FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Community Works Rhode Island
401-273-2330
Community Works Rhode Island Announces New Leadership As It Completes Merger
Carrie M. Marsh, AICP is hired as Executive Director as the newly formed organization transitions to offices at 693 Broad Street in Providence, RI.
November 19, 2008, Providence, RI The Board of CommunityWorks RI is pleased to announce that Carrie M. Marsh has been hired as the first Executive Director of the community development corporation. CommunityWorks RI was formed by the recent merger of the Elmwood Foundation and Greater Elmwood Neighborhood Services (GENS). Ms. Marsh started in the position on October 20, and immediately undertook the final stages of the organizational merger, and the consolidation to offices at 693 Broad Street in Providence, RI.
Carrie M. Marsh, AICP brings eighteen years of expertise in innovative urban design, land use planning, real estate development, organizational development and civic leadership to the role.
Board President Maryclaire Knight said “the Board of CommunityWorks RI has chosen a leader whom we believe will bring the passion, persistence and enthusiasm that is needed to forge strong relationships within the staff, stakeholders and the wider community. The Board welcomes Carrie as a partner to steward the success of this organization.”
The Elmwood Foundation and Greater Elmwood Neighborhood Services (GENS) served Providence’s Elmwood neighborhood for over 30 years, and undertook numerous community development initiatives, created nearly 1,000 units of affordable housing and mixed use development, and invested more than $60 million in the local community.
The merger is intended to create efficiencies of operation, and open opportunities to expand statewide to areas currently underserved by community development corporations. Ms. Marsh will oversee the final integration of these two highly recognized organizations, and initiate the strategic planning process necessary to establish future goals.
Ms. Marsh stated, “I have great respect for the excellent work of the organizations that have joined together to form CommunityWorks RI. I am excited about the opportunity to work with an exceptional staff and committed Board of Directors, to establish an organization focused on the regeneration of urban neighborhoods throughout Rhode Island.”
She says “I believe that there will be a strong leadership role for CommunityWorks RI to play in the current economic climate, to mitigate impacts and create opportunities in the state’s urban neighborhoods. My goal is to work with the organization to create models of innovative development and collaborative partnership that will lead to safe, stable and sustainable neighborhoods throughout Rhode Island.”
Ms. Marsh recently served four years as the Urban Designer for the City of Portland, Maine. She previously spent ten years in Providence, where she worked for Cornish Associates on innovative development initiatives in the city, and as the Project Planner for the Mashpee Commons project on Cape Cod. As a consultant, Ms. Marsh completed the Master Plan for the West Broadway Neighborhood for the WBNA and Rhode Island Housing.
Ms. Marsh was a founding board member of The Steel Yard, and an advisor on the reuse of Monohasset Mill. She advocated for the conversion of the Eagle Square Mills to a mix of uses, rather than demolition. Ms. Marsh served as a President of the West Broadway Neighborhood Association, and was on the Board of the Providence Preservation Society Revolving Fund.
CommunityWorks RI is located at 693 Broad Street, Providence, RI 02907, 401-273-2330, contactcwri@communityworksri.org.
Community Works Rhode Island is an affiliate of NeighborWorks® America.
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