As the new director of operations for Neighborhood Preservation, Inc. (NPI), Judith Maina will get a chance to demonstrate her conviction that neighborhood eyesores can become attractions.
NPI is a Memphis-based nonprofit agency that promotes neighborhood revitalization. It collaborates to develop practical and sustainable resolutions to blighted properties and to the systems that lead to the widespread neglect, vacancy, and abandonment of real estate.
The organization’s focus is on policy advocacy and on implementing and documenting replicable, comprehensive neighborhood improvement projects.
Maina recently was announced as director of operations. She brings 13-plus years of community development and research administration experience to NPI, where she will be responsible for managing the day-to-day operations necessary to ensure that the organization achieves its objectives.
“I am excited to be part of the NPI team and its network of partner organizations and community advocates,” Maina said. “By collaboratively developing practical and sustainable resolutions to blighted properties and to the systems that lead to widespread neglect, vacancy and abandonment of real estate, communities are restored, and neighborhood eyesores are transformed into attractions.
“The possibilities are endless, and I’m looking forward to helping to make that happen.”
Maina previously worked as the project coordinator for the East and Mediterranean Region at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and as the associate housing director at the LeMoyne-Owen College Community Development Corporation. She has managed varied nonprofit funding portfolios that include federal, nonfederal, foundation, and/or industry sources.
She earned a bachelor’s degree from The LeMoyne-Owen College and has a Master of Science Degree in Community Economic Development from Southern New Hampshire University.
“Judy adds a wealth of experience and expertise to our team, which will help to support organizational growth and enhance impact for NPI,” said Steve Barlow, president of NPI.
“With her leadership and management of our operational procedures and activities, we will be able to greatly expand our involvement in Memphis neighborhoods, working collaboratively on community-led solutions for eliminating blight and repurposing vacant properties.”
(For more information, visit Inc. at NPImemphis.org.)
