De La Cruz named director of sustainability for city of Providence

Providence, RI Mayor Brett Smiley named Priscilla De La Cruz as the director of sustainability for the city. De La Cruz has 14 years of experience in strategic management and marketing, environmental and climate justice advocacy and coalition building on local, state and national levels.

“I am thrilled to welcome someone as experienced and well respected as Priscilla to our administration,” said mayor Smiley. “Priscilla will help lead the charge to ensure Rhode Island and Providence are climate resilient communities and poised for sustainable growth in the years to come. She brings unique expertise that will foster community engagement, advance key city initiatives, like our Climate Justice Plan and improve the quality-of-life we offer our residents.”

De La Cruz is a life-long Providence resident and previously served as the senior director of government affairs for the Audubon Society of Rhode Island. In that role, she worked to initiate and advance priorities at the state and local level to protect wildlife and Rhode Island’s environment. Before joining the Audubon Society, De La Cruz was the Rhode Island director of the Green Energy Consumers Alliance, where she developed strategic management and oversaw advocacy initiatives. De La Cruz also served as president of the Environment Council of Rhode Island (ECRI).  Under her direction, and working with other policy leaders and partners, the Council launched the Climate Crisis Campaign, playing a key role in advocating for the successful passage of the 2021 Act On Climate legislation.  

“Serving my community in this way is an honor and I am excited to work with the many talented individuals in the Smiley administration to build a better, stronger future for our city,” said director of Sustainability Priscilla De La Cruz. “Together, we will make Providence an equitable model of how communities can adapt to and fight climate change, while enhancing the lives of our residents without leaving anyone behind.” 

De La Cruz will begin her role as director of sustainability on July 12, under the leadership of the chief of policy and resiliency Sheila Dormody.