Commonwealth Land Trust welcomes two new board members

 Commonwealth Land Trust welcomes two new board members

Organization also expands Leadership Team with new Director of Development & Communications 

BOSTON, MA – Commonwealth Land Trust (CLT) has expanded its Board of Directors with two new additions: Ithzel Polanco-Cabadas and Darrell C. Byers. Both members – nominated and accepted in June and July respectively – bring diverse experience in the housing and development sectors, particularly on a grassroots community level. CLT also recently welcomed Tara DeSisto as its new Director of Development and Communications.

"Darrell and Ithzel each bring important and complementary experience that will make our Board stronger," said Iva Comey, President and CEO of Commonwealth Land Trust. "Ithzel brings deep affordable housing development expertise, while Darrell brings significant experience in nonprofit leadership and philanthropy. Both have dedicated their careers to building stronger communities, and they understand what is required to help organizations grow while staying true to their mission. I am excited to welcome them to Commonwealth Land Trust and look forward to working together as we continue expanding affordable housing and supportive services across Massachusetts."

The CLT Board of Directors is responsible for the organization's governance, financial stewardship, and long-term strategic direction. Working closely with CLT's leadership team, the Board helps ensure the organization continues to expand affordable housing and supportive services that enable individuals and families to achieve lasting housing stability across Massachusetts. Board members contribute expertise in areas including housing, finance, law, healthcare, real estate, and nonprofit leadership to support CLT's long-term growth and impact.

Ithzel Polanco-Cabadas is a Senior Real Estate Project Manager at Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation (JPNDC), where she leads the development of affordable, equity-centered housing. She brings over a decade of experience in affordable housing development and administration in the Greater Boston area. Prior to joining JPNDC, Ithzel spent five years as a Real Estate Project Manager at 2Life Communities, where she led the $43 million expansion of Golda Meir House in Newton, the $37 million development of Leland House in Waltham, and the start of construction on an $83 million, 150-unit affordable senior housing development in Lynn.

Earlier in her career, she managed the City of Somerville's Inclusionary Housing Program and began her affordable housing career at MetroHousing Boston administering Section 8 vouchers and the Family Economic Stability Program. Ithzel holds a BA in International Studies from Lock Haven University in Pennsylvania and an MPA in International Development from Tsinghua University in Beijing, China.

Darrell C. Byers is a nonprofit executive with more than 20 years of leadership experience in organizational strategy, fundraising, governance, and financial management. He most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of Interise, where he led the organization's post-pandemic turnaround, transformed its business model, and strengthened relationships with major philanthropic partners, including MacKenzie Scott's Yield Giving and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Throughout his career, Darrell has helped mission-driven organizations navigate periods of growth and change while securing transformational philanthropic investments for institutions including the University of Massachusetts Boston, GBH, Georgetown University Medical Center, Harvard Graduate School of Education, and Earthjustice.

In addition to his executive leadership, Darrell brings extensive governance and financial oversight experience. He was appointed by Governor Deval Patrick to the board of the Massachusetts Health & Educational Facilities Authority (now MassDevelopment) and has served in leadership roles with the Urban College of Boston Foundation, the Partnership for Financial Equity, the Association for Enterprise Opportunity, and the Holy Cross Alumni Association. A frequent speaker on nonprofit leadership and governance, he received the Eleanor Collier Award from CASE District I for distinguished service to the educational advancement profession. Darrell holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the College of the Holy Cross. His experience scaling mission-driven organizations and building philanthropic partnerships will support CLT as it continues expanding affordable housing and supportive services.

CLT also recently strengthened its leadership team with the addition of Tara DeSisto as Director of Development and Communications.

Tara DeSisto serves as Director of Development and Communications at Commonwealth Land Trust, where she leads the organization's fundraising, communications, and community engagement efforts in support of its mission to create and preserve affordable housing across Massachusetts. She brings more than 15 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, philanthropy, strategic communications, and public policy, having held leadership and research roles with organizations including the New England Legal Foundation, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, and UMass Boston. Throughout her career, she has worked to build strategic partnerships, strengthen nonprofit organizations, and connect people and resources to advance meaningful community impact. She earned a bachelor's degree in political science and international relations and served at the Student Trustee at the University of Massachusetts Boston.