Jeanne Cola, Senior Executive Director
Jeanne Cola serves as Senior Executive Director of the Rhode Island office of Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), a position that she has held since 2011 when she moved to that role from Board Chair and President of the Local Advisory Committee for the organization. LISC is a national non-profit community development financial institution that combines philanthropic dollars, technical advisory support and investment capital to aid the recovery of underserved communities. As a non-profit financial intermediary, LISC provides financial support and technical assistance for mission-driven initiatives that revitalize communities in inner-city and rural areas nationwide.
Since opening in 1991, LISC Rhode Island has invested $529 million to produce more than 10,140 affordable homes and more than 2.2 million sq. ft. of commercial and community spaces in the state. Under Cola’s leadership, LISC has invested $96 million in the Rhode Island economy in just the past four years, launched a Housing is Healthcare initiative and secured a $4M grant from Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, and pivoted to introduce new programs to support both community and local businesses as our state weathered the pandemic. The Rhode Island office also has a robust practice area that focuses on early learning and child care facilities, has invested funds to benefit more than 6,000 children in our most economically underserved areas, and is working in partnership with the State to distribute the Early Learning and Child Care Facilities bond that was approved by the voters in March, 2021.
Cola brings nearly 30 years of experience in housing and community development to her work at LISC Rhode Island. Prior to her role as Executive Director, Cola was Senior Vice President, Director of Community Investment at Citizens Bank, a position she held for 15 years. Previously, Cola held various positions within Citizens mortgage banking division.
Currently, Cola chairs the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston Advisory Council, is chair of the Bond Distribution Committee for the state’s Affordable Housing Bonds, and is a member of the Statewide Planning Commission. Previously, Cola has served as chair of the Housing Resources Commission where she managed the implementation of the Building Homes Rhode Island program which created nearly 1700 units of housing in 30 communities across the state.
Throughout her career, she has received numerous professional awards and recognition including being named by Providence Business News a 40 under 40 honoree and named a 2018 Business Woman Award winner. Cola received the Key to The City award from Education in Action, the Senator Jack Reed Advocacy Award from the RI Coalition for the Homeless, and the Sarah Frances Grant Award from the YWCA. Under Cola’s leadership, LISC Rhode Island was awarded the Business Excellence Award in 2018 for Excellence at a Non-Profit. Cola has a degree in business administration and management from Rhode Island Collage, has completed the Executive Leadership Program at Babson College, and is a graduate of Leadership Rhode Island.
