OneHolyoke CDC Announces Nayroby Rosa as Executive Director

HOLYOKE — OneHolyoke Community Development Corp. (CDC) recently hosted its second annual Building & Sustaining Livable Communities event, which featured a keynote address by Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll.

The organization used the occasion of the event to announce that Nayroby Rosa, chief operating officer for OneHolyoke CDC, has been elevated to the position of executive director. The announcement was made by outgoing Executive Director Michael Moriarty, who has been at the helm of the organization since 2013. Moriarty, who is a lawyer, will continue to serve OneHolyoke as legal counsel going forward.

Rosa, who has been at OneHolyoke since 2018, previously served as director of Community Engagement and Resident Services and, most recently, as chief operating officer for the organization. A longtime community leader and advocate, she brings more than 15 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, community engagement, and organizational development. Her promotion reflects OneHolyoke CDC’s commitment to developing strong internal leadership and investing in leaders who are deeply rooted in the community.

The symposium, held on June 29 at Wyckoff Country Club, centered around innovations in public safety and convened local leaders, public safety officials, and community members to explore collaborative approaches to safer, stronger neighborhoods. Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia welcomed attendees, and stat Sen. John Velis was also present, along with Holyoke City Council members.

OneHolyoke CDC kicked off the event with a video that shared the organization’s vision for a safer and revitalized Churchill neighborhood in Holyoke. Driscoll recognized Moriarty for his years of service to OneHolyoke and as a leader in early literacy advocacy with a citation from Gov. Maura Healey.

The symposium also featured a presentation by Matt Perkins and James Stark from the Local Initiatives Support Corp., home to recognized experts on crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED). The representatives shared their expertise on community engagements and improvement planning, as well as their upcoming work with OneHolyoke CDC to develop a neighborhood blueprint based on CPTED principles.

Ed Caisse was also recognized for his impact through the Holyoke Safe Neighborhood Initiative (HSNI), and OneHolyoke announced that one of its residential properties, located at 589-591 South Bridge St., next to Morgan School in South Holyoke, is now named in his honor. Caisse retired earlier this year after more than three decades with the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department and HSNI.

The event also featured a presentation by First Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Fitzgerald on the Hampden County District Attorney’s Emerging Adult Court of Hope program, a specialized, collaborative program launched in partnership with Roca Inc. and designed to give young adults ages 18-24 facing serious criminal charges a second chance through intensive support and judicial oversight.

Prior to serving as executive director of OneHolyoke CDC, Moriarty attended law school and taught in Holyoke for five years, teaching Latin, English, and social studies. As an attorney, he has also taught at Middlesex and Holyoke community colleges. A lifelong resident of Holyoke, he also served for 13 years on the school committee and was instrumental in the formation of the Holyoke Early Literacy Initiative. He has also been a vocal advocate for arts education.

Moriarty also served on the Massachusetts State Board of Education for 10 years, during which time he chaired the state’s early literacy subcommittee and was a member of the budget subcommittee and commissioner evaluation committee. He was also an active member of the National Assoc. of State Boards of Education’s early literacy working group.