Search Success: Anusha Venkataraman Joins ONE Neighborhood Builders as Managing Director of Central Providence Opportunities!

ONE Neighborhood Builders and Pillar Search and HR Consulting are excited to share that Anusha Venkataram has joined ONE Neighborhood Builders as their new Managing Director of Central Providence Opportunities: A Health Equity Zone. She brings nearly two decades of experience in community development, policy, and organizing, to state’s leading community development corporation.

PROVIDENCE, RI – ONE Neighborhood Builders (ONE|NB) named Anusha Venkataraman, the former executive director of the New York City Racial Justice Commission, as the organization’s first Managing Director of Central Providence Opportunities: A Health Equity Zone (CPO-HEZ), an initiative focused on advancing health equity and economic mobility in the 02908 and 02909 zip codes in Providence.

“Anusha is a seasoned expert in community development, policy, and organizing, and we are thrilled that she has returned to Providence. As ONE|NB looks to further strengthen our foundation as a community-centered impact organization, we knew we needed to find a leader with a track record of building community trust and getting results,” said ONE|NB President and Executive Director Jennifer Hawkins.

With a background in urban planning, Venkataraman’s work has focused on community development, public policy, civic engagement, political organizing, and the arts. Previously, she served as the Executive Director of the NYC Racial Justice Commission, where she steered a public process of reviewing the city’s charter, resulting in three successful ballot initiatives advancing racial equity.

“Across my career in grassroots organizations, nonprofits, and in city government, I have seen what is possible when community members are empowered to drive action,” said Venkataraman. “I am excited to make my return to Providence—a city I am deeply passionate about—and help lead this initiative with ONE|NB in addressing the systemic barriers to health and economic equity in Central Providence and collectively building a stronger future.”

Before leading the NYC Racial Justice Commission, Venkataraman held positions in the NYC Office of the Mayor, including Chief Service Officer and Senior Advisor to the Deputy Mayor for Housing & Economic Development, as well as in the NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development. She also worked with the community organization El Puente in Brooklyn on a neighborhood-wide health and sustainability initiative. Venkataraman started her career in Rhode Island’s nonprofit sector, including as an AmeriCorps VISTA member at the Steel Yard in Providence.

The Managing Director provides strategic leadership and capacity to Central Providence Opportunities: A Health Equity Zone, which brings together residents, more than five dozen community-based organizations, health professionals, local businesses, elected officials, and others to address root causes of health disparities and to improve neighborhood conditions.

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) established Health Equity Zones (HEZs) in 2015 to improve community health in areas that need it most. HEZs are collaboratives of residents, community organizations, health professionals, and others who come together to address the root causes of health disparities. The HEZs work to ensure every neighborhood has a fair and just opportunity to be healthier. This work requires removing obstacles to health such as poverty, discrimination, racism, and their consequences, including insufficient access to good jobs with fair pay, quality education, affordable housing, safe environments, and healthcar

As Managing Director of CPO-HEZ, Venkataraman will oversee ONE|NB’s work with community partners and residents who have been working for nearly a year to develop a vision for Central Providence. ONE|NB and its partners will culminate this planning work on Monday when they unveil the Central Providence Roadmap, with a vision to ensure that all residents of Central Providence will live healthy, stable lives and be empowered to impact the conditions in their community.

Venkataraman earned a master’s degree in city and regional planning from Pratt Institute and a bachelor’s in international relations from Brown University.

ABOUT ONE NEIGHBORHOOD BUILDERS:

ONE Neighborhood Builders (ONE|NB) is a nonprofit community development leader in Rhode Island that is expanding its work to the broader Greater Providence area while maintaining its deep roots in its historic home of Olneyville. ONE|NB’s mission is to develop affordable housing and engage neighbors to cultivate healthy, vibrant, and safe communities. Since its founding in 1988, then as Olneyville Housing Corporation, ONE|NB has developed 466 affordable apartments; 130 for-sale homes for low- to moderate-income homebuyers; and nearly 34,000 square feet of commercial and community space—totaling more than $135 million of investments. ONE|NB is the convening entity of Central Providence Opportunities: A Health Equity Zone, which brings together residents, more than five dozen community-based organizations, health professionals, local businesses, elected officials, and others to address root causes of health disparities and to improve neighborhood conditions. As the convener, ONE|NB is the backbone organization of this collective-impact initiative to increase economic mobility for residents in Central Providence. ONE|NB also created the first free community wireless network in Rhode Island, providing high-speed broadband to nearly 3000 unique users in the Olneyville neighborhood.

ABOUT PILLAR SEARCH & HR CONSULTING:

A woman-owned business and Certified Diversity Recruiter based in Boston, Pillar Search & HR Consulting provides executive search/recruiting and human resources consulting expertise to nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, working with senior leaders and the boards of directors to hire and develop the very best talent across all functional areas of the organization. For more information about Pillar, please visit www.pillarsearch.com.

Successful Search! Zalima Oliver Joins Volunteer Lawyers Project as Director of People & Culture

Volunteer Lawyers Project and Pillar Search & HR Consulting are proud to announce the appointment of Zalima Oliver to the role of Director of People and Culture. Zalima joined Volunteer Lawyers Project on August 23, 2021.

As Director of People and Culture, Zalima will manage all aspects of Volunteer Lawyers Project’s Human Resources function, assess organizational needs, and champion, promote, and guide Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion processes and initiatives. Zalima will partner strategically with Volunteer Lawyers Project’s leadership team to shape employee relations strategies and practices and ensure appropriate employee development and opportunities for advancement.

Zalima brings extensive human resources experience and expertise to her role with Volunteer Lawyers Project. Most recently, Zalima was the Director of People and Culture with YouthBuild USA. Prior, she was the Human Resources Manager at Pharmalogics Recruiting and Human Resources Director at Madison Park Development Corporation. Earlier human resources leadership roles with leading nonprofit organizations included Urgent Care Centers of New England, International School of Boston, Lutheran Social Services, and Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester,

Zalima has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts.

About Volunteer Lawyers Project: Volunteer Lawyers Project is a nonprofit organization based in Boston. For over forty years, Volunteer Lawyers Project has strived to give equal access to representation for the people of Greater Boston, standing up for those who are from lower income households and in need of legal aid. Their efforts are propelled by a strong team of volunteers including attorneys, paralegals, and law students from all segments of the legal community. These vital volunteers work together with the entire dedicated staff of Volunteer Lawyers Project.

About Pillar Search & HR Consulting: A woman-owned business based in Boston, Pillar Search & HR Consulting provides executive search/recruiting and human resources consulting expertise to nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, working with senior leaders and boards of directors to hire and develop the very best talent across all functional areas of the organization. For more information, please email Cindy Joyce at cindy@pillarsearch.com or visit www.pillarsearch.com.

Search Success! Kris Wuerdeman Joins Cooperative Elder Services as Program Director!

Search success! Pillar Search and HR Consulting is pleased to announce the placement of Kris Wuerdeman as the new Program Director of Cooperative Elder Services, Inc., where she will be responsible for leading the Groton, MA and Acton, MA centers.

As Program Director, Kris will be responsible for oversight of program operations, providing leadership to and management of the teams in both centers, and agency-wide initiatives and projects, including quality assurance and process improvement.

Kris brings extensive experience in the adult day health field. Most recently, she was the Founder and Managing Director of That Place You Know, LLC, a social adult day program specializing in memory care. Prior, she was a Life Enrichment Manager, Memory Care Specialist, and Certified Validation Teacher for Family Services at Sunrise Senior Living.

Kris received her undergraduate degree from St. Mary’s College of California and her master’s in Human Resources Management, Training and Organizational Development from Golden Gate University. In addition, she is a Certified Dementia Practitioner.

About Cooperative Elder Services, Inc.: The mission of Cooperative Elder Services, Inc. (CESI) is to empower seniors and adults with medical or cognitive challenges to age-in-place by serving their health and socialization needs and providing support for families.

About Pillar Search & HR Consulting: A woman-owned business founded in Boston in 2015Pillar Search & HR Consulting provides executive search/recruiting and human resources consulting expertise to nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, working with senior leaders and boards of directors to hire and develop the very best talent across all functional areas of the organization. To learn more, please contact Cindy Joyce at cindy@pillarsearch.com.