Brenda McKenzie, previously a development official in Chicago and an executive at Starbucks Coffee Co., has been named the new director for the Boston Redevelopment Authority's economic development division.
During 11 years with the city of Chicago, McKenzie was the deputy commissioner of the Chicago Planning and Development Department, and also worked for the Chicago Department of Housing, the city's Housing Authority and its office of Budget & Management. McKenzie also has owned and operated her own real estate consulting firm.
Just prior to taking the Boston job, which she is set to begin in July, she has been managing government and external affairs in the corporate social responsibility division of Starbucks.
The BRA's economic development division oversees the city's real estate development review process.

McKenzie has a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration/marketing from the University of Illinois-Urbana and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Illinois-Chicago.