The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston announced today the appointment of five new members to the Bank's Community Development Advisory Council (CDAC).

"The Community Development Advisory Council brings together thought leaders from community development organizations in New England that help the Bank support efforts in the region,” said Eric S. Rosengren, president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. “I’m ecstatic to kick off a new year and welcome the new members to the Council.”

New members of the Council include:

• Connecticut
  Paula S. Gilberto, President and CEO, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut
• Maine
  Kristen Miale, President, Good Shepherd Food Bank
• Massachusetts
  Yves Salomon-Fernández, President, Greenfield Community College
• Rhode Island
  Jessica David, Executive Vice President of Strategy & Community Investments, The Rhode Island Foundation
• Vermont
  Nancy Owens, President, Housing Vermont

Standing members of the Council include:

• Connecticut
  Alicia Woodsby, Senior Policy Advisor, Partnership for Strong Communities
• Maine
  Claude Rwaganje, Executive Director, Community Financial Literacy
  Nicole Witherbee, Ph.D., Chief Program Officer, The John T. Gorman Foundation
• Massachusetts
  Sheila Harrity, Superintendent, Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School District
  Tracy Palandjian, CEO, Social Finance
  Jerry Rubin, President and CEO, Jewish Vocational Services
• New Hampshire
  John Flanders, Chief Operation Officer, New Hampshire Community Loan Fund
  Katherine Easterly Martey, Executive Director, New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority
• Rhode Island
  Nicole Alexander-Scott, M.D., Director, Rhode Island Department of Health
  Rachel Flum, J.D., Executive Director, Economic Progress Institute
• Vermont
  William Belongia, Executive Director, Vermont Community Loan Fund

Established by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, the CDAC provides a forum for representatives across the First District to inform the Boston Fed president and community development staff of activities, issues that relate to low- and moderate-income individuals and communities, and barriers to community development in the region. The group also discusses ways in which the Bank can be of assistance to support community development efforts in the region. Members serve a three-year term, committing to attend three meetings per year at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. Council members are asked to share information on general overall economic conditions, current lending conditions, labor markets and employment conditions, and other topics of common interest to the Council and the Federal Reserve System.

CDAC members represent communities that form the backbone of the New England economy. From non-profits that support low-income and rural communities to state and local government from some of the First District's largest cities and towns, CDAC members provide valuable perspectives that help the Boston Fed carry out its mission of public service across New England.

The next meeting of the CDAC will be held on April 8. For more information, visit the CDAC page of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston's website here.