RIHousing Names Carol Ventura as Executive Director

Providence, RI –

RIHousing’s Board of Commissioners today announced Carol Ventura as Executive Director of RIHousing. Ventura has been serving as Interim Executive Director since March 2019.

“Carol’s vast experience at RIHousing, and in community development, is an asset for the state,” said Governor Raimondo. “I am excited about what’s next for RIHousing under Carol’s leadership and am confident in her ability to continue creating jobs, homes and thriving communities.”

For nearly twenty years, Carol has helped Rhode Islanders access housing opportunities in her roles at RIHousing as Deputy Director, Director of Development, overseeing all aspects of development financing activities, and Assistant Director of the Policy Division. Previously, Carol worked as the Executive Director of a Community Development organization in Northern Rhode Island.

“No candidate was more well versed in RIHousing’s priorities and operations than Carol,” said Nicolas Retsinas, Chair of the RIHousing Board of Commissioners. “Her ideas for expanding RIHousing’s reach and impact are ambitious and will be crucial as the corporation continues to grow and innovate in the years to come.”

The move comes after a search committee, comprised of Board members and representatives from The Executive Office of Commerce, conducted an extensive national search following the departure of Barbara Fields in March 2019.

“I have seen Carol’s expertise in action and am glad that she has agreed to take on this important leadership position,” said Stefan Pryor, Secretary of Commerce for the State of Rhode Island. “With Carol in the Executive Director role, we look forward to evolving our own efforts in the housing and community development area.”

The corporation recognized another record-breaking year in 2018, including an overall economic impact of $780 Million in the state and the corporation’s highest mortgage volume in its history. RIHousing financed the development and preservation of 773 apartments, representing an investment of $139 Million in Rhode Island communities. These developments supported 1,291 jobs.

“I’m honored for the opportunity to serve RIHousing in a greater capacity and to continue pursuing our mission to help Rhode Islanders buy, keep, rent, and build homes,” said Carol Ventura, new Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director of RIHousing. “For the past two decades I have worked alongside RIHousing’s dedicated staff to help Rhode Island homebuyers, fund the creation and preservation of affordable homes, and strategically collaborate to move our state forward. Under Governor Raimondo’s leadership, RIHousing will continue to support Rhode Islanders through investments in housing development, homeownership, rental assistance and other programs.”

Ventura is a life-long Rhode Islander, holds an MBA from Bryant University, a BS in Business Administration from Bryant College and lives in Glocester with her family.

###