Boston Fed announces new members of 2020 Community Development Advisory Council Boston Fed announces new members of 2020 Community Development Advisory Council

Council provides forum for cross-region conversations about community development needs Council provides forum for cross-region conversations about community development needs

March 12, 2020

The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston on Thursday announced the appointment of six new members to the Bank's Community Development Advisory Council.

The CDAC was established by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston to provide a forum for residents across the First District to discuss issues important to low- and moderate-income people in their communities with the Boston Fed president and the Bank’s community development staff. The group also discusses ways the Reserve Bank can support regional community development efforts.

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. Members serve a three-year term and commit to attend three meetings annually at Boston Fed.

“The CDAC offers real insight into the activities, issues, and barriers related to community development around New England,” said Boston Fed President and CEO Eric Rosengren. “I look forward to meeting the new members and learning from them how policies can continue to support community development efforts that can make a difference for the public.”

CDAC members represent communities that form the backbone of the New England economy. Some come from nonprofits that support low-income and rural communities, others from state and local governments in some of the First District's largest cities and towns. Together, CDAC members represent valuable perspectives that help the Boston Fed carry out its mission of public service across the region.

New council members include:

  • Kyle L. Bennett, director of policy and research, United Way of Rhode Island, Providence, R.I.
  • Erik M. Clemons, president and CEO, Connecticut Center for Arts and Technology, New Haven, Conn.
  • Betty Francisco, general counsel, Compass Working Capital, Boston, Mass.
  • Colleen Quint, president and CEO, Alfond Scholarship Foundation, Portland, Maine
  • Christiana Thornton, president and CEO, The New Hampshire Higher Education Assistance Foundation Network Organizations, Concord, N.H.
  • Natalicia Tracy, executive director, Brazilian Worker Center, Boston

Standing members of the Council include:

  • William Belongia, executive director, Vermont Community Loan Fund, Montpelier, Vt.
  • Jessica David, executive vice president of strategy & community investments, The Rhode Island Foundation, Providence, R.I.
  • Yves Salomon-Fernández, president, Greenfield Community College, Greenfield, Mass.
  • Paula S. Gilberto, president and CEO, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut, Hartford, Conn.
  • Kristen Miale, president, Good Shepherd Food Bank, Auburn, Maine
  • Nancy Owens, president, Housing Vermont, Burlington, Vt.
  • Tracy Palandjian, chief executive officer and co-founder, Social Finance, Boston

For more information, visit the CDAC on bostonfed.org.