CRA Staff

ALEX CARDELLE, Project Manager

Alex joined the CRA in July 2023 as a Project Manager. Alex helps execute the implementation of projects that are envisioned in the CRA’s Strategic Plan. Prior to this role, he held various roles for municipal governments throughout South Florida; most recently, as the Deputy Village Clerk of Bal Harbour. While in school, he served as Student Body Vice President at Santa Fe College, wherein he initialized a college-wide initiative that expanded bus service to students. On urban design, he led a finalist team to propose an equitable, mixed-use development for the 2023 ULI Hines Student Competition. In his spare time, he enjoys honing his skills in urban data science, exploring bike trails, and enjoying the vibrant cultural scene of Cambridge. He holds a Master in Urban Planning from the Harvard Graduate School of Design and a B.A. in Political Science and Economics from the University of Florida.

CECELIA COBB, Project Planner

Cecelia joined the CRA in April 2022. In her role as project planner, Cecelia works on the continuing development of Kendall Square as well as projects relating to transportation and public access throughout the City of Cambridge. Her top priorities are incorporating social equity into all facets of the planning process and creating public spaces that serve people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. In the past she has worked in planning, design, and marketing at McMahon Associates, Copenhagenize Design Co., and A Better City. She has a Master’s degree in Urban Planning from McGill University in Montréal, Canada.

JOSHUA CROOM, Project Planner

Joshua joined the CRA in July 2023. In his role as Project Planner, Josh helps provide support to community projects in Kendall Square, the Forward Fund, and other community revitalization initiatives. Having previously worked in city, state, and non-profit (CDFI) spaces, Josh has experience helping to develop community plans, engaging a variety of stakeholders, and conducting extensive research and analysis including feasibility assessments, workforce development, and more. Originally from North Carolina, Josh has called Greater Boston one of his homes for a few years now. Josh is a passionate advocate of inclusion, aging in place, housing affordability, transportation equity, community-led collaboration, community ownership, and building relationships. Joshua has a Masters in City and Regional Planning from the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning at Rutgers University.

TOM EVANS, Executive Director, Records Access Officer

Tom has been the Executive Director of the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority (CRA) since 2013. He has led the CRA through an organizational restructuring and strategic planning process. He is now facilitating infill development projects in Kendall Square and launching new community investment initiatives citywide. Before coming to the CRA, Tom worked at MassDOT where he wrote sustainable transportation policies, notably the state’s GreenDOT Implementation Plan. Previously, Tom served as the Planning Division Manager of the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency, facilitating the planning, adoption, and implementation of signature revitalization plans along the southeast waterfront of San Francisco. He holds a Masters of City Planning from the University of California and a Bachelor's in Environmental Biology.

MATTHEW HELLER-TRULLI, Senior Asset Manager

Matthew Heller-Trulli, Senior Asset Manager at the CRA since 2022, brings a diverse background in architecture and real estate to his role. With a Bachelor of Architecture from Syracuse University and Massachusetts architectural licensure since 2018, Matthew manages the CRA's real estate portfolio, internal assets, and capital projects. He oversees a diverse property inventory including commercial buildings, parks, and undeveloped properties, while also providing internal consultation on asset acquisitions and collaborating with the community investment team. Prior to joining the CRA, Matthew worked as an architect, overseeing both new construction and historic renovation projects throughout the Greater Boston area. His approach combines design expertise with collaborative teamwork, focusing on creating better spaces for the community and shaping the CRA's real estate strategy to serve the local population effectively.

TESS HOFMANN, Senior Project Manager

Tess manages real estate development projects at the CRA, including affordable housing, affordable commercial, and other community-inspired initiatives. She is also a proud Cambridge resident and loves getting to know her neighbors and finding ways to collectively improve the city they share. Prior to joining the organization, Tess was a transactional real estate attorney at the law firm ArentFox Schiff. She has a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law and a dual B.S./B.A. from Boston University in Film and English.

GARDY LAURENT, Director of Finance and Operations, Procurement Officer

Gardy joined the CRA in 2023 as the Director of Finance and Operations. In this role, he leads CRA’s financial, operations and strategic plan. Gardy also oversees the organization’s technology system infrastructure, focusing on enhancing internal systems and procedures. He serves as a member of the Senior Leadership Team involved in strategic planning, program evaluation, and development initiatives. Before joining the CRA, Gardy was the Fiscal & Administrative Manager for the City of Cambridge Traffic, Parking, and Transportation (TPT), where he established the technology group implementation of TPT’s Citywide technology initiatives. He holds a Master of Science in Accounting, a Master of Art in Regional Economic Social Development, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

ALEXANDRA LEVERING, Senior Project Manager

Alexandra joined the CRA as a Project Planner in August of 2017. In her position, she supports the creation and implementation of new community revitalization efforts and ongoing planning work. Alexandra is skilled in geospatial data analysis, visualization and research. She also comes to the CRA with work experience managing community engagement and outreach programs for the City of Cambridge’s Environment and Transportation departments, and infill development rezoning for Ipswich, MA. Prior to moving to the Boston Area, Alex lived in New York City, where she managed construction and redevelopment projects. Alex has a Masters in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning from Tufts University, a certificate in Sustainable Design, Construction and Development from NYU, and a dual B.A. in Geography and the Environment and International Studies from the University of Richmond.

TANIKA MCKENZIE, Communications Manager

Tanika started working at the CRA in July 2024 as a Communication Manager. In her role, she is responsible for developing and implementing the organization's communication strategy. With a solid background in corporate communications, Tanika uses her expertise to create engaging content, handle media relations, and oversee effective communication projects. She has over four years of experience working in leading public relations agencies, a consultancy, and community health organizations. As a first-generation professional, Tanika is dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, and striving to make a positive impact within the community. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from the University of Florida and a Master’s in Public Relations from Boston University.

SABRINA NUÑEZ-DIAZ, Finance Manager

Sabrina was most recently an impact investor with Boston Impact Initiative, assisting in engineering their second Fund, which focuses on investing in social enterprises and community-owned or controlled real estate to prevent displacement in Massachusetts and the Northeast. She also served as the inaugural Chair of the Compass Working Capital's Program Committee, leading efforts and advocacy to expand asset-building opportunities for low-income families of color. She holds a B.A. in community development from UMASS Boston, where her studies focused on the health and economic development of communities like the one where she was raised.

JOEL SMITH, Senior Project Manager

Joel joined the CRA in August 2023 as a project manager. Joel currently facilitates efforts related to Kendall Square, as well as other projects and initiatives within the City of Cambridge. Driven by a vision of resilient communities, he strives to make a lasting impact by fostering economic vitality, preserving cultural heritage, sustainability, and promoting social equity through thoughtful and inclusive redevelopment initiatives. Prior to CRA involvement, he worked in planning, urban design, and landscape architecture at Sasaki Associates, and at the National Park Services. He holds a BLA in landscape architecture from the University of Oregon.

KYLE VANGEL, Director of Projects and Planning

Kyle joined the CRA in 2022. As Director of Projects and Planning, Kyle plays a leading role in implementing the CRA’s strategic plan and works with planning and development staff to advance community development initiatives. Before joining the CRA, Kyle was a Principal at HR&A Advisors, Inc., where he supported clients throughout the United States in developing and implementing real estate and economic development projects and strategies and citywide, neighborhood, and transit-oriented development plans. In this role, Kyle helped the City of Cambridge produce the Economy and Housing elements of the Envision Cambridge citywide plan. Kyle began his career in Cambridge as a Consultant at the management and strategy consultancy Monitor Group (now Monitor Deloitte). He holds a Masters in City and Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Bachelor of Arts in History and Economics from Tufts University.

JON WILLIAMS, Senior Project Manager

Jon manages real estate development projects at the CRA. Before joining the organization, Jon worked for the Metro regional government in Portland, Oregon. He managed projects bringing affordable housing and community-serving ground floor uses to transit-served neighborhoods. After 20 years on the West Coast, Jon is excited to have returned to his Boston area roots and enjoys exploring Cambridge’s neighborhoods on foot and by bicycle.  He holds a bachelor's degree in politics from Princeton University and a master’s degree in city and regional planning from the University of Pennsylvania.

CRA BOARD

MEMBERSHIP

5 members (4 appointed by the City Manager, subject to confirmation by City Council, and 1 member appointed by the State). Only Cambridge residents may serve on the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority. 

MEMBERS

Conrad Crawford, CHAIR (appointment through 6/6/2026) 

Kathleen L. Born (appointment through 6/25/2027)

Joe Camillus (appointment through 11/25/28)

Filo Castore (appointment through 11/25/29)

Barry Zevin, ASSISTANT TREASURER (State appointee through 11/14/24)