Pine Street Inn is proud to announce that President and Executive Director Lyndia Downie was recognized by the University of Vermont (UVM) with their 2020 Alumni Achievement Award during their “Celebrating Excellence” ceremony for her work with the nonprofit.
The “Celebrating Excellence” ceremony, which was a part of UVM’s alumni weekend, recognized three graduates from the university, and Downie was the sole recipient of the Alumni Achievement Award. Downie has worked with Pine Street Inn for over 35 years, serving in her current role as President and Executive Director since 2000. As a result of her leadership and vision, Pine Street Inn is now the largest provider of permanent supportive housing for men and women moving out of homelessness in New England.
“It is an honor to be acknowledged by the University of Vermont. The education I received during my time there played a pivotal role in my life and career decisions,” said Lyndia Downie. “I am truly touched by this recognition and honored to be placed among those who have previously received this award.”
A former environmental science major, Downie has served on an alumni board for the university.
Downie oversees a $65 million budget and services provided at 40 locations throughout Greater Boston, supporting close to 2,000 individuals each day, with programs including street outreach, emergency shelter, permanent supportive housing and job training.
In addition to her work at Pine Street Inn, Downie regularly serves as a policy advisor at the city, state and federal levels. She serves on City of Boston Mayor Martin Walsh’s Advisory Council on Homelessness and was a member of the task force that helped shape the City of Boston’s plan to end veteran and chronic homelessness. She also serves on a number of policy advisory committees to the state’s Executive Office of Health and Human Services, as well as a number of committees and boards, including the Massachusetts Council of Human Service Providers and the Massachusetts Housing & Shelter Alliance. She was named a Barr Fellow through the Barr Foundation’s program to honor nonprofit leaders, and has co-taught a course on solutions to homelessness at the Harvard Kennedy School.
Previous accolades include Top 100 Women Leaders in Massachusetts award from the Commonwealth Institute/Boston Globe; the Massachusetts Council of Human Services’ CEO Award of Excellence; Henry L. Shattuck City Champion Award from the Boston Municipal Research Bureau; “Most Innovative Person in the Massachusetts Non-Profit Sector” by The Boston Globe; the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Pinnacle Award; New England Women’s Leadership Award; Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from Mt. Ida College; Honorary Doctor of Humanities Degree from New England Law Boston; and an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree from William James College.
For more information on Pine Street Inn, please visit pinestreetinn.org.