Executive Director
Brenda is the Executive Director of HousingWorks RI at Roger Williams University (RWU). HousingWorks serves a clearinghouse of information about housing in Rhode Island. It releases a yearly factbook and other research to promote dialogue among policy makers about the importance of safe and affordable housing for our state's economic future and for residents' well-being.
Brenda has over 30 years of experience in the housing and community development field. Prior to HousingWorks, Brenda served as Executive Director of Citizens Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) in MA. She previously served as Executive Director of the Housing Action Coalition of Rhode Island, a statewide affordable housing advocacy organization, and as Executive Director of the Housing Network, the Rhode Island trade association for community development corporations. Brenda is also a founding member of the New England Housing Network and served on the Board of the National Low Income Housing Coalition for nine years serving as Chair for her last three years. She recently joined the national community advisory board for Santander Bank.
She has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science/Economics from Providence College and a Juris Doctor from Washington College of Law at American University. She has received many awards and recognition for her work including Providence Business News - 10 most influential leaders in 2025; the Housing Network RI - Francis Smith award in 2017; a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012 from Rhode Island Housing; a Healthy Housing Award from RI Department of Health in 2011 and a Local Hero Award from Bank of America in 2008."