THE TEAM
The Team Behind It All
Williams & Russell CDC is powered by a team that doesn't just work in this community—we are this community. Our leaders are second- and third-generation Portlanders, descendants of displaced families, and lifelong advocates who've dedicated their careers to housing justice, economic empowerment, and Black liberation.
Azalea Renfield
Chief Executive Officer
Azalea Renfield is a woman dedicated to public service and serving communities of color. Azalea champions equity, human rights, housing, and economic development. With over ten years of local government experience serving in various roles such as Community Services Manager, Community Programs Manager, Economic Development and Housing Manager, and Assistant to the City Manager, Azalea truly embraces driving change, leading, and empowering communities of color such as the City of East Palo Alto-where she served the longest. Azalea is passionate about helping kids, seniors, and women of color.
Azalea is the Executive Director of Williams & Russell Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit dedicated to community and economic development. She is responsible for strategic direction and oversees all areas of the organization, including policy, housing and economic development, programs and services, asset management, and partnerships.
Before her executive leadership with Williams & Russell CDC, Azalea founded and served as Executive Director of the United Educators Association for Affordable Housing (UEAAH), a nonprofit that advocates for public school teacher housing. UEAAH (u-ah)is now called United Educators for Housing and Literacy (UEHL), where she still serves on the board of directors, furthering the call to action as a matter of contemporary policy.
Azalea has earned her master’s in public policy (MPP) from the University of the Pacific’s McGeorge School of Law, master’s in public administration (MPA) from the University of San Francisco, master’s in human resource management (MS-HRM) from Golden Gate University; and her bachelor’s degree in American politics and communication from University of California, San Diego. Azalea’s commitment to hard work and determination earned her the honor of being selected as a recipient of the University of California, Washington Center (UCDC) Academic Program in our nation’s capital, Washington, D.C.
Azalea loves her family, friends, and community. Fun fact: she loves to watch Dancing with the Stars and dances Argentine Tango.
