25 Over Fifty-Five 2019 Award Winner
SHARON CONARD-WELLS | Executive director, West Elmwood Housing Development Corp.
TO HEAR SHARON CONARD-WELLS tell it, she is merely a conduit for robust collaborations that spur innovative community programs built around affordable housing and related social issues. But the 28-year executive director of West Elmwood Housing Development Corp. always seems to have a hand in successful community projects – which is probably because she is a linchpin for local change and has been for decades.
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Learn More“I love the work,” she said. “It’s more of a mission than even a career.”
Raised in the Bronx, N.Y., the mother of three and grandmother of three has a Rhode Island Minority Police Association Civilian Award, is a YWCA Woman of Achievement winner and was chosen for an Outstanding Leadership in Community Development Award by Rep. David N. Cicilline, D-R.I.
“I may be good at building coalitions, but potential solutions often come from someone else,” said Conard-Wells. “My excitement comes in seeing the solution. I can see a connection with their idea … and we work together to marry it.”
Conard-Wells was named head of the Providence nonprofit in 1991. Under her leadership, more than $115 million has been raised to improve local housing and the community. She’s guided low-income tax credit rentals, adaptive reuses of brownfield historic mills and the creation of lead-safe units.
She’s especially proud of Sankofa Healthy Housing, a $13.5 million affordable development on formerly blighted lots, now connected to Sankofa Community Farm.
Dunamis Synergy is a new West Elmwood Housing initiative geared toward parents or expectant parents who are ages 15 to 25 and pursuing an education.
Being nimble is a key to Conard-Wells’ success, as is creative use of resources.
“Some say a glass is half full or half empty,” she said. “I just see something in the glass I can use. Even if there is only air to breathe, there is something in that glass.”