Terra Neilson

Terra Neilson serves on Beneficial State Bank's senior leadership team. As the Chief Impact Officer, Terra supports the mission of Beneficial State Bank through the development, evaluation, monitoring, and reporting of the Bank’s social impact and environmental outcomes. Her top priority is to ensure the Bank’s work delivers on our commitment to invest in and serve our local communities, contributes to environmental sustainability, nurtures people in an inclusive, fair, and equitable manner, and promotes responsible and transparent practices.

Terra most recently came from U.S. Bank, where she launched the bank's first Impact Measurement and Management team. This team was responsible for structuring impact strategy, evaluating outcomes, and conducting research in the fields of renewable energy, affordable housing, and community investment. She previously was the program manager for USBCDE, where she developed the first-ever racial equity impact strategy, recruiting an empowered advisory board and securing over $200M in federal tax credits since its launch. She also spent time closing complex financial transactions as a tax credit Project Manager. Prior to working with U.S. Bank, Terra served as a Director for a nonprofit service center for youth experiencing homelessness, was a research and evaluation consultant, spent time with the Gates Foundation, and consulted with local nonprofits and businesses. She also assisted in writing and editing the textbook Financial Capability and Asset Building in Vulnerable Households and was an adjunct professor in Community Development History and Practice.

Outside of work and study, Terra and her partner are foster parents, biological parents, and dog parents. Based out of Portland, Oregon, she enjoys backpacking, gardening, knitting and cooking. Terra received a bachelor's degree in Social Work and Sociology and received an MBA and Masters of Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis.