Brenda J. Clement to Serve as Director of HousingWorks RI at Roger Williams University

With over 20 years of experience, Clement is an expert in the affordable housing and community development issues facing Rhode Island and Massachusetts

Public Affairs Staff
Portrait of a woman alongside the Housing Works RI logo.

PROVIDENCE, R.I.  After a thorough search for new leadership, Roger Williams University has appointed Brenda J. Clement to serve as Director of HousingWorks RI at Roger Williams University.

Clement has over 20 years of experience in housing and community development. She previously served as Executive Director of Citizens' Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA), a non-profit umbrella organization for affordable housing and community development activities in Massachusetts; Executive Director of the Housing Action Coalition of Rhode Island, a statewide affordable housing advocacy organization; and Executive Director of the Housing Network, the Rhode Island trade association for community development corporations. Clement is also a founding member of the New England Housing Network and currently serves on the Board of the National Low Income Housing Coalition as Chair.

“HousingWorks RI at Roger Williams University continues to research and analyze housing affordability in the state of Rhode Island while diversifying their portfolio and addressing different topic areas,” Clement said. “I’m delighted to be working with the HWRI staff, and look forward to making further connections in the public policy field.”  

Clement holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and economics from Providence College and a Juris Doctor from Washington College of Law at American University. She succeeds Nicole Lagace, the organization’s former Director.

“Brenda Clement is exceptionally well prepared to assume leadership of HousingWorks RI. Notwithstanding her years of experience leading organizations dedicated to the creation of affordable housing, she remains as passionate as ever in her search for solutions,” RWU President Donald Farish said. “Roger Williams University’s mission is to strengthen society through engaged teaching and learning, and Brenda is the ideal person to lead HWRI at this point in its history. We are delighted that she has decided to return home to Rhode Island.”