Providence Foundation’s Wood: A Healthy Downtown Belongs to Everybody

Saturday, June 24, 2017

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Cliff Wood

The Providence Foundation's new Executive Director Cliff Wood spoke with GoLocal News Editor Kate Nagle about taking the helm from outgoing director Dan Boudoin, projects in the pipeline, and his vision for the civic organization that has played a major role in shaping the state's capital since 1974. 

"It's about bringing more people [downtown], whether or they live here, per say," said Wood. "Use the public spaces, shops, use the culture, have it be theirs."

Wood was named to the position on Thursday. 

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Ned Handy, chair of The Providence Foundation said, “We are excited about Cliff’s appointment as executive director and enthusiastic about his ability to lead this important organization forward into the next chapter. Cliff’s varied experience in building strong and vibrant communities, his vision for Providence and his ability to drive big ideas to the finish line will serve the Foundation well.  I thank the search committee for their time and diligence and eagerly look forward to working with Cliff.”

Wood comes to the executive director position with extensive experience in creating smart and productive spaces that create opportunities for growth. Most recently, he served eight years in dual roles under the Foundation’s umbrella leading efforts to preserve, enhance and program public space as the director of the Downtown Providence Parks Conservancy and steering public policy advocacy with government officials and agencies, nonprofit organizations and businesses.  Previously, he was involved in real estate and development as a member of the team at Cornish Associates, Buff Chace's real estate firm.

Wood served as a member of the Providence City Council where he was deputy majority leader and was noted among other achievements for his advocacy leading to the rehabilitation of the Nathan Bishop Middle School. 

Wood also served as the first-ever director of the City of Providence’s Office of Arts, Culture and Tourism under the administration of former Mayor David Cicilline after serving as the mayor’s deputy chief of policy.  In addition, he served as a coalition coordinator for the US Climate Action Network in DC.  He is vice chair of the Providence Redevelopment Agency and was a member of the Providence Police Advisory Board. Wood notably was a co-creator and producer of Sound Session, a downtown music festival focused on diversity in music and of the First Works Arts Festival. Wood graduated with a Masters of Arts in Environmental Science and Policy from Clark University and with a B.A. in from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Albany.

 

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