College and a master’s in planning from Tufts University. He is a graduate of Boston College High School.
The Joseph E. Corcoran Center for Real Estate and Urban Action leverages a multidisciplinary approach to cultivate discussions and develop actions that foster community transformation. In accordance with the mission of Boston College, the Corcoran Center aims to develop the next generation of ethical real estate professionals by educating and inspiring students, alumni, and other key stakeholders so they may harness real estate as a catalyst for needed change in areas where the marginalization of vulnerable citizens is most severe and enact broad-scope solutions to neighborhoods of concentrated poverty. To learn more, visit the Corcoran Center website.