Dharmena Downey
Fenway Community Development Corporation recently hired Dharmena Downey as its executive director.
“I am honored to follow Fenway CDC’s impressive group of executive directors,” Downey said. “I look forward to building many strong relationships in the Fenway community.”
Fenway CDC’s former Executive Director Carl Koechlin left the CDC in June to become the executive director of South Shore Housing Corporation. Koechlin served the Fenway for 12 years, and was celebrated at a November event at the Susan Bailis House. Previous FCDC executive directors include Barbara Burnham and Founding Director Mathew Thall.
Downey has recently been interim executive director and formerly chief operating officer at Asian CDC in Boston’s Chinatown. She has served on the board and is the current board chair at Neighborhood of Affordable Housing in East Boston. Her previous positions include director of housing for the City of Somerville and executive director of the Marblehead Arts Association. She resides in Gloucester.
“We are pleased to announce that Fenway CDC has hired the fourth executive director in our history,” stated Joanne McKenna, board chair, “ Dharmena comes to the Fenway with many years of experience in community development and public service. We are thrilled to welcome her to the Fenway”
Downey’s first official day of work with FCDC will be February 22nd but she will be attending some CDC meetings and events before that.
