Hawkins named Providence’s new chief policy officer

COURTNEY HAWKINS has been appointed the new chief policy officer for the city of Providence, Mayor Jorge O. Elorza announced recently. / COURTESY MAYOR'S OFFICE
COURTNEY HAWKINS, director of the Department of Human Services, resigned from her post on Thursday. / COURTESY MAYOR'S OFFICE

PROVIDENCE – Courtney Hawkins is the city’s new chief policy officer.
Mayor Jorge O. Elorza announced Hawkins’ new appointment on Aug. 5.
Her responsibilities include overseeing Providence Talks, a free early childhood intervention program, as well as the city’s sustainability program, Health Communities Office, workforce development programs, partnerships and education policy. She also will serve as a senior adviser to the mayor.

“Courtney is a proven leader who has dedicated her career to helping nonprofits and governments provide services that build strong neighborhoods and communities,” said Elorza in prepared remarks. “Courtney and her team have led a turnaround of Providence Talks and I am excited for her to play a greater role in my administration and in programs that matter to residents.”

Hawkins is a Rhode Island native who received her undergraduate degree from the University of Rhode Island and received her master’s degree in social work from Columbia University. Her background includes serving as the executive director of Providence Talks since May 2015 and serving as senior vice president at FEGS Health & Human Services, a New York City-based human services agency.

In Hawkins’ absence, Caitlin Molina will serve as the new executive director of Providence Talks.

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Molina has a degree in early childhood education and has served as deputy executive director of Providence Talks since 2014. Previously, she worked for Meeting Street as an early intervention educator, taught seventh grade math at Gilbert Stuart Middle School and served with AmeriCorps.
Providence implemented Providence Talks after winning the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ inaugural Mayors Challenge and receiving a grand prize of $5 million.
The Mayors Challenge is an ideas competition that encourages cities to generate innovative ideas that solve major challenges and improve city life – and that have the potential to spread to other cities.

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