Chief Operating Officer and Chief of Staff

Tania Hartford rejoined MassDevelopment in January 2021 as the chief operating officer and chief of staff. Tania previously worked at MassDevelopment between 2007-2016 as both vice president of community development in the northeast regional office and later as director of real estate services serving municipalities throughout the Commonwealth.

Prior to coming back to MassDevelopment, Tania worked as a development manager for RCG LLC, a real estate development and investment firm based in Somerville where she focused on strategic planning and development of current assets and new acquisitions. Earlier in her career, Tania served as the economic development program director with the City of Salem, Mass., community development senior planner with the City of Newton, Mass., and in various positions within the Michigan House of Representatives.

Tania holds a MA in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning from Tufts University and a BA in International Relations/Environmental Policy from Michigan State University. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).

Tania resides with her family in Newburyport where she serves as a member of the Newburyport Planning Board, the Essex County Habitat for Humanity Site Selection Committee, and leads a local Girl Scout Troop of incredible young women as a member of the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts.