Alia Hamada Forrest is the Director of Business Strategy for the Mayor's Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion. She leads a team of industry managers who support the work of attracting new businesses, retaining and growing existing businesses, and engaging the Boston business community to help build a resilient and vibrant City that centers people and creates opportunities to build generational wealth for all communities. As part of her role, she supported the creation and led the implementation of the S.P.A.C.E. (Supporting Pandemic Affected Community Enterprises) Grant Program, funded by ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act), to fill vacant storefronts with small businesses disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. Alia was also the former Cannabis Business Manager in the department, where she facilitated the strengthening of existing and launch of new cannabis businesses in Boston. Before working at the City, Alia spent six years leading Roslindale Village Main Street as the Executive Director. She was instrumental in the development of the Birch Street tactical plaza, the activation of the Roslindale Substation, and the implementation of many community events including the RVMS Farmers Market and Holiday Market to help create a vibrant commercial district. Additionally, she served on the Board of Directors of the Boston Main Streets Foundation, where she helped fund projects and programs that supported small businesses across all of Boston’s neighborhoods. Alia is also an AmeriCorps alum who served at 826 Boston in Roxbury, supporting Boston Public School students with their writing skills and collaborated with public school teachers on youth publishing projects. She has 10 years working in the nonprofit sector in various roles of program management, community engagement, and economic development. She has a passion for arts and culture, poetry, creative placemaking, and supporting entrepreneurs.

Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, Alia came to Boston in 2003 to attend Emerson College and has lived in the city ever since.  Alia lives in Hyde Park with her husband and their two young children.