Wade S. Norwood

Rochester native Wade Norwood has held leadership positions in the community for more than three decades, including roles in public service, education and health care. In management at Common Ground Health since 2006, Norwood has been central to the nonprofit’s strategic planning process, pushing the organization to become a more effective change agent for all Finger Lakes region residents, especially those most at risk. He also spearheaded the organization’s efforts to engage underserved populations in health improvement, championing the creation of the African American Health Coalition, the Latino Health Coalition and the Partnership for Access to Healthcare, and providing ongoing support for these and other engagement initiatives.

He currently serves as Chief Advancement and Government Relations Officer of the organization formed by the merger of Common Ground Health and Rochester Regional Health Information Organization (RRHIO). Previously he served as co-CEO of this organization, and before that he was CEO of Common Ground Health. The new entity combines RRHIO’s expertise providing a secure information exchange with Common Ground’s data analysis, convening and community engagement expertise to improve health outcomes and advance health innovation.

Norwood’s previous leadership roles at the state and local level include chairing the Finger Lakes COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force, co-chairing the New York State Health Department’s workgroup on health care workforce and co-chairing with Congressman Joseph Morelle the region’s Systems Integration initiative, a cross-sector effort to integrate services and data for families affected by poverty. As a member of the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council, Norwood helps to guide funding for economic-development, job-development and anti-poverty efforts across the region.

From 1990 to 2005, Norwood served as a Rochester City Council member and chair of the council’s Committee on Housing and Community Development. During his tenure, he proposed and developed several new programs in housing, neighborhood development and police oversight.

Since 2009, he has served as an at-large member of the New York State Board of Regents. Responsible for the general supervision of all educational activities within the state, the Regents preside over the University and the New York State Education Department. He also serves as chair of the Committee on Professional Practices, which oversees professional practice policy matters on behalf of the Board.

Norwood has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Campaign for Public Health Foundation’s Rock in the Pond Award; the Monroe County Medical Society’s Edward Mott Moore Award; United Way of Rochester’s Howard Wilson Coles Community Leadership Award; the City of Rochester Black Heritage Committee’s Black Heritage Pioneer Award; the Rochester Black Physicians Network’s Community Service Award; and the Rochester City School District’s Black History Month Gate Opener Award.

A leader in Rochester’s faith community, Norwood is also president and senior pastor at the Holy Jerusalem Spiritual Church. 

Wade Norwood is a graduate of the University of Rochester, where he received his bachelor’s degree in political science. He and his wife, Lisa Hardy Norwood, reside in Rochester’s 19th Ward neighborhood. They have two adult children.