Friday, April 14, 2023
Today, Mayor Brett Smiley announced Sheila Dormody as the Chief of Policy and Resiliency for the City of Providence. Dormody is joining the City of Providence with over 30 years of leadership in policy research, development, and advocacy and has been on the forefront of the state’s efforts to address climate change and promote social equity. Mayor Smiley has also hired James Moore as the City’s Director of Inspections and Standards.
“Sheila is a well-known and respected leader in Rhode Island,” said Mayor Smiley. “I am thrilled to welcome her back to the City of Providence where she will play an integral role in the development of policies that address the city’s top priorities including building a resilient city, increasing education opportunities, and improving the overall quality of life in our neighborhoods. Her years of policy leadership will be an invaluable asset to our administration as we make Providence the best-run city in the country.”
Dormody has led critical projects across numerous areas of policy development at the city, state, and federal level, managed highly successful grant and fundraising projects and won a New England Women in Energy and Environment Achievement Award in 2021 for her years of experience in policy advocacy and organizing. In 2014, she served as the City of Providence first-ever Director of Sustainability, helping establish the office and its mission. Most recently, Dormody served as the Director of Climate and Cities Programs for The Nature Conservancy where she led programs to better position Rhode Island to address climate change through innovative greenhouse gas reduction policies, rapid deployment of renewable energy and increased the use of nature-based strategies to improve community resilience. Sheila lives in Providence and graduated from Southern Connecticut State University.
“I am excited to join the Mayor’s team to improve the quality of life for residents in every neighborhood,” said Chief of Policy and Resiliency Sheila Dormody. “This is an incredible opportunity to create a more equitable and resilient future for our community.”
Moore joins the administration with 16 years as a liaison between public and private sectors and expertise in international building codes. Moore holds multiple technical certifications, years of military and corporate leadership training, and his experiences include hazardous chemicals storage and fire safety.