JOEL SMITH
Senior Project Manager

When Joel’s not digging into Kendall Square priorities, he’s literally digging in his garden, where his passion for growth takes root both in and out of the office. Prior to joining the CRA, he honed his expertise at Sasaki Associates and contributed to park and resource management with the National Park Service. Joel is deeply committed to fostering economic development and creating resilient, inclusive communities. He works at the intersection of sustainability, social equity, and economic vitality striving to engage residents and local stakeholders in co-design processes, while promoting green infrastructure and climate-adaptive landscapes. He holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Oregon, where he developed a strong foundation in site planning, ecological design, and sustainable development principles.

As a project manager, Joel oversees two major initiatives,  Kendall Square Stewardship and Rindge Connectivity. In his spare time, Joel enjoys gardening native and edible plants in his urban backyard, fishing along Massachusetts waterways, hiking New England’s scenic trails, and discovering the cultural offerings, restaurants, and neighborhoods of Cambridge and Boston with his kids.