Gwen O'Shea, Community Development Corporation of Long Island

Centereach, NY The Community Development Corporation of Long Island (CDCLI) has appointed Gwen O’Shea as its president and CEO, effective March 27.

As president & CEO of CDCLI, O’Shea will lead a 48-year old community development corporation that serves Long Island and the greater New York metropolitan area with the mission to “invest in the housing and economic aspirations of individuals and families by providing solutions that foster and maintain vibrant, equitable, and sustainable communities.”

O’Shea joins CDCLI from the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island (HWCLI), a not-for-profit umbrella organization that addresses the interests of poor and vulnerable people on Long Island through advocacy, research and policy analysis, organizing community and regional responses, and support to non-profit agencies. She has served as HWCLI’s president & CEO since 2007 and held project director, director of development and policy, and COO positions at the organization for five years prior to assuming her current role.

Under O’Shea’s tenure, HWCLI spearheaded and facilitated a nationally-recognized coordinated effort focused on Super Storm Sandy recovery.

The effort established the Unmet Need Roundtable, which brought more than $ 10 million in collective philanthropic support to communities hardest hit by the disaster, and included the creation of a $1 million bridge loan fund in partnership with CDCLI to support homeowners delayed in rebuilding after the storm. Other accomplishments include initiating and coordinating innovative education, health and nutrition programming on Long Island, resulting in millions of dollars in higher education funding in high-need communities through the “Financial U” project and integrated health and nutrition access to more than 100,000 Long Island households.                                                                                                          

O’Shea has served on the board of directors of CDCLI since 2013. Ms. O’Shea also serves on the board of advisors for the Energeia Partnership, is on the board of trustees for the NuHealth Federally Qualified Health Centers, and was an appointed member of the Governor’s Children’s Cabinet under Governor Spitzer. She was recognized in 2010 by Long Island Business News in its 40 Under 40 Awards program in 2012 in their Long Island’s Top 50 Women program, and received the Public Citizen of the Year Award from the National Association of Social Workers.

O’Shea brings excitement and enthusiasm to her new position: “I am honored for the opportunity to succeed the dynamic leader Marianne Garvin and to continue helping families in our communities achieve their dreams of economic stability. I look forward to collaborating with CDCLI’s committed staff, board and community partners to continue the organization’s long-standing work across Long Island and fulfill our near-term and long-term priorities.”  

CDCLI chairman Jim Coughlan said, “The board of directors is thrilled to welcome Gwen to CDCLI as its incoming President & CEO. She brings a deep commitment to social justice and empowering underserved populations across Long Island, a proven track record of executive non-profit leadership, and extensive experience working with public, private and governmental stakeholders on a range of issues that impact the individuals and families served by CDCLI. We look forward to continuing to revitalize neighborhoods and impact thousands across Long Island under Gwen’s vision.” 

The selection of O’Shea by the board of directors followed a national search to find a successor to long-time president & CEO Marianne Garvin, who plans to retire after nearly 25 years at CDCLI.