Communities First, Inc., is pleased to announce its recent hire of Renee Kent, who has joined the staff as Special Projects Manager. In this role, she is responsible for facilitating CFI’s Detroit program expansion, overseeing a portfolio of real estate transactions in Flint and Detroit and engaging community members in transformational activities that improve promote healthy, vibrant communities.
Renee has been in the community development field for over 15 years, closing and underwriting more than $126 million in loans. Prior to joining CFI Renee worked for PNC and National City Bank managing lending and equity investing activities that target funding for affordable housing and economic development initiatives to revitalize and stabilize low to moderate income communities throughout the state of Michigan.
Renee holds a bachelor's degree majoring in accounting from Eastern Michigan University; she received her Housing Development Finance Professional Certification from the National Development Council and is a graduate of Leadership Oakland LOXXVII and Leadership Detroit XXIX. Renee is also a humble recipient of the Michigan Chronicle’s Women of Excellence Award.
Renee is proud of the impact that her work makes in the community and seeks to affect greater positive change through participation on the board of Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation, Living Arts, and membership on community task force coalitions and loan committees for community, government and corporate initiatives. Renee is a passionate volunteer throughout her community; she participates in AriseDetroit, Girl Scouts, Junior Achievement and various financial education programs.