Leaders & Achievers 2022
MICHELLE WILCOX
President, Crossroads Rhode Island
NEARLY 30 YEARS into her career at Crossroads Rhode Island, Michelle Wilcox still feels working at the organization is the best of both worlds.
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Wilcox, president of the Providence-based nonprofit that provides housing and homeless services to those in need, has helped guide and direct Crossroads as it evolved from Travelers Aid in downtown Providence to its present location in the Crossroads tower high above Interstate 95 at 160 Broad St.
“I love housing and I love development, and I’m so fortunate to be able to bring them together; doing meaningful work that has a direct benefit to others,” Wilcox said.
Wilcox is driven by Crossroads’ mission, which has evolved over the years. “Every person deserves a safe place to live,” she said, “and there’s no reason why we can’t make that available to everyone.”
The focus at Crossroads has recently changed from providing temporary shelter to creating long-term housing solutions for Rhode Islanders.
‘I love housing and I love development, and I’m so fortunate to be able to bring them together.’
“It may be different for each of us,” she said, “but the idea is to create spaces that people – individuals, families – are happy to call home.”
That attitude carries through to Wilcox’s leadership style, which she strives to continuously improve and develop. In her current role at Crossroads, Wilcox directs the organization’s internal operations, programs and physical assets, such as adult and family shelters, housing, case management programs, facilities management, and asset development and construction. She effectively managed the growth of the program and housing assets budgets from $5 million to $13.4 million and a staff of more than 175 full-time employees.
Wilcox recognizes that she doesn’t do it alone. None of it is possible without the support of a well-prepared and motivated team. She is particularly appreciative of her front-line crew who continued to propel their mission forward, even during the past two years when faced with the challenges brought forth by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Every person at Crossroads is critical to our success, no matter what their role is,” Wilcox said. “We wouldn’t be able to do the work that we do without them.”
