Meet the Board Member: Carol Nixon

This month, we interviewed Rialto board member Carol Nixon. Carol has decades of experience in economic development, having worked with municipalities around the country and with organizations like the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust. Read her interview to learn about the power of large-scale community investments and how projects like the Rialto are poised to transform the surrounding area. 

What is your connection to Westfield, and how did you first get involved with the Rialto?

I was in preschool when my family moved to Westfield back in the 1960s. My earliest memory of getting together with neighborhood friends was when a group of us saw The Sound of Music at the Rialto. I had my first few dates with my high school sweetheart at the Rialto. Later, when I moved back to Westfield after being away for nearly 25 years, I went to the movies with my son. I watched movies at the Rialto for over 50 years. 

I was sad when it closed. I knew that the Rialto was a gathering place for young people. It was a place that fostered independence in kids and where families could share an experience. So when I heard that a non-profit group purchased the historic theater, “to create a community gathering space for creating, experiencing, and enjoying art in many forms,” I was excited for its future. When the organization presented a program to update the community on its plans to apply for the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJ EDA) Cultural Arts Facilities Expansion (CAFE) program, I was confident that I could help them achieve their mission.

In my previous role as Vice President and Director of the New York Office for the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust (HIT), I oversaw NMTC investments in New York and New Jersey. When I heard that New Jersey’s EDA had developed the new CAFE program, I saw the Rialto as a perfect fit for this program. I felt that I had the expertise to help the organization secure approximately 80% of the total development cost.  

You’ve spent more than 30 years developing and financing affordable housing and economic development projects across the country.  What first drew you to this work?

As a kid, my father and I would go to new construction open houses and look at the new housing stock in Westfield. I moved to Boston in 1980, and within a few months of my arrival, construction on Copley Place began. As the project materialized, many South End communities started to gentrify. As a young student, I saw the neighborhoods changing, and families of color and immigrant families being forced out of their neighborhoods. I thought that if I could go to graduate school in real estate finance, I would be able to demystify the housing development process for people living in communities like those in the South End.  

After working as an accountant, I pursued an M.S. in Real Estate Development and Appraisal Theory to eventually work in affordable housing and urban community development. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin's class of 1990 as the only African-American to graduate that year and 1 of 3 women in the class. It was lonely, but I had a mission.  

At age 28, I moved to Milwaukee, WI, where I worked for Wisconsin Partnership for Housing Development as a project manager consulting to non-profit groups, and serving as an underwriter for the Partnership's loan fund and equity fund. My main project was with New Covenant Baptist Church, an African-American church in North Milwaukee. I then moved to Los Angeles to open an office for California Housing Partnership to consult with the City of Los Angeles on rebuilding its affordable housing stock after the LA riots. 

Throughout my career, I’ve always found a common thread with the people I’ve met and worked with: they want a safe place to live and raise their family.

Over the course of your career, you’ve overseen impressive large-scale investments.  What have those experiences taught you about the long-term impact thoughtful development can have on a community?

I always strive to develop a project with the intention that it will last for at least 100 years. My goal is to deliver large-scale development that enhances the neighborhood while addressing the community's current and future needs. I have developed or financed projects in several cities across the country, including Baltimore, Washington, DC, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Newark, Boston, New Orleans, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Compton, Camden, New Brunswick, and New York City. I recognize that I am a visitor, and my role is to facilitate development. Therefore, it is crucial to listen to the community, as they often have the best understanding of their needs and the project's vision.

From your experience working on projects that have shaped neighborhoods and local economies, what do you think makes a place feel truly transformative? 

It ultimately comes down to the concept of “pride of place.” People naturally gravitate to welcoming, comfortable, and hospitable environments where they feel a sense of belonging and safety. Every place has its own unique spirit or vibe, and when that vibe is inviting, people are likely to return. What I love about the Rialto is that every time I enter the building, it feels like I’m receiving a warm embrace. Ultimately, if the developer creates a space that makes the community feel comfortable and appreciated, the project will succeed, allowing the entire community to thrive. 

Why did you feel compelled to support the Rialto Center for Creativity? 

When I was growing up in Westfield, we had several community art events that enriched our lives. While I ultimately chose a business career, it is the arts and music that brought me peace. While I was working long hours in Milwaukee, I called my mother to express my need for a creative outlet. I began visiting galleries and museums in Milwaukee and started collecting African art. The arts are essential to humanity today because they foster empathy, creativity, and critical thinking. They provide a vital, nonverbal language for processing complex emotions. Beyond individual well-being and stress relief, the arts bridge cultural divides, strengthen communities, and document our shared history, offering diverse perspectives necessary for an evolving world. In my youth, Westfield provided a community rich in the arts. Today, we must honor Westfield's legacy by fostering a vibrant arts scene at its projected new hub, the Rialto Center for Creativity, when it opens its doors in 2029.

How do you see the Rialto Center for Creativity contributing to Westfield’s economic and cultural landscape?

The Rialto Center for Creativity will serve as a significant economic engine for the town by generating foot traffic for surrounding businesses and enhancing local quality of life, thereby attracting new residents and investments. This cultural venue aims to transform downtown Westfield into a destination, serving as an anchor that draws in both residents and tourists. Patrons of the Rialto Center for Creativity will dine at nearby restaurants, enjoy coffee, and shop at local retail stores. Currently, there are very few places in Westfield where large groups can gather. 

When you imagine the Rialto Center for Creativity a few years from now, what are you most excited to see happening inside? 

I can't wait to see the gallery filled with art exhibits. I'm excited about the possibility of enjoying live music, hanging out, and listening to young people at events like a poetry slam. I also hope to attend programming like film festivals and lectures. I'm always eager to learn something new and have always appreciated great live music.

About the Rialto Center for Creativity

The Rialto Center for Creativity is transforming Westfield’s historic Rialto Theater into a vibrant hub for cultural conversation, live performances, and hands-on learning. 

The Rialto Center for Creativity is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c )(3).