Staff

Frank Woodruff, Director 

After serving his Boston community as a Field Operations Manager for the 2010 Census, Frank was excited for the opportunity to join the National Alliance of Community Development Associations in September 2010.  During a time of significant political and economic challenges for community development, Frank saw this as an opportunity to take NACEDA to a new level of success and sustainability.

Having worked in politics and campaigns since 2003, he got his start in the Wisconsin State Legislature, and in 2004 worked in the fundraising office of U.S. Senator Russ Feingold. 

Frank was hired in 2005 as Treasurer and Finance Director for Sam Yoon, the first Asian American to run for elected office in Boston’s history. After Sam won a hotly-contested citywide seat on the Boston City Council, Frank was part of Councilor Yoon’s transition team and worked legislatively with Councilor Yoon at City Hall through 2006. He then went on to join the Campaign Network in 2007, a Boston-based national political consulting firm that specializes in Direct Mail and General political consulting.  Frank developed and implemented a fundraising division of the Campaign Network. It is utilized by candidates across the country including Sam Yoon’s mayoral campaign in 2009, as well as former Cambridge Mayor Denise Simmons, the first African American woman elected Mayor in Massachusetts’ history.

A graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Madison and George Washington University’s Program on Campaign and Political Management, Frank makes his home in Alexandria, VA.

Suzanne Gunther, Communications and Program Associate

Suzanne brings 20 years of experience in housing and community development, beginning at the Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC) of Montgomery County, Maryland. At HOC, Suzanne publicized the benefits of mixed-income housing, managed the public information process for new developments, ran the agency's Good Neighbor Program, directed ground breaking and grand opening events, and managed the county'sannual Affordable Housing Conference.

Prior to joining NACEDA, Suzanne was Senior Associate at Communi-k, Inc., a small public relations and event management firm specializing in affordable housing. At Communi-k, Suzanne publicized affordable housing events and initiatives for clients including the National Housing Conference, Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers, Banc of America Community Development Corporation, and Community Preservation and Development Corporation. She coordinated the National Inclusionary Housing Conference. At Communi-k, Suzanne  also wrote articles for special sections of the Washington Post on everything from finding a job in cyber security to home décor.

A graduate of Johns Hopkins University, Suzanne lives with her husband and two children in Bethesda, MD.