Marsh named first executive director of CommunityWorks RI

Carrie Marsh, AICP, has been hired as the first executive director of CommunityWorks RI. CommunityWorks RI was formed by the recent merger of the Elmwood Foundation and Greater Elmwood Neighborhood Services (GENS). 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 St. Marsh 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 Elmwood Foundation and GENS served Providence's Elmwood neighborhood for over 30 years, and undertook 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. Marsh recently served four years as the urban designer for the city of Portland. She previously spent ten years in Providence, where she worked for Cornish Associates on development initiatives in the city, and as the project planner for the Mashpee Commons project on Cape Cod. As a consultant, Marsh completed the Master Plan for the West Broadway Neighborhood for the WBNA and R.I. Housing. 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. Marsh served as a president of the West Broadway Neighborhood Association, and was on the board of the Providence Preservation Society Revolving Fund.